Deactivating Ammo Question

[Flash]

I would have sh*t myself!!!! :shock:

It didn't have that effect on me, but since I reload in a bedroom in the house, it was LOUD. Fortunately I had the Lee Priming system where you'll only set off the ones in the chute and not all of them like some presses do.

I'd done that before around a dozen times and they never went off so I got complacent. I won't make that mistake again.

It is difficult to set off a primer in a press. I deprime with live primers. The issue for me is more making sure the live primer doesn’t fall on the floor cuz with my aging eyes it can be difficult to find it. :lol:

I've occasionally lost one and Mrs. Flash finds it and spilled powder when she vacuums the reloading room.

 

[THE ICEMAN]

Im new to reloading, but have been told that you can deprime live primers. So if you, or someone you know reloads, you can reuse the primers as they are pretty impossible to find right now.

I am anxious to hear from some of the reloading veterans on this one. I read that depriming live primers on a press was a no/no. I have never tried it though so it would be nice to see what the local wisdom says.

I would also think that since it is a press fit part that it was deformed to some degree on insertion and would be loose if you tried to reinstall.

Inquiring minds want to know!

Okay, I'll fess up. I've been doing it for over 60 years with no problems whatsoever and when they got re-used, they all went bang. Also, they're not deformed and will go in another case and stay there just fine.

Here's how you do it:
Place the case in a shellholder in your press and run it up to the sizing/depriming die slowly. When you feel the depriming punch touch the primer, very slowly and smoothly continue pushing the lever on the press until the primer pops out.

I never had one go off doing it, but nonetheless always wear safety glasses when doing it. Use the old primers for range loads.

That's been my experience as well... Just work slowly & with caution...

 

[338lapua]

No, you can do it without velocity. I sent off a large pistol primer on my progressive press once because I had accidentally gotten a .45 small primer mixed in with my .45 large primer. Encountered resistance, put a little arm on it and BAM! 7 primers went off together.

Was it a Dillon 650?

 

[Flash]

No, you can do it without velocity. I sent off a large pistol primer on my progressive press once because I had accidentally gotten a .45 small primer mixed in with my .45 large primer. Encountered resistance, put a little arm on it and BAM! 7 primers went off together.

Was it a Dillon 650?

Nope. A Lee LoadMaster