Backward Primers

[sledvet77]

I'm new to reloading and have done much reading and reloaded about 600 rounds successfully. I have a problem where i accidentally inserted the primers in backward, so the jell is on the outside. I would like to know how to safely remove the primers or if I should dispose of the cases. I am using a Lee Challenger breechlok and using the Lee auto primer. I now check to see if the primer is facing correctly before seating it
By the way, I am having a blast reloading and it does improve my shooting groups. Also, this forum is fantastic
model 66-2, red dot 2.8, win sp primers...I know, red dot is better for shotguns but we all start somewhere and learn from our mistakes

 

[H Richard]

Hoping you have not yet put in powder and bullet. If so, just resize it, pulling the handle slowly down. Dispose of the primer properly. If you have fully loaded the case, get a impact bullet puller and pull the bullet and powder and then size the case to remove the primer.

 

[M29since14]

I’m not recommending it but I will say I have carefully pushed a few out with a regular sizing die. I never had one go off, but I was ready - powders well away, face shield, ear plugs, gloves, etc. (Yes, I ALWAYS have a fire extinguisher in the loading room.) I don’t view what I did as particularly dangerous but I freely admit I was being careful!

 

[Bayou52]

Agree with the above: raise the ram to the point that the decapping pin just contacts the primer. Then apply very gentle, slow and steady pressure until the prrimer pops out.

 

[rwsmith]

Just keep you head away.....

And PUSH them out with the decapper SLOOOOOWLY. Just in case you may want to wear eye/ear protection. I can honestly say when one of those goes off at close range, it is LOUD!

I've never had a backward on go off when removing. The legs of the anvil that is built in to the primer needs to be supported by the bottom of the primer pocket in order to fire reliably. Not that you CAN'T make it fire if you hit it hard and fast enough.

I've only had one primer go off on me and that was while tapping a Winchester small pistol primer home with a Lee Hand Loader. I don't want to hear a large rifle magnum primer.

 

[Arub01]

As previously stated by others, slow and easy with a sizer die is the way to go. Don't forget eye protection.

I have reused all the backward primers that I have encountered without a problem. They have never failed to go "bang" and successfully set off the charge.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Be oh so careful.

I have probably deprimed thousands of backward and sideways seated primers over the years without incident and reused most of the backward ones. But be careful!

I have a rifle safe, 1/4" steel without a hinged door. Inside all round the opening, about 3/4" from the edge, is some welded steel "rails" 3/4" wide X 1/4' thick. The bottom of the door has a piece of angle iron welded across it. I place the angle iron over the steel "rail" across the bottom, rotate the rest of the door so that it sits along the internal steel "rails" then place a circular padlock through a hole near the top edge and into a corresponding hole in a tab welded on the top of the door.

The safe is right next to my .45 ACP press. One day I dropped some primers as I was tipping them into my hand primer and thought I'd picked them all up. Next time I opened this safe, when I went to close the door I jammed a live primer in the bottom of the door and it went off with a very loud bang.

I too use a Lee Hand Prime tool and I have got into the habit of pushing a primer into a case, giving the tool a shake to ensure the next primer feeds, then as I remove the case I check both the primer I have just seated and the next one, to ensure that they are right way up.

Have fun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Eyes and ears and push them out slowly with steady pressure just like said above by many. No gloves or suit of armor necessary, go easy and it will be fine. You can probably reuse everyone of them too.

 

[sledvet77]

Thanks everybody, thats exactly what I thought but wanted to get multiple opinions. Slow and easy is the way i,ve handled all my reloading so far and lots of questions and tons of reading. Glasses, gloves, headfones, and everything else put away was the way i was going and using bthe decapper in the die. Thanks again

 

[sledvet77]

2 primers at .03 cents apiece, I guess i can toss them, but how do I safely dispose of them or make them inactive?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

2 primers at .03 cents apiece, I guess i can toss them, but how do I safely dispose of them or make them inactive?

Primers are difficult to kill, just load them in practice ammo as long as the anvil is still in place, for real the best way to render them safe lol.

 

[joe44va]

To deactivate put them in a zip lock bag, spray in some WD-40 and a little water after.
Zip it, rotate it a bit, toss.

 

[growr]

No need to "Kill" the primer....reseat them properly and fire.

Randy

 

[SLT223]

I’ve had to back out a backwards primer more than once. Just do it slowly with the sizing die and reuse it if the anvil is still there as mentioned above. I never had an anvil fall out. Slowly and gently is the key.

 

[Boogsawaste]

These guys are right about the primers, but I wanted to mention that red dot is a fine powder for target 38 special. Doesn’t always meter consistently at low charge weights though. I still use some and results on target are good.

 

[DWalt]

For many years I have deprimed cases with backward seated primers as described (gently). Haven't had one go off on me yet, I usually re-use the primers if they are not bent or squashed. It is very difficult to kill a live primer, so I don't bother. I have read that the best way to kill primers is to boil them in water. Soaking in oil, etc. usually doesn't work, at least not quickly.

 

[WR Moore]

While I've gently removed backwards primers with the size die, I've gotten more cautious in my old age. I use a decapping die instead. Remember any blast from a detonated primer is going down the ram and the anvil may become a projectile. Wear proper safety equipment. Yeah, the primer is supposed to need a hard whack to detonate/fire, caution never hurt anyone.

 

[max503]

This thread makes me shudder.

Something to remember if you're dealing with primers - THEY MUST NEVER, EVER BE ALLOWED TO ACCUMULATE IN A LOOSE MANNER!!
Primers are packed in trays for a reason. Never allow them to accumulate in a loose manner. Doing so forms a bomb with shrapnel.

 

[gwpercle]

Nothing wrong with Red Dot , good powder and my choice when Bullseye is hiding.
If the primer doesn't pop when you remove it , reseat and use them.
I've done it many times and all shot just fine.
I don't think you can "kill" a primer...they are tough little buggers.
Decapping live primers is not as dangerous as some would have you believe , wear eye and ear protection and do it on a clean bench...you will not be blown up...I've done it with a lot of ammo !
Gary

 

[mtgianni]

To deactivate put them in a zip lock bag, spray in some WD-40 and a little water after.
Zip it, rotate it a bit, toss.

I have soaked primed cases for a week with WD40 drenched primers left upright. When they evaporated all fired, though they were not loaded with powder. The primer noises were similar if not equal to the two not drenched with WD40. 90 weight might do it but if you need to dispose of them shoot them with mild loads and an easy to ignite powder. Make sure your target shows a hole for each shot or be prepared to drive a bullet out if you stick one.