Advice on primmed casings

azarcher10x · Dec 18, 2024

I remember watching a video, probably on this forum, where they tested a bunch of different primers with no real differences. They used small pistol, magnum and small rifle in .40 cal, I think. Velocities and pressures were all the same.

Critter Picker · Dec 18, 2024

With loading components the price they are, you should be glad they have primers. Load them with a plinking load,and bang away.

OR you can send them to me and I'll load and shoot them and send the brass back. I'll even size and deprive for you.

oldfortyfiveauto · Dec 18, 2024

Brathany said:
You are certainly free to go about things as you wish, but know that depriming hot primers has been done by many, and I've yet to hear a case where a hot primer detonated by the act. I had to deprime 3000 cases once when the WLR primers were discovered to be defective. I've deprimed countless other cases with no issues. I've also not detected any performance reduction reusing the decapped primers. This question has popped up on the forums for the past 30yrs.

Even more interesting. I flame annealed a big lot of 223's not realizing primed cases were mixed in without issues.

Greatgrandad · Dec 18, 2024

MarkInPA said:
Looking for advice. I have some .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, and .38 special that are sized and primed. All I have to do is dump powder and load bullets. The problem is that I have no idea what the primers are. I don't even know if they have been primed with standard or magnum primers. What should I do with these casings? Is there a load that I could use that would be safe regardless of the primer used? I know that everyplace you read about it that you are not supposed to deprime live primers but, I wonder if there is really much of a safety issue. I don't want to get in the habit of depriming live primers but, should I really have much of concern? I have deprimed a few live primers with nothing ever becoming of it. What would happen if one would go off. As a kid, I remember getting into my dad's primers and setting them off, individually, by dropping a hammer on them on the concrete. Nothing bad happened. Glad my dad never found out or something bad would have happened. So what do you think? I have a couple hundred cases that are primed.

I would just load them like normal, for most people would not use magnum primers in a 38 nor 45 ACP. Even if they are magnums, in a pistol load, just use a midrange to lower upper load and have fun.

Over the years, I have bought a fair share of demilled, factory, yard and estate sale, etc, primed brass in various pistol cartridges, and I have never had any issues with normal loadings. Same thing with rifle primed cases.

Edit) Depending on the manufacture, I have used some small pistol "magnum" primers that were no hotter and added no more pressure to my loads than their standard version. The only difference in those brands was a very slightly thicker cup.

Brathany · Dec 18, 2024

oldfortyfiveauto said:
Even more interesting. I flame annealed a big lot of 223's not realizing primed cases were mixed in without issues.

I did that once, no issues, but not something I want to do again! I know it took Cortina some 13 seconds or more to get a primer to pop. Beyond the point of case ruin.

Rosebud · Dec 18, 2024

oldfortyfiveauto said:
Even more interesting. I flame annealed a big lot of 223's not realizing primed cases were mixed in without issues.

Better buy a lottery ticket fast while you're luck holds.

skipglo · Dec 18, 2024

MarkInPA said:
Make slow contact with the primer and then just push them out with slow gradual pressure?

Yes! I've done a bunch with no mishaps so far...military loads pulling the Projectiles, dumping the powder and de-priming several hundred for the brass.

Teri Anne · Dec 18, 2024

MarkInPA said:
Looking for advice. I have some .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, and .38 special that are sized and primed. All I have to do is dump powder and load bullets. The problem is that I have no idea what the primers are. I don't even know if they have been primed with standard or magnum primers. What should I do with these casings? Is there a load that I could use that would be safe regardless of the primer used? I know that everyplace you read about it that you are not supposed to deprime live primers but, I wonder if there is really much of a safety issue. I don't want to get in the habit of depriming live primers but, should I really have much of concern? I have deprimed a few live primers with nothing ever becoming of it. What would happen if one would go off. As a kid, I remember getting into my dad's primers and setting them off, individually, by dropping a hammer on them on the concrete. Nothing bad happened. Glad my dad never found out or something bad would have happened. So what do you think? I have a couple hundred cases that are primed.

Primers only do one thing, ignite the powder. I use Magnum primers on everything with no problem. The issue would come with the powder charge, not the primer. Load them as you normally would, using the powder you normally would, just don't load close to max. When in doubt load target loads which are typically a lot slower than duty loads which much less pressure and are going to be safe. Shoot em up, then load them with primers you know and never make the mistake again.

Advice on primmed casings

azarcher10x

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Critter Picker

Well-Known Member

oldfortyfiveauto

Well-Known Member

Greatgrandad

Well-Known Member

Brathany

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Rosebud

Well-Known Member

skipglo

Well-Known Member

Teri Anne

Well-Known Member

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