Reforming cases with live primer

[ptf18]

Fellows: I resize 22-250 brass to 6mm250. I have 100 22-250 cases that have live primers in them. Would like some input on how I should handle this situation. I would like to anneal the necks prior to reforming the neck to 6mm.

I'm thinking I could: 1) "kill" the primers some how... maybe in a light oil bath. Then deprime the case

2) fire the empty but primed 22-250 case in my 6mm250 rifle. then deprime the case

Other ideas?

Thanks,

ptf18

 

[Preacher]

DEPRIME THEM BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK OF ANNEALING THEM !!!!!!!
No need to shoot them, just deprime them normal way.

 

[spclark]

"Firing" them empty is safest route for sure.

I've routinely punched out live primers using a Wilson primer punch & case base (admitting there's a bit of risk in this) yet never had one touch off. No reason to think Preacher's suggestion won't work too.

Done with care & with nothing to interfere with the cup backing out - and safety glasses over your eyes - risk is minimized. Just use light taps with your hammer, or slow & easy stroke on your press handle.

 

[Shynloco]

ptf18,
Deprime all the casings first. And don't even think about annealing a primed casing. You can reload those same primers afterwards and it'll have little effect other than they'll be a little easier to seat. I've done it hundreds of times in taking casings apart, both my loads as well as commercial loads.

 

[RonAKA]

I would resize the neck without annealing and then use them. Second choice would be to deprime the live primers with a press. Push slow and easy on the lever, and wear gloves, jacket, ear protection, safety glasses, and a face shield. I've done it without incident, but you never know for sure.

 

[Defty]

I would resize the neck without annealing and then use them. Second choice would be to deprime the live primers with a press. Push slow and easy on the lever, and wear gloves, jacket, ear protection, safety glasses, and a face shield. I've done it without incident, but you never know for sure.

 

[rardoin]

Another + for depriming as usual....just don't slam the case upward into the decap pin. You don't have to baby it either.

 

[Fotheringill]

T'aint worth the risk of eyesight or bystanders for a $.03-.05 savings per primer.

Fire them live or very slowly decap with a ram. And wear the glasses.

 

[Defty]

Several YEARS ago I used the tap hammer and Primer punch system. WORKED great. Then one day the Primer SMARTLY placed itself into my little finger.

Learned to kill the primer FIRST. Fire (EMPTY case) or use Liquid wrench.

 

[savagedasher]

You have 3 choices and only you can make it
1. Shoot them 100% safe
2 push them out
3 leave them in .
Your choice good luck
Larry

 

[ptf18]

Thanks Fellows. Wearing safety gear, I'll carefully deprime them.

 

[ptf18]

T'aint worth the risk of eyesight or bystanders for a $.03-.05 savings per primer.

Fire them live or very slowly decap with a ram. And wear the glasses.

On second thought....after reviewing your post.... for the .05 price of the primer..... maybe I'll just fire them off.

 

[PDS]

At what temperature will a primer go off?

 

[jonbearman]

I have deprimed over a couple thousand live primers and never even came close to having an accident. The trick is to come down on the primer in a press and don't just slap it into the primer. Gentle and then push it out. Just wear safety glasses and you should be fine. Everyone gets so excited over such a simple operation that is more common than we admit. I got a load of ammo from a fella that reloaded for the cops and friends. His reloads were sloppy at best with a lot of high primers from using some military brass to just plain sloppy assembly. I had to pull down over a thousand rounds to save the brass and use the bullets for plinking. I am here and not a problem.

 

[leatherstocking]

I have deprimed over a couple thousand live primers and never even came close to having an accident. The trick is to come down on the primer in a press and don't just slap it into the primer. Gentle and then push it out. Just wear safety glasses and you should be fine. Everyone gets so excited over such a simple operation that is more common than we admit. I got a load of ammo from a fella that reloaded for the cops and friends. His reloads were sloppy at best with a lot of high primers from using some military brass to just plain sloppy assembly. I had to pull down over a thousand rounds to save the brass and use the bullets for plinking. I am here and not a problem.

 

[tenring]

I have deprimed over a couple thousand live primers and never even came close to having an accident. The trick is to come down on the primer in a press and don't just slap it into the primer. Gentle and then push it out. Just wear safety glasses and you should be fine. Everyone gets so excited over such a simple operation that is more common than we admit. I got a load of ammo from a fella that reloaded for the cops and friends. His reloads were sloppy at best with a lot of high primers from using some military brass to just plain sloppy assembly. I had to pull down over a thousand rounds to save the brass and use the bullets for plinking. I am here and not a problem.

I do as you do Jon. Couple years ago, I annealed 20 pieces of brass with the propane torch and turning socket, then dropping them in a tin pan. I thought all were deprimed, but I missed one, and when it hit the pan, it detonated. The primer rocketed into my left wrist, but fell way. Ouch, that was painful. Glad it wasn't my eye. Gene

 

[John Russell]

At what temperature will a primer go off?

585° F

 

[noload]

At what temperature will a primer go off?

Just as soon as you are done annealing it will go Bang.

 

[normmatzen]

LEE makes a very inexpensive universal de-capping die.

End of story!

 

[Shaggy357]

I have unprimed many cases myself....very carefully....and still know it is a STUPID practice. If the primer does go off, where is it going to go? On my RCBS press, right back toward me. If you have a way to contain the primer if/when it goes off, that could be a saving grace. Flash in a universal die is going to go up, then down and out. Keep your hands away and wear your glasses. Flash in a standard sizing die will follow the primer as it accelerates out. Hot and fast toward.....? It only takes one accident to cause injury or blindness.....so that $5 per 100 for the cost of the primers seems awfully minuscule all of a sudden......Safety glasses when reloading is a must. Think of all of the possibilities and choose the safest route.

Steve