Help! Primer stuck sideways in case...

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rudar

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Hmmm. So I'm priming a bunch of cases (Lee Autoprime, if it makes any difference), and one primer feels stiffer than it should. At first I figure maybe I just didn't clean that primer pocket and give it a *bit* more force than usual (probably a bad idea), then realise it's all wrong and take the autoprime apart and find that the primer had started going in sideways. So it's now a bit crushed and solidly stuck. And I can't pull the shellholder off to prime the rest of my rounds, either.

So, two questions: second, what's a safe way to dispose of a live primer? But first, how can I get this mangled sideways primer *out*, so I can get my shellholder off the case? (the questions may be linked, if there's a sure-fire (pun not intended) way to de-activate the primer for disposal, that would probably make it safe to yard on with pliers to get it out...)
 
.... Just use your "De-capping" die set to remove it. ( I've no specific knowledge of the Lee Autoprine set up ) If you apply pressure slowly, there should be no problems... as alway safety glasses highly recommended ! .... David K
 
Hmmm. I can't use the press, because it's got the autoprime shell holder stuck on it. I guess I could tap a deprimer through the case on a block of wood or something, but that does seem rather hazardous... Gloves, goggles, blastshields, and a trusty assistant Beaker standing by to call paramedics, perhaps? :redface:

I did some googling which suggests that water, penetrating oil, etc. may or may not work, depending on the brand of primer... Mine are CCI, and they weren't listed in any of the experiments I saw posted.
 
If you use Lee case length gauges/trimmers, use that. Insert it and place the gauge/case in the ground with the case base pointing up. Put a socket on top of the shell holder and tap it down with a hammer. You could do the same thing with your decapper pin, but that's going to be tight comming out. You haven't got a nuclear device there so don't panic over this. It's not that big of a deal. Put on your safety glasses and wear a pair of leather gloves if it makes you feel better. I've done this several times and I've never blown a primer.
 
If you are still concerned about the primer going off, then soak it in WATER for a while. That will deactivate the priming compound. (Primer compound is made from a water based slurry.) Oil will work, but just makes a mess.

BTW, I occasionally have a primer fully seated sideways (crushed beyond recognition) and none have gone off so far.....
 
Well, I soaked it in penetrating oil for a couple hours, for good measure, and then used the trimmer as blacksmithden suggested. Took just the lightest hint of a tap with a rubber mallet, and it came out nice and unexploded. Now I guess I'll soak the primer in water for a couple of days and then declare it safe to throw out, or something. Thanks!
 
When, not if, you get one in upside down, it'll pop out easily using the regular decapping die, gently. Slow pressure. No fuss or bother.
Water does nothing to a primer. Just pitch it.
 
I use oil to neutralize primers when they get stuck in sideways and upside down and what not, just a quick shot, all you need.
 
Onagoth said:
Kroil will... everytime.
Click to expand...

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/killprimers.shtml

That may depend on the brand of primer. But perhaps the things aren't quite as hairtrigger as the warnings in the reloading manuals state. And perhaps one going off by itself wouldn't be the end of the world, anyway; the dire warnings seem to refer to dropping a tube of 4 dozen and having them all go off at once...
 
rudar said:
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/killprimers.shtml

That may depend on the brand of primer. But perhaps the things aren't quite as hairtrigger as the warnings in the reloading manuals state. And perhaps one going off by itself wouldn't be the end of the world, anyway; the dire warnings seem to refer to dropping a tube of 4 dozen and having them all go off at once...
Click to expand...

Interesting, this is news to me, thanks for the post
 
rudar said:
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/killprimers.shtml

That may depend on the brand of primer. But perhaps the things aren't quite as hairtrigger as the warnings in the reloading manuals state. And perhaps one going off by itself wouldn't be the end of the world, anyway; the dire warnings seem to refer to dropping a tube of 4 dozen and having them all go off at once...
Click to expand...

Thanks that was interesting, I though that oil would kill them fairly quickly. Go to know.
 
A live primer can be removed from a case simply by running it through a decapping die or sizing die so long as you pull the press lever gently. I would think that tapping the primer out would entail a grater risk of ignition since primers are sensitive to sharp blows.
 
Small rifle primers buy any chance? I have loaded about 400 rounds of .308 and never had a primer issue. I started reloaded 223 for the first time today and had a crapload of primers start sideways. I have learned not to force anything so the primer came out easy but I had to start moving the primer up before I inserted the shell to make sure it wasnt feeding sideways.
 
Hey guys, thats what WD-40 was inventd for.... It will "kill" a primers very quickly....

Forget water, most primers to have a "waterproof" coating....

You have not lived yet until you have an entire tube of primers go off, under proper conditions it is harmless to the reloader, BUT very hard on the nerves....
John
 
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