Primers backing out of empty brass

[David LaPell]

I took apart some .41 magnum handloads tonight so I could recover the bullets and reuse the brass. I don't know who loaded them, but every empty round I drop the hammer on to detonate the primer on gets jammed up and the primer back out half way. I have another 40 or so to pop the primers on.

 

[David LaPell]

I took apart some .41 magnum handloads tonight so I could recover the bullets and reuse the brass. I don't know who loaded them, but every empty round I drop the hammer on to detonate the primer on gets jammed up and the primer back out half way. I have another 40 or so to pop the primers on.

 

[Smith&Winchester]

David,
That's what primers DO in empty brass....the flash hole is small enough that pressure from the primer going off wants to push the primer out of the case. When you shoot wax bullets, or rubber bullets, you have to drill the flash holes out as large as practical to keep the primers from doing what yours are doing and tying up the works. When a loaded round goes off in normal shooting, the pressure of the round against the bullet forces the brass back against the breech face, which keeps the primer in place. (even if it has to stretch to get there as in high pressure rifle rounds )
I know you aren't "supposed" to, but I just carefully deprime any unwanted primers. I wear safety glasses whenever I'm awake....and when doing primers, ear protection would probably be in order.

 

[dg101win]

The primer backing out upon firing is normal. When the powder ignites the pressure drives the case rearward and reseats the primer.
If you are not planning on using max loads have you considered just leaving them in there and adding your powder and bullet?
Just my opinion,they should be safe if a mid range load or lower is used.

 

[Beans]

If you are not planning on using max loads have you considered just leaving them in there and adding your powder and bullet

I whole heartly agree. "Popping" the primers is just a waste of primers.

Sometime you can buy new primed cases, In reality this is the same thing. You may have to rebell the case mouths if you are to reload lead bullets.

FWIW If it makes you feel safer about your reloading then go ahead and "Pop" them.

I don't shoot reloads (including mine) that I am not 100% confident in.

 

[44forever]

If you don't want to use the seated primers, after removing bullet and powder spray the inside of the csae with WD-40 to kill the primers and then deprime normally. Be sure to clean and dry cases throughly before loading.

 

[walnutred]

Originally posted by 44forever:
If you don't want to use the seated primers, after removing bullet and powder spray the inside of the csae with WD-40 to kill the primers and then deprime normally. Be sure to clean and dry cases throughly before loading.

Yeah, that will kill the primer all right. And IF you can get ALL the WD40 out of the case AND the chemical you use to remove the WD40 as well, you may not have any powder contamination on your next loads.

If I wanted to remove live primers I'd just use a depriming die on my turret press.

 

[Noah Zark]

Originally posted by walnutred:

Originally posted by 44forever:
If you don't want to use the seated primers, after removing bullet and powder spray the inside of the csae with WD-40 to kill the primers and then deprime normally. Be sure to clean and dry cases throughly before loading.

Yeah, that will kill the primer all right. And IF you can get ALL the WD40 out of the case AND the chemical you use to remove the WD40 as well, you may not have any powder contamination on your next loads.

If I wanted to remove live primers I'd just use a depriming die on my turret press.

Yes, WD40 is murder on primers, and if you elect to kill them with that product, I would recommend a good washing in hot soapy water with plenty of Dawn or Simple Green to remove any residual WD40 solvent, followed by triple hot rinsing with clean hot water each rinse. Use a strainer or collander and shake the washed and rinsed cases to remove most water, then bake on a cookie sheet at 200F for 20 mins to dry any residual moisture. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature before icing. Enjoy!

Noah

 

[screenname]

I found all this out the hard way. I had a primer I messed up while reloading 38 special so I decided to pop it for fun, mistake. The revolver cylinder froze in place when the primer backed out. Luckily the hammer was able to move back enough to drop on the primer and push it a little. Lesson learned.

 

[Spotteddog]

NORMAL
Did it, felt like a dope (paraffin bullets)
Hogged out flash holes, went away. Made me feel twice as dumb?