Old primers

[Standardvel]

Will these old primers work with smokeless powders? Got a bunch from a neighbour along with a slug of old percussion caps and anvils and old style shotgun primers

 

[Longwalker]

I wouldn't load them. After so many years the metal cups could be brittle or corroded or ?? and the priming mix was made for black powder - very easy to ignite compared to smokeless. Interesting stuff though.

 

[Standardvel]

Yes interesting there is two layers of primers in each box in wooden trays.

 

[bertn]

probably worth more to a collector than using the primers

 

[OldDude]

Is there a chance they might be using the old mercuric priming compound? If so, I wouldn't use them.

Neat find otherwise.

 

[remington jim]

Set them aside and just SHOW and TELL ! RJ

 

[Standardvel]

Yes, maybe just show and tell. All 1500 of them!

 

[back40sniper]

I would be tempted to load one or two in an empty case and see if they still worked. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Johnyy]

Smash one with a hammer!!

 

[Standardvel]

After some searching Winchester primers marked with a W are good for smokeless powder. I have about 500 of the W marked ones, probably will try loading a few to see how/if they work. Seems like they were made before 1932!

 

[oldrodder]

My friend Buck and I are building a 40-70 Sharps Straight on a Uberti 1885 action. We test fired the rifle the other day using Buck's handload assembled with one of these primers. Buck has a few hundred of them and he said they were no longer reliable.
YMMV!