question on primed brass

[cvc944]

I have 46 primed .45 Colt cases. These cases were stuffed with a very hot charge meant for the loader's TC Contender. I pulled the bullets and will re-load with a much softer charge for my Model 25-3 Smith. The brass is now the color of not-brass and I want them nice and shiny. In the past I have always punched the live primers prior to putting them in the shaker, but these days primers are expensive. My question is has anyone here ever put them through the shaker primed and if so, did they go bang when loaded and fired. (And, of course, not go bang in the skaker).

 

[GaryHK]

There is no issue tumbling primed brass. I've done it on occasion.

I know some people, for whatever reason, that tumble live, fully loaded rounds. There is no reason to do this and it can change the composition of the powder but, hey, it's their ammo.

The added benefit is that there is no media to pull out of the primer pockets (joke).

 

[Sevens]

You can tumble them primed or you can carefully deprime them and reprime them, no problem either way.

 

[mikld]

I have tumbled (rotary) primed brass on one or two occasions. No big deal. If there was any media stuck in the flash hole it came out easily, with just a tap of the case mouth (44 Mag.) on the bench. It sounds like the OP disposed of any live primers he removed, not necessary! I (and many other reloaders) have reused live primers that were previously seated in a case, many times. Never had to keep any separate for "range" or "plinking" loads because all have fired and load performed just like new. I probably have some "used" primers in my "Just in Case" ammo stash (my end of the world, zombie loads)...

 

[cvc944]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Off to the shaker they go.

 

[gwpercle]

I wouldn't put them through "the shaker" it might affect the priming compound or more likely small bits of media can clog flash holes .
I would load and fire as is ... no restrictions on dingy brass ...

Unless you are anal/OCD... if this is the case take a rag and brass polish and clean each cash by hand ... with the pandemic lock down you have plenty of time on your hands .
Gary

 

[mikerjf]

Just to cover all bases, I assume a *wet* tumble with lemishine and ss pins is a bad idea?

Might clean all the compound out of the primer!

 

[Sevens]

I would say that a wet tumble of live brass is definitely a ludicrous idea, suggested only as a joke.

And with that said, lots of guys have done "killing a primer" testing in numerous ways and results seem to say that killing a primer for dead sure certain isn't nearly as easy as one might imagine.

So yes, I think the wet tumble idea is horrendous and just plain silly to suggest, but I'm willing to wager that you might still get a BANG out of one or more of them even if you did it.

 

[IAM Rand]

I don't think the target cares about the color of the brass. Load them and then shoot them. Before you load them again you can tumble them. You must be shooting with a different crowd than me. If it goes bang when you pull the trigger then you are good. Tumbling shouldn't change that.

 

[mikld]

There is a long standing controversy about tumbling primed cases or live ammo. I believe for a piece of media stuck in a flash hole it would have to be very hard, fill the flash hole completely and "welded" in place to be any problem as the primer would easily blow out any media. Unless the sealing foil is missing and the cases are tumbled in a rotary for several hours, there will be no problem to the priming compound.

Tumbling live ammo is very controversial and I have seen this topic on reloading forums as long as I have been on line (started in 2006) and there is never a consensus achieved. Many, many opinions on both sides with examples and "proof" given. I prefer to ignore the subject as it gets old real fast...

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I would load them first . I have cleaned quite a bit of old dingy ammo (loaded) in a vibrating cleaner with never an issue and would not expect to ever have any issue . If you are really concerned and really need the brass to shine use a jewelers cloth or an old sock and some Flitz .

 

[Warren Sear]

There is no issue tumbling primed brass. I've done it on occasion.

I know some people, for whatever reason, that tumble live, fully loaded rounds. There is no reason to do this and it can change the composition of the powder but, hey, it's their ammo.

The added benefit is that there is no media to pull out of the primer pockets (joke).

For what it is worth, tumbling loaded ammo WILL NOT alter the powder in any way. This has been proven over and over.

 

[rockquarry]

Aside from plugging a flash hole with a media particle, I'd be be concerned that the dry priming compound may be adversely affected by a tumbler or vibratory machine. While it looks as if some have done this and gotten away with it, it remains a poor idea. There may be no proof that this is the case, but primers certainly may not be 100% after being run through a cleaning apparatus.

It's easy enough to just load the brass and shoot it. A discoloration hurts nothing. Or, gently de-prime the brass. The primers are suitable for re-use without problem.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have tumbled (rotary) primed brass on one or two occasions. No big deal. If there was any media stuck in the flash hole it came out easily, with just a tap of the case mouth (44 Mag.) on the bench. It sounds like the OP disposed of any live primers he removed, not necessary! I (and many other reloaders) have reused live primers that were previously seated in a case, many times. Never had to keep any separate for "range" or "plinking" loads because all have fired and load performed just like new. I probably have some "used" primers in my "Just in Case" ammo stash (my end of the world, zombie loads)...

Re-used primers can definitely get damaged. I would not use them for anything other than range ammo, and in the old days I would have just thrown them away.

I would not want "grade B" ammo for my "just in case" stash. This ammo should consist of only the highest quality possible.

I would burn up any second rate ammo at the range, and not keep it around.

 

[Warren Sear]

Just to cover all bases, I assume a *wet* tumble with lemishine and ss pins is a bad idea?

Might clean all the compound out of the primer!

Very bad idea.

 

[rockquarry]

Re-used primers can definitely get damaged. I would not use them for anything other than range ammo, and in the old days I would have just thrown them away.

I would not want "grade B" ammo for my "just in case" stash. This ammo should consist of only the highest quality possible.

I would burn up any second rate ammo at the range, and not keep it around.

Good advice. While I don't recall a decapped and re-used primer ever failing, I'd also shoot up such ammo and would never it for hunting.

 

[mikld]

Re-used primers can definitely get damaged. I would not use them for anything other than range ammo, and in the old days I would have just thrown them away.

I would not want "grade B" ammo for my "just in case" stash. This ammo should consist of only the highest quality possible.

I would burn up any second rate ammo at the range, and not keep it around.

I think the first "reused" primer I reseated and fired was around '89-'90, and I've done many since. I have never had one to fail, worked 100%...

 

[Warren Sear]

^^^ Your reloading standards are different than mine.

 

[OutWest50]

Just my opinion, I would load them and shoot them just as they are. Then, after the firing cases toss them in the polisher if needed or desired.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I wouldn't put them through "the shaker" it might affect the priming compound or more likely small bits of media can clog flash holes .
I would load and fire as is ... no restrictions on dingy brass ...

Unless you are anal/OCD... if this is the case take a rag and brass polish and clean each cash by hand ... with the pandemic lock down you have plenty of time on your hands .
Gary

No it won't! I have and still do it.......Won't change anything.