Decapped non spent primers, powder pressed in primers, ok to use again?

R

RonR

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I have pulled 50 or so loaded cartridges apart, to OCD up some more brass and recuperate on some components . When I de-capped the non spent primers, powder was pressed into the middle of the primer on about half of the lot that was pulled apart.

Pardon my ignorance, but are these primers still ok to use?

Further, I'd like to use with different powder.

Of note
- Varget powder was the load
- Federal 210 primer
- sophomore reloader
- the 50 cases were loaded last fall
- I suspect that the powder was retained in the burrs of the flash holes, and didn't shake free when emptying powder

Regards
Ron
 
RonR, it really depends on how you feel about it all and what you are going to use the newly loaded ammunition for. If you're shooting off the bench for groups or at gophers a misfire is just about meaningless but when you are lined up with the only legally shootable big game animal you have seen on a two week hunt and you get a click instead of a bang, is a 4 cent primer really worth it??

Primers are the cheapest component available to us. If you just can't bear to discard a couple of bucks worth of primers, so be it. I have been in similar situations in the past and understand where you may be coming from. I am also inherently cheap. That's why I started to hand load in the first place over fifty years ago. Back then, hand loading supplies were often hard to find and had to be ordered by mail. Often the wait time was 6-10 weeks depending on the season and availability. Good ole S.I.R. usually came through. I even sent off letters to the management of Eaton's, Sears and the Hudson's Bay Co. to carry hand loading components. I never received an answer of course. Things are much different now.
 
I hate tossing chit out too.
I keep an empty primer case for said days like this.
Use them up when developing a load or target ammo as
mentioned above.
Getting a click on a fur would have me with bite marks on
my hat.
 
Is it just me, or is this not a "not worth the money saved" situation???

I see several names that I hold in very high regard, so I should maybe just shut up, but?????

-J.
 
I have re-used primers. Never a problem.

BUT, the anvil does look fragile. So I would not use them for something important.

99% of my re-loads are not important. match ammo and hunting ammo is important. If it is hunting ammo, these rounds would be the sight -in and practice loads.
 
When I know that they were protected like this I re-use them.

But if I find that they deform by much during decapping I don't bother. Some fit so tightly that we get a slight doming of the rear face from the pressure. Those get tossed.
 
bearhunter said:
RonR, it really depends on how you feel about it all and what you are going to use the newly loaded ammunition for. If you're shooting off the bench for groups or at gophers a misfire is just about meaningless but when you are lined up with the only legally shootable big game animal you have seen on a two week hunt and you get a click instead of a bang, is a 4 cent primer really worth it??

Primers are the cheapest component available to us. If you just can't bear to discard a couple of bucks worth of primers, so be it. I have been in similar situations in the past and understand where you may be coming from. I am also inherently cheap. That's why I started to hand load in the first place over fifty years ago. Back then, hand loading supplies were often hard to find and had to be ordered by mail. Often the wait time was 6-10 weeks depending on the season and availability. Good ole S.I.R. usually came through. I even sent off letters to the management of Eaton's, Sears and the Hudson's Bay Co. to carry hand loading components. I never received an answer of course. Things are much different now.
Click to expand...

Hey Bearhunter...20/20 hindsight now but I should have added a bit more scope to the original post. This will be used for trying some different projectiles and fire forming at the range. Further I should have eluded to the fact that for me, the cost isn't a consideration especially at the risk of sacrificing reliability. <<< My oversight.

What I really wanted to know is if I was going to create a definite ka boom situation. The responses here seem to be centered around the fact that they are reusable, just be educated about it.

Thanks for rounded response.

Regards
Ron
 
stubblejumper said:
Next time adjust your sizing die so it doesn't push out the primers, and you won't have to deal with this situation.
Click to expand...

Yeah...I just wanted to de-prime to carry out some OCD on the case. If it was just a dump powder recharge thing, this post would not be.

Thanks Stubble,

Ron
 
bsand said:
I've probably done that a couple hundred times? Not a single issue with reusing (not fired) federal match primers.
Click to expand...

Also good to know. I have to research different ratings on primers to understand a bit more about the construction and what makes them match grade. There's a few posts I can read on here I'm sure to find out more.

Thanks for your time Bsand.

Regards
Ron
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
Is it just me, or is this not a "not worth the money saved" situation???

I see several names that I hold in very high regard, so I should maybe just shut up, but?????

-J.
Click to expand...

GGG, I see your point, and for the most part operate that way. Just needed to know if it's a definite "do not do." I will be using the primers that do not appear defective, and for this application, I am believing it should be ok.

Cheers J

Ron
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
Is it just me, or is this not a "not worth the money saved" situation???

I see several names that I hold in very high regard, so I should maybe just shut up, but?????

-J.
Click to expand...

Well guneefruck'ingogogogogogo...........wartchs yah gonna do with them unpawped relocated primers?
Whack'im wid a martoe?
Tawss them in the gaaaaarbage?

Dig a whole and buriee'im?
 
Ganderite said:
I have re-used primers. Never a problem.

BUT, the anvil does look fragile. So I would not use them for something important.

99% of my re-loads are not important. match ammo and hunting ammo is important. If it is hunting ammo, these rounds would be the sight -in and practice loads.
Click to expand...

Sound experience Ganderite. Thanks for sharing

Regards
Ron
 
BCRider said:
When I know that they were protected like this I re-use them.

But if I find that they deform by much during decapping I don't bother. Some fit so tightly that we get a slight doming of the rear face from the pressure. Those get tossed.
Click to expand...

I'll look at them with a closer eye. I suspect the feel will be different on re seating but I'll get some experience that way.

Cheers
Ron
 
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