primers only

[flac9945]

I have a 686 plus that I use for steel. Question is can I practice using brass with primers only so that my timer can hear the "shots", or will it damage my gun? I practice all the time with snap caps but of course I can't use my timer for that.

 

[Arquebus357]

I employ defanged cartridges all the time for testing. My impression is that corrosive primers are a thing of the past. I do clean the gun after using just as though I was shooting live rounds. I use one of those inertia type bullet pullers.

 

[75Vette]

I don't see it hurting a thing. That's light duty for a 686 compared to a live .357 round.

 

[S&W Rover]

Why not? It is actually a good use of resources -- primers cost $0.03 each. As long as you have a good place to do it. The primers are made with lead styphnate, so the potential lead hazard has to be taken into account. I would not discharge a primer-only "round" indoors (except in a fully ventilated indoor range).

 

[robertrwalsh]

The short answer is YES. Won't hurt a thing.

 

[andy52]

You certainly can and I have to test functions but is has been my experience that primers have the tendency to back out when there's not enough recoil to push them against the recoil plate.

 

[292]

You certainly can and I have to test functions but is has been my experience that primers have the tendency to back out when there's not enough recoil to push them against the recoil plate.

Just drill out the flash holes on a few dedicated casings. Be sure to mark them so that they don't get used for reloading. I have drilled, dedicated casings for gluelets and grits.

 

[BC38]

You certainly can and I have to test functions but is has been my experience that primers have the tendency to back out when there's not enough recoil to push them against the recoil plate.

This is a great point. Wax bullet rounds are a very similar situation.

The pressure of the primer in the pocket can't escape through the primer hole quickly enough and this causes the primers to back out and bind up the cylinder. In order to keep that from happening, you need to drill out the primer holes larger.

When making brass for wax bullets, I drill mine with a 1/8" bit and that leaves just enough of a bottom to the primer pocket to keep the primer from seating too deeply, but still allow the pressure of the primer to freely vent into the case.

 

[Toolguy]

You can, but you have to drill out the primer flash hole bigger to keep them from backing out and binding up the gun. Drill the holes smaller than the primer pocket to leave a good ledge for the primers to seat on. An 1/8" drill should work fine.

Make sure you don't load the ones with drilled out flash holes with powder and bullet, as this can cause excess pressures.

 

[flac9945]

Primers only

Thanks for all your thoughts on this. Drilling out the primer flash holes was very helpful. Didn't think of that.