Upside Down Primer

[IrvJr]

Hi All,

I was using a Lee Auto Prime tool the other day to install primers in my brass. One of my primers was upside down in the tray and I didn't notice it till I primed a piece of brass. I set this piece of brass aside and would like to know what is the proper way to deal with this situation.

Is it possible to salvage the brass and safely remove the upside dow primer? If not, how can I safely dispose of the primed brass?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tek4260]

Gently run it thru the sizer die again wearing safety glasses. Should be fine.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

It happens. Just do what tek4260 said. Don't forget the "gently" part. I also take the added precaution of making sure my body parts (hand, legs, feet) are not underneath my press as I gently push the upside down, live primer back out. I've never yet had one of them go off, but I'd hate to have pieces of the primer's anvil stuck in my leg if one of them ever did. :shock:

 

[contender]

I'll add a bit more of safety advice; I wrap a large towel around the ram so if the primer were to pop off, it won't do any harm to anything. Kinda like a shield to contain the "blast."

 

[Divernhunter]

I have done that many times over the years. Just deprime in the sizer/deprime die. Nothing will happen even if the primer goes off. A 50bmg primer does make a bit more noise :shock: if it goes off at 2AM. But it did not wake anyone up so ok.
The primers look ok when removed but I have not tried to reuse them. I just reprime with a new one to avoid any misfires.

 

[jimbo1096]

I've done the same in a rockchuker. The primer arm would catch if I started going too fast and flip the primer over as the ram came down. I've gently pushed them back out with the size/deprime die and even reused them if they are nor dimpled or warped. Never had a misfire.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

...and make sure there is nothing flammable near the press, like an open pack of primers or a bowl of gun powder. :shock:

...Jimbo

 

[Cholo]

Just pop it out like described above and wear safety glasses. I've reused the primer without a misfire.

I did have 25-35 primers detonate while loading them in a primer tube as directed. I'd be blind right now if my eyes weren't protected. Blew up some equipment and had a primer tube launched into the ceiling after blowing the end off. All in a days work, I mean reloading :wink:

Respect primers!!

 

[Vecco]

Huck it in the trash?

 

[IrvJr]

Thanks all for the great suggestions! I will definitely wear safety goggles and keep the area clear (and also wrap a towel around to contain debris in the event of an explosion). I am going to try and deprime the upside down primer this afternoon.

 

[the fatman]

I also usually put a drop of oil on the primer.

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I see nothing but sound advice being offered here. Safety glasses are critical, IMO.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Ditto all the advice. I fired a primer in a resize die once years ago, and it scared the dickens out of me! I've managed to avoid the scenario ever since....Dennis

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

"Safety glasses" and "gently" are the two operative terms that have allowed me to "correct" such mistakes a time or two...

Additional suggested safety measures can't hurt... except you don't want to try to re-use a primer that's received the "drop of oil" treatment. Consider that one a goner.

Rick C

 

[Kanook]

so did you go to the ER was it all good as suspected?

 

[Vecco]

Again I am not sure why you just dont throw it away. Pull the bullet and powder and simply put the case/primer in the trash. Why risk anything for a few cents of products.

 

[IrvJr]

Thanks fellas for all of your replies. I haven't had a chance to deprime the casing yet.

I would be willing to chuck the upside down primed casing, but I'm concerned about safety. I don't want to put an unspent primer in the trash (explosive/fire hazard).

I will try and deprime the case this week. I ended up working on a room that I'm renovating in my house this weekend and did not get a chance to do any gun-related fun stuff.

 

[SBH4628]

If that primer goes off in the trash,Chances are your house is already on fire. Just pop it out and and throw it away.Vecco has the best answer.At most you will be out 50 cents :shock:

 

[IrvJr]

Thanks Vecco and SBH4628 for the replies. My local range has a plastic jug filled with oil (supposedly to deactivate the primers) for misfires/duds. I think I might just chuck it in there if I don't try and remove it.

 

[Anonymous]

I 2nd the oil idea. As a matter of fact you could drop it in a cup of water or give it a squirt of wd40. I would then clean the case before redoing it.