Is it safe to remove live primers?

[Bill Norris]

As someone mentioned I am far more worried about priming than de-priming simply because de-priming with the correct die at least there is some protection with a steel die and shell holder. A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that he had his first primer go off while priming some 45 cases with a Lee hand primer. Said every primer in the try (about 30) went off and he had some burns and scratches on both hands but nothing more serious. Seemed very glad he was not hurt worse. Said priming tool was destroyed. No clue why or what happened.

 

[bozo699]

As someone mentioned I am far more worried about priming than de-priming simply because de-priming with the correct die at least there is some protection with a steel die and shell holder. A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that he had his first primer go off while priming some 45 cases with a Lee hand primer. Said every primer in the try (about 30) went off and he had some burns and scratches on both hands but nothing more serious. Seemed very glad he was not hurt worse. Said priming tool was destroyed. No clue why or what happened.

That won’t happen with a Sinclair or that style of single priming tool. Glad he was not hurt bad. When I worked at ATK I’ve seen full trays of primers and Rimfire cases go off in the presses, the room where the presses were was maybe 8’ square and high like a clock tower with the roof designed to blow off in the event of a detonation, which did happen a few times in the 7 years I worked there.
Wayne

 

[Bill Norris]

That won’t happen with a Sinclair or that style of single priming tool. Glad he was not hurt bad. When I worked at ATK I’ve seen full trays of primers and Rimfire cases go off in the presses, the room where the presses were was maybe 8’ square and high like a clock tower with the roof designed to blow off in the event of a detonation, which did happen a few times in the 7 years I worked there.
Wayne

Yea I think he is gun shy now about priming cases. Said he was gonna get a face shield and gloves going forward.

 

[bozo699]

Yea I think he is gun shy now about priming cases. Said he was gonna get a face shield and gloves going forward.

Have him contact @Benchrest Braxton , he can set him up with a bullet proof hazmat suit, and don’t forget the prostrate gloves. I imagine anyone would be gun shy when 100 primers go off in your hand…. Seriously Bill I’m glad he’s ok.
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

As someone mentioned I am far more worried about priming than de-priming simply because de-priming with the correct die at least there is some protection with a steel die and shell holder. A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that he had his first primer go off while priming some 45 cases with a Lee hand primer. Said every primer in the try (about 30) went off and he had some burns and scratches on both hands but nothing more serious. Seemed very glad he was not hurt worse. Said priming tool was destroyed. No clue why or what happened.

I think someone posted a Lee hand primer that went off a few years ago on here it was pretty much ruined
Wayne

 

[Bill Norris]

Have him contact @Benchrest Braxton , he can set him up with a bullet proof hazmat suit, and don’t forget the prostrate gloves. I imagine anyone would be gun shy when 100 primers go off in your hand…. Seriously Bill I’m glad he’s ok.
Wayne

Yea, I'm glad he is not hurt bad too. I think he said there was about 30 primers in the tray when he went to prime that case that went off on him.

 

[762willdo]

I get the one on the ram going off but why all the others and how?

 

[Bill Norris]

I get the one on the ram going off but why all the others and how?

Don't really understand either but that's what he said. He also said it didn't go off while he was going in with it but as he was letting the handle relax back is when it went off so it had to be one that was still in the elevator or still in the feeder somewhere.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Have him contact @Benchrest Braxton , he can set him up with a bullet proof hazmat suit, and don’t forget the prostrate gloves. I imagine anyone would be gun shy when 100 primers go off in your hand…. Seriously Bill I’m glad he’s ok.
Wayne

since when is a cordura gunsmithing apron a bulletproof vest anyways, sure, send him my way, happy to help however I can lol

as I said before, 99% of the time I don't wear anything besides my nitrile gloves, it was just to set a good example to the younger crowd. But since I made that video, a few people came to me who said they think twice now about their priming etiquette because of my video. And as funny as it sounds, it even made myself more conscious of it.

No matter how you spin it, priming is dangerous and precautions should be taken, at the very least, something to protect your eyeballs. Sure would suck to lose an eyeball or two from something as trivial as making ammo.

 

[bozo699]

since when is a cordura gunsmithing apron a bulletproof vest anyways, sure, send him my way, happy to help however I can lol

as I said before, 99% of the time I don't wear anything besides my nitrile gloves, it was just to set a good example to the younger crowd. But since I made that video, a few people came to me who said they think twice now about their priming etiquette because of my video. And as funny as it sounds, it even made myself more conscious of it.

No matter how you spin it, priming is dangerous and precautions should be taken, at the very least, something to protect your eyeballs. Sure would suck to lose an eyeball or two from something as trivial as making ammo.

Thanks buddy I knew you wouldn’t let me down!….hey I been busy doing other work and haven’t got to use that new priming tool I bought from ya now I’m scared to use it with out my ppe!…. But the few 44 mag I did prime in it before I got too scared worked flawlessly, thank you!…. May have to hire my priming work done from now on and my shooting too
Wayne

 

[Bill Norris]

Thanks buddy I knew you wouldn’t let me down!….hey I been busy doing other work and haven’t got to use that new priming tool I bought from ya now I’m scared to use it with out my ppe!…. But the few 44 mag I did prime in it before I got too scared worked flawlessly, thank you!…. May have to hire my priming work done from now on and my shooting too
Wayne

LOL

 

[Doom]

As someone mentioned I am far more worried about priming than de-priming simply because de-priming with the correct die at least there is some protection with a steel die and shell holder. A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that he had his first primer go off while priming some 45 cases with a Lee hand primer. Said every primer in the try (about 30) went off and he had some burns and scratches on both hands but nothing more serious. Seemed very glad he was not hurt worse. Said priming tool was destroyed. No clue why or what happened.

Bet it was Federal Primers!

 

[bozo699]

Bet it was Federal Primers!

Why would you bet that?….
Wayne

 

[Thor357]

I want t unload some factory.44 mag rounds that have accuracy problems. Is it safe to us the press to remove the live primers?

Hi, I have removed many primers, mostly from rifle cases (.308/.223). I place a couple of drops of acetone in the primer and then use my Lee de-capping tool. Never had one go off. The acetone makes the primer temporarily inert. Once the acetone flashes off (dries) go ahead and re-use the primers. I've had all of them function just fine afterwards.