Primer explosion, and suggestions?

[Pulp, SASS#28319]

Nope, not me.

 

I just read this over on the Mythbusters forum:

 

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9741919888/m/88919837901

 

From looking at the pictures I highly doubt all 50 actually exploded, but obviously enough did to do damage.

 

Y'all got any ideas on what could have happened?

[Flashpowder Hal]

He's probably right about the static electricity.

 

We used to fire 20mm canon rounds with an electrical ZAP!

[Springfield Slim SASS #24733]

He sure doesn't provide much info, doesn't even say what kind of reloader it is. It has a tube like on my Dillon and also on my RCBS single stage with the primer attachment. Funny , the next guys says that's why he only uses a LEE type with a tray. I personally would rather have a tube type go up than have a whole tray go up in my face.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

That tube, cotter pin and plastic end cap look to be for a tube that feeds into a Dillon machine. Looks like only a few blew but I have never heard of static electricity setting them off. Also, don't ever remember having read anything from Dillon stating that is a possibility.

[Red Logan #12252]

Some Lawyer will figure it out, no doubt..

[Seldom Seen #16162]

Explosions in primer tubes such as used by Dillon are well documented. I believe this has been enough of a problem that Dillon changed the design of their tubes.

 

The cause as I understand it is small amounts of primer compound accumulates on the inside of the tube until something such as static electricity creates a spark.

 

The recommended cure is to clean the inside of the primer tube frequently. I have also wondered if grounding the press to something metal would stop any static electricity (like a lightning rod).

 

Whatever the cause that looks like a very painful, although not serious, injury.

[Doc Windshadow]

I can recall advice from RCBS back in the 70s to clean the primer tube every 5 trays but I only ever recall primers going off when they got into a case pocket sideways and were crushed and they never set off the primers in the tube,,, made me jump about a foot straight up like a cartoon character

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

Only time I ever had a primer go off was when I was using my MEC 600jr shotgun press. Somehow a shot got in the cup the primer goes in and when I tried to seat the primer, it went bang. It was years ago and I was loading late at night after working some long hours. I was tired and didn't notice how high the primer was in the cup. Stupid mistakes happen.

[DocWard]

Now I am also wondering if grounding would be advisable or not.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

YES, ground your press(s) and powder measure to a stand-alone ground rod.

DO NOT tie into the house system.

ALL of my powder, primers etc. are sitting on grounded "cookie" sheets.

Static is at it's worst in the winter.

Respectfully,

LG

[J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE]

Tonight I am going to clean all my priming tubes out thoroughly! Those injuries look incredibly painful.

[Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L]

That's GNARLEY!! I use a hand primer and each load is loaded individually. Scary stuff....

 

GG ~

[Klondike SASS Life #29713]

I've blown the primer tube on my 650 (my fault), but I have never seen a pick up tube like that. I'll be joining J. Mark and be cleaning my pickup tubes also. I know you are supposed to do it, but, have let it slip. This is the motivation I needed.

[Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027]

I'll be joining J. Mark and be cleaning my pickup tubes also. I know you are supposed to do it, but, have let it slip. This is the motivation I needed.

 

 

Ditto. I just never thought about cleaning out the pickup tube. I'll be doing it tonight.

[BLACKFOOT SASS #11947]

The long gas tube cleaners (pipe cleaners) used for cleaning the tubes on AR 15's are great for cleaning primer tubes.

 

Drifter

[Klondike SASS Life #29713]

The long gas tube cleaners (pipe cleaners) used for cleaning the tubes on AR 15's are great for cleaning primer tubes.

 

Drifter

 

 

My exact tool.

[Red Logan #12252]

What brand of primers were used in the blow up? I have a thought...

[Jefro, SASS#69420]

What brand of primers were used in the blow up? I have a thought...

That's the question. I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut it was Federal. There have been more than one documented incidents involving Federal primers, that's why Lee says no Federals in there safety prime system. IMHO static had nothing to do with this.

 

Jefro

[J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE]

Since the tube looked like a Dillon tube, I assume the equipment is also likely to be Dillon.

 

There is a issue I have noticed over the years when the primer station gets a cartridge that didn't deprime and the primer is attempted to be seated against another primer. The primer drops into the plastic discharge chute and if you attempt to reuse it, the priming compound has been compressed and the outer edge of the primer flattened so that it will bind in the tube. So if I have this happen, I am always careful to dispose of any primers that were "pressed" in this manner.

 

If you were to use one of these primers and it were to bind in the tube, you might then try and use the follower to push it, friction on the inside of the tube could set off priming compound residue. I am sure of one thing though. . .

 

My pick up tubes are squeaky clean and will stay that way!

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

I posted this thread over on the wire. Only Garrison Joe replied.

 

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178747