Primer mishap 1st reloading session

[jb7706]

Just got my XL 650 set up and cranked out my first 400 rounds. Since I don't yet trust myself I did a 100% inspection of all my ammo inserting each round into a case gauge and checking OAL with calipers on about 35% of the rounds I built. I found one round that had a primer inserted upside down. I recovered the bullet and powder. Following posts from experienced reloaders and past experience in the explosives industry I immersed the primer in CLP for several (about 6) hours. I didn't want to scrap the brass or let a possible live primer go to the scrap bucket so I went ahead and ran the oil soaked case through the decap station with goggles and hearing protection on. The primer came out without a hitch.

On a whim I decided to see if the primer would fire, so I seated it and threw it in my Glock. I pulled the trigger and I was surprised to hear the primer fire.

Lessons learned:
Don't attempt to put a primer into the feed tube without first using a pickup tube.

CLP does not make primers inert contrary to posts.

[1lostinspace]

Your better off having eye protection on then ear lol thats funny, I bet you looked silly.

[eijjie33]

that's good info to know

[jb7706]

Your better off having eye protection on then ear lol thats funny, I bet you looked silly.

I had 'em both on and didn't care! One I was alone, and two I figure safety before fashion. I'd rather look stupid for a few minutes than not use an eye forever. I imagine that I did look funny pulling the handle from as far away as I could get while looking away from the press.

[pepsi2451]

I think the CLP was probably overkill. I picked up some large pistol Federal match primers and for some reason they don't like to seat right in my RCBS press. It seemed like about 1 in 10 would seat upsidedown or sideways. When they seat sideways I had to deprime them because they would prevent the me from taking the case out of the shell holder. Never had one go off. Its strange because I never had this problem with the winchester primers I was using. I'm more careful now but it still happens every once in a while.

[Sheldon]

I've on more than one occasion reused a primer like that without any issue.

[Voo]

Ive had the same thing happen.. instead of trying to make it "inert".. If I can salvage the components, I will- primer included. Im just REALLY carefully about removing the primer. Also, if I do reuse the primer, I place that lot of bullets into a separate bin that I mark speicifically for range-only bullets. I always reload a few suspect bullets, so instead of throwing them out, I'll take it to the range and fire them singularly. If they work- great.. if not they get pulled and recycled if possible.

As you've seen yourself, the primer was still good. You could've reused it.

[fusionstar]

leather apron + full facial mask + hearing protection + anvil + hammer = inert

[Nodda Duma]

The primers are only being held in there due to the snug fit. You don't need to soak in CLP or anything like that prior to remove. Just *slowly* run the brass through the decapper and it'll pop out without a hitch. Remember, this isn't magic.

-Jason

[jb7706]

Ive had the same thing happen.. instead of trying to make it "inert".. If I can salvage the components, I will- primer included. Im just REALLY carefully about removing the primer. Also, if I do reuse the primer, I place that lot of bullets into a separate bin that I mark speicifically for range-only bullets. I always reload a few suspect bullets, so instead of throwing them out, I'll take it to the range and fire them singularly. If they work- great.. if not they get pulled and recycled if possible.

As you've seen yourself, the primer was still good. You could've reused it.

Yeah, another lesson learned. I'll admit to trying to be over cautious, and since CLP didn't do anything to help I'll just salvage the primer next time. I don't like wasting components. I suppose some waste is to be expected in the learning stages.

[bohoki]

yea why waste what is often a 3 cent compnent

ive pushed them out and reused them the only ones i chuck are the ones that go in sideways

[Tony Sopranno]

The primers are only being held in there due to the snug fit. You don't need to soak in CLP or anything like that prior to remove. Just *slowly* run the brass through the decapper and it'll pop out without a hitch. Remember, this isn't magic.

-Jason

Quite...

It's what I do... then if it's cold out and I have the wood stove going I throw the mangled primer in there and close the door real quick.

--- POP...!

Primer is now inert.