Old Primers

[normmatzen]

A friend gave me a whole bunch of old primers that probably date back to the 60's. Are these O.K. to use?

They have been sealed in a 50cal ammo box their whole life. I have small pistol, large pistol, small rifle and most important LARGE RIFLE!.

 

[2506]

If they have not been subjected to a lot of heat or cold for a long time and they have been kept dry they should be OK.
I have shot some primers that were that old. Try them out. The only thing that could go wrong is they don't go BANG.

 

[GermanS1]

Norm, I recently tested a series of well stored primers that were dated by the previous owner each time he bought them, they were from 1949 through the 1980's. They performed as expected for new primers of their type both as to visual flash and pressure/velocity. I also tested some that were poorlu stored, exposed to high humidity, these were from the late 1960's and were completely unreliable.

Primers should not be stored in an ammo can. While it may keep them dry, it is a bomb in case of fire. Primer containers should be constructed to easily blow apart without allowing pressure to build. Thick wood assembled with short nails,and not too many of them) is ideal. A few wide gaps between the plank would make it perfect.

 

[ericskennard]

I would say beware!!! I had some primers that dated to the 1980's. They were Federal Match. They pierced primers in my .223 even when I loaded them 4 grains below what I use. YES 4 GRAINS. I finally sent some of the spent shells to Federal. They told me that the primer cups had corroded from the inside and weakened the primer cup. They sent me a check for all 3000 primers I had.

 

[Ackman]

In the 80's I got a bunch of pierced primers with NEW Federal Match. These holes were out near the edge and not in the primer strike.

 

[Winchester69]

Primers should not be stored in an ammo can. While it may keep them dry, it is a bomb in case of fire.

How do Tupperware containers or ZipLock bags fare?

 

[GermanS1]

Either of those would be fine from a containment standpoint because they won't allow pressure to build.

However, plastics can, over time, give off chemical fumes that may,or may not) have an effect on primers. Solvents,petroleum based as are plastics) give of fumes that can lead to embrittlement of primers stored nearby causing the type of edge cracking Eric described. Plastics are far less volatile than solvents, so the effect, if present at all, should be much reduced.

I don't think you will see any problems with either of those container types, especially for short to medium-term storage,less than 5 years).

 

[Winchester69]

I don't think you will see any problems with either of those container types, especially for short to medium-term storage,less than 5 years).

Thanks for your input.