BANG! Ouch, that wasn't so bad.

yomomma

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
105   0   1
So I was learning how to use a Pistol Lee Loader. I was trying to seat the small pistol primer when it went off. I t was actually very disappointing.
Sounded and felt like a weak firecracker.

Received a few pieces of shrapnel in my thumb. Dont know what they were from but they were just underneath the skin so no issue digging them out with a needle.

So for all you guys who are afraid of primers blowing up, the small pistol primers are a big disappointment

Remember to wear your safety glasses.
 
I've had large rifle primers go off in a Lee Loader before. Made a weak "pop" noise and a tiny bit of smoke came out. Had to clean some carbon off the loader but that was it. If I had been listening to the radio or something I may have not even heard the pop.
I cooked off some of the same primers in empty cases with a propane torch to see how loud they where. They actually made my ears ring a little in the garage.
 
Was this a press unit or handheld? like a Lee Ergo..

One of these

90253.jpg
 
I had a primer tube go off on me one time in a Dillon 1050. Freak accident, somehow a primer jammed up while I was operating the press at a decent speed.... KERBANG!! Plastic primer tube rod stuck into the ceiling, primer tube split open. Approx 15 primers chain fired inside the tube... had to change my undies after that one, never seen anything like it since.

Always wear safety glasses when priming cases!
 
Had one go pop in a loadmaster one time.Let's just say they are pretty loud in a small 8x8 basement room with a 7' ceiling and you're 6' tall.The noise comes out pretty much right at ear level,bounces off the ceiling right over your head and gives your ears a nice ring.
 
I think when they say "use a RUBBER mallet" they mean "USE A RUBBER MALLET"

I was using a soft faced hammer but will switch to a "rubber mallet"

Rubber mallet for what?
I don't use a mallet for anything when I'm loading?

Oh wait, I just re-read your first post. Are you using one of the Lee kits that doesn't need a press?
Throw that in a box with the rest of the crap you'll never use again and buy a press, a hand primer, a set of dies, a beam scale, a volumetric powder dispenser, a trickler, a case trimmer and do it right. It must take you a week to make 100 rounds. Might cost you a little money to get set up but your finished product will be much more consistent and reliable, you will also be able to turn out 100 rounds every couple hours (less if you skimp on case prep).
At very minimum go out and buy a proper hand primer and save yourself a bunch of time and frustration.
 
I have a reloading press. I got this kit eons ago with a bunch of stuff I bought and am trying it out for sheitz and giggles

Lol, well you got your giggles and your shorts got the sheit, time to go back to doing it the right way.
I have one of those kits which is so old it came in a cardboard box. I looked at it once and knocked out a couple primers with it then decide it wasn't worth my time when I have the right equipment sitting on the bench.
 
I set off a CCI 200 with a Classic Lee Loader when I got complacent while seating primers. It made a loud bang that made my ears ring though I didn't suffer any other injuries. Now I've got it down to six taps with a brass hammer every time. Just listen to the sound change as the primer seats and you'll be able to tell when its there. I don't use that thing any more but they're a cheap, fun way to learn.
 
I had a primer tube go off on me one time in a Dillon 1050. Freak accident, somehow a primer jammed up while I was operating the press at a decent speed.... KERBANG!! Plastic primer tube rod stuck into the ceiling, primer tube split open. Approx 15 primers chain fired inside the tube... had to change my undies after that one, never seen anything like it since.

Always wear safety glasses when priming cases!
Lol..:) what did the wife say after that one?:)
 
Any chance it was a crimped primer pocket that wasnt reamed prior? Easy to see that happening if so. Oh and I am sure the wall wasnt the only thing with a brown splatter on it as well :)
 
you KNOW what happened?- the primer wasn't seated PROPERLY in the hole- it HAS to be dead center and a CLEAN primer pocket when the hammer comes down or you WILL get a detonation - what happens is the primer contacts the SOLID part of the seating tool- you can get the same effect by an OFF CENTER strike with the priming rod- I know- I got my first lee loader back in 72 when I got my 3rd rifle- and it DOESN'T MATTER what kind of hammer you use- the REASON for the soft face is so that you don't smoosh the face of the tool when you hit it with the hammer- SOLUTION?- spend the 15/20 dollars and get the LEE PRIMING TOOL or just get the press and die set- it's NOT that much more expensive than the lee loader- what would I get?= for the dead cheap , the 4 hole TURRET press , lee dies,and thewooden box if they still make it
 
Last edited:
Any chance it was a crimped primer pocket that wasnt reamed prior? Easy to see that happening if so. Oh and I am sure the wall wasnt the only thing with a brown splatter on it as well :)

Nope, with the 1050, the primer tube drops primers into a primer slider that moves the primer from the tube to the primer ram that is about 2" away. I am fairly sure a primer must have gotten sideways while dropping, and got stuck halfway into the slider bar, causing the det.
 
Back
Top Bottom