Doc Moses Posted November 27 Share Posted November 27 Anyone know if it is possible to remove good primers from shells? I have a hand full of unloaded shells with high primers I would like to save. (Some kind of ubstruction so they will not seat all the way.) Can they be punched out? Seems like that would set them off. I thought I'd ask before I made a mess! Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted November 27 Share Posted November 27 I have done it and have no problem. Go slow and easy and at your own risk. Wear safety glasses just in case. If in doubt, don't do it, not worth saving only a handful. IMO 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted November 27 Share Posted November 27 Yes, pretty easy to punch out a live primer from either brass cartridges or shotshells. I've done probably thousands over 50 years of loading ammo, only a few broke apart (losing compound), none yet have exploded. Use eye and ear protection if you are worried. Use your normal depriming methods, with light pressure. They come out easier than they seat. good luck, GJ 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Moses Posted November 27 Author Share Posted November 27 Got them out. Went slow. Super easy. Thanks for the help! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 28 Share Posted November 28 Maybe just my preference, but the good primers I punch out only get used in designated practice ammo. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted November 28 Share Posted November 28 (edited) It is your personal decision. Mine was to use them for any loading, including EOT ammo. Hasn't failed me yet. The only ones I discard are Military crimped primers that I have to remove with a hammer and punch made by Lee. About my only Lee piece of equipment. GJ Edited November 28 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted November 28 Share Posted November 28 The only ones I don't reuse are when I used a hammer type bullet puller and saw the yellow primer dust. Otherwise I've had no issue reusing them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted November 28 Share Posted November 28 Just curious...how many primers are we talking about? Phantom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted November 28 Share Posted November 28 I see you've already remedied your issue, but... If the only problem is the primer is high, I keep a LEE hand priming tool in my reloading room and in my truck, with shell holders for both .357 and .45 in a Ziplock bag. I have also deprimed live primers when I noticed the brass had split after expanding the mouth. I do a quick visual of the anvil for any damage and re-use most without thought. If I see something that doesn't look right with the anvil, I'll load it and then mark the primer with a black Sharpie and use it for practice. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted November 29 Share Posted November 29 have done this with success but not a large quantity - if i had a lot of them it might make sense but for a small quantity its a lot of messing about with not a lot of reward - some get damaged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted December 1 Share Posted December 1 I keep a box on my bench for “reject” loads, with the thought I will break them down and at a minimum am save the brass, possibly the primers, give the lead (if deformed) to a friend who casts. After several years the box was full. I broke down about 4 rounds with a “Pile Driver”. The rest of the box now sleeps with the fishes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Moses Posted December 1 Author Share Posted December 1 On 11/28/2024 at 11:37 AM, Phantom, SASS #54973 said: Just curious...how many primers are we talking about? Phantom I had a cup I saved rounds that need fixin. About 25 all told. Easy fix. Glad to know it works. I did toss 6 or 8 that had other issues that were too hard to fix 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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