Are really old primers still operational?

[1068ppt]

[Charlie50]

Primers go bang... even very old primers. Likely fine for plinking only. Personally I would load a sample of at least 50 and make sure. Like others indicate if stored in dry, moderate conditions they problably would work even if a century old... would I trust for anything, nope.

[Full Clip]

I recently reloaded some SR primers that were about 30-35 years old, just stored in a closet.
Every one went bang.

[Divernhunter]

Not sure what old is but I shoot primers I bought in the early 1960's without any problems. Wish I could buy them at the $.89 price per try I paid for those now.
I also shoot ammo loaded in the 1930's that is mil surplus.

[JagerDog]

That is not that old

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

^^^^^ What he said.

[sigstroker]

Not sure what old is but I shoot primers I bought in the early 1960's without any problems. Wish I could buy them at the $.89 price per try I paid for those now.
I also shoot ammo loaded in the 1930's that is mil surplus.

Throughout the early to mid-90's I bought literally a lifetime supply of primers at good prices (penny each or less). Can't remember exactly how many but at least 30k.

[MongooseV8]

30k? What is that, a life time supply for ants? =)

[the86d]

I haven't been reloading very long (only since 2012), but most of my bad primers were left out in open air in the reloading/computer room, where I vape pretty heavily w/ the door closed, and the window is almost always cracked at least 1/3 of the way when not Winter.

[The War Wagon]

Are really old primers still operational?

If they were kept REALLY dry and REALLY cool... yes.

[anyracoon]

Still shooting primers I bought from MilWal at a Cow Palace gun show in the 90's. Has $10.95 written on the box.

[kcheung2]

It's funny how 10-15 year old primers are considered really old...

[ireload]

While we're at it, anyone know if primers are waterproof? Totally a curiosity question.

[justMike]

[QUOTE=ireload;]Not water proof. That’s how I deactivate unwanted primers by soaking them.


Yeah, no. Believe it or not that doesn't work. As soon as they dry they are reactive again. I personally tried soaking LRPs in vinegar for two weeks with agitation periodically.
They looked degraded (some), but when they dried out, all twenty I experimented with went bang. Water works out the same as reported by others. Good luck, but watch out. I wouldn't trust them to be 'safe'.

[ireload]

[QUOTE=justMike;22959279] Good to know. I figured the discoloration in the water indicated break down of the primer mixture.

[17+1]