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How to remove a flipped primer

Seeking_Coyotes

After probably over 10,000+ rounds reloaded, it just happened to me trying a new priming tool. So, can you please suggest the best way to remove a live primer from an empty rifle case in which the primer went in upside down. This is in a 17 Rem. Fireball case.

Thanks
 
Treat it just like any other case you want to de-cap: lube it up & run it thru your sizing die... SLOWLY... unless (like me) you use it w/o the decapping stem.

Then it's a small hammer & Wilson-style cartridge decapping base & punch.

Good chance it'll come out w/o going off, but I'd still be careful. Ear plugs & safety glasses recommended, along with NOTHING flammable underneath your reloading press.
 
I would decap it like it was fired, but go SLOW. It takes more to set them off than people think.
 
Push it out slowly with your decap die... as above safety glasses (you always wear them right).
 
I have decapped dozens of crimped in corrosive military primers. They are very distorted by the crimp as they are pushed out.
However if they are pushed out slowly they will not go off. Just the same cover the press with something that will stop the flying pieces if you set it off.
Protect your arms and face at all cost. You can even put on boots an apply the pressure to the handle with a foot while leaning way back.
 
I've pressed a few out slowly, over the years without incident but I did prepare for the worst. Soaking it in water for a while might make it safer.

Brian
 
Another one embarrassed to say I've decapped many live primers. Done the same as an expended primer, just moved the press arm very slowly.

In your case, the primer is actually going out the same way it SHOULD have gone in lol . . . pressed by a rod against its base. If there were danger, one would think it would have gone off when you slammed it in from the anvil side :)

A universal decapping die makes the job easy because there is no other resistance than the primer . . . which has very little. But a lubed case in a regular sizing die works the same.

Safety glasses, no loose crap around the press, and don't be standing over it when you do this. Just basic safety.
 
Here is where WD-40 will shine,
give the primer a good shot,
let set over night, then slowly deprime as a normal.

Use proper safety gear.

Tia,
Don
 
I once had a load of new herters 22-250 brass and of course the stuff was old so I didn't trust the primers. There were 450 of them all totaled and pressed them all out with no problem, just did it slowly with safety glasses. I have done many other loads of 30-06 since from the same reloader who passed and he primed crimped cases with everyone sticking out so had to decap them as well. Not one went off.
 
Wow...what a fantastic site. I just checked back hoping I might have received a response and there were many, all very helpful and insightful. Thanks everyone, your input is very much appreciated.

Mike
 
A flipped primer looks more dangerous than a regularly installed primer because you are actually pushing down on the side of the primer that the firing pin normally strike. However, the reality is it is likely to be less dangerous. The reason being that the anvil now is hanging out there and unsupported whereas pushing a normally primed primer you are pushing the anvil against the cap which has the support of the primer pocket. That is not to say that one should not be careful and go slow but I have pushed quite a few of these out too.
 
I would say that if you are concerned about it going off, put a bit of water in it. I had one a couple weeks ago and tried to slowly de-cap it. It went off. No big deal. Just punch it out.
 
Seeking_Coyotes said:
After probably over 10,000+ rounds reloaded, it just happened to me trying a new priming tool. So, can you please suggest the best way to remove a live primer from an empty rifle case in which the primer went in upside down. This is in a 17 Rem. Fireball case.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Nornal decap. Safety glasses. I wrap a towel or rag around the press.
 
ROCKJAG4 said:
TAKE A PICK & POP THE ANVIL OUT ,THEN I USE A TOOTHPICK TO SLOWLEY SCRAPE THE PRIMER MIXTURE OUT.THEN DEPRIME WITH ANY CHANCE OF DETENATION.AS ALWAYS WEAR EYE & HAERING PROTECTION.
Click to expand...
Honestly, this is much more dangerous as you are much more "close and personal" to the primer. Just use a universal deprimer and slowly pop it out...
 
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