Primers installed backwards - is there a safe way to remove them?

[jkc054054]

I am new to reloading so I am making the newbie mistakes. My latest mistake is that on the first two 223 REM brass cases I installed the primers backwards. Is there a safe way to remove them, can I use my Lee decapping/resizing die in my press to decap them?

 

[x10]

I was informed the way a primer works is that the little piece in the center is called the anvil and that if its not pressed down into the primer by the seating procedure that primers are pretty hard to set off,

I have always just ran them through my decapper, Never had a problem, But your on your own,

 

[tohm]

I have a progressive and ocasionaly end up with primers in backwards. I usually have a decapping die in a single stage lee and just ease them back out.

 

[jkc054054]

I have a single stage Lee too. I thought it would be ok but I always say safety first and I did not want to rush into decapping the brass until I knew for sure I could do it safely.

 

[xring62]

I do the same as TOHM but rub a spot of oil into it 1st,just to be safer

 

[SERparacord]

I have a progressive and ocasionaly end up with primers in backwards. I usually have a decapping die in a single stage lee and just ease them back out.

^This. I'd hang a towel over the die too just in case. Primers usually only go off from a fast, sharp blow.

 

[billybob44]

Push out+Reuse..

I have a progressive and ocasionaly end up with primers in backwards. I usually have a decapping die in a single stage lee and just ease them back out.

+1 Just push out-Slow+Steady..

I do the same as TOHM but rub a spot of oil into it 1st,just to be safer

No need to do this. You can reuse the primer after removal..Bill

 

[Leo]

Even though I do not feel removing a live primer is very dangerous, I definitely make sure all powders are put away and off the bench as well any other primers. No point in being sloppy and accepting greater risk.

 

[RSW]

Go slow. You can also dip it in water so you can make the primer inactive.

 

[M67]

I too use a single stage press with a decapping die in it as a back up press.

Like others have said, go slow. Just for sakes of being safe I usually wear ear muffs even though I go slow

 

[lon]

...and don't forget your safety glasses_

 

[nucular]

Go slow. You can also dip it in water so you can make the primer inactive.

I wouldn't count on water or oil to deactivate a primer. I ran a little experiment a while back and nothing seemed to kill the little boogers. Water, oil, wd40... You name it.

 

[warthog]

you know, aside from my saying this, I think I will stay out f this one for a change...

You get 'em Bill Bob!

 

[jcwit]

Primers are set off by sudden impact as with a fast moving pin, they are not set off with slow constant pressure. Press them out using your press and sizing die and depriming rod/pin.

Furthermore water will possibler deactive a primer for a short time till they dry out. I dropped a tray in the cats water dish once, fished all the primers out and let them dry on the window sill in the sun for a few days, loaded them up and all went well, no misfires.

Final word, its a primer, not an atomic bomb, if depriming using a press and sizing dir and depriming rod/pin everything is enclosed and if perchance it would go off, which is next to impossible, the primer cup will only go down the slot in the ram that spent primers go down. In my press they go down and out the back, plenty safe.

 

[dugsagun]

I have also removed wrong way primers, especially when i first taught my buddy how to reload, heh. Like everyone says, SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLLYYYYY is the key.

 

[sloughfoot]

I have been making ammo for more than 40 years. Everybody gets a primer in upside down sometimes even the factory. Just push them out with your resizing die and reuse them.

 

[Leo]

I wouldn't count on water or oil to deactivate a primer. I ran a little experiment a while back and nothing seemed to kill the little boogers. Water, oil, wd40... You name it.

+1

 

[kludge]

+1 Just push out-Slow+Steady..


No need to do this. You can reuse the primer after removal..Bill

+1

 

[Bang-bang]

Thanks for the info, I'm a newbie to reloading also. (>5k loaded)

 

[tdmman]

Roger all of the above. I've removed several with my Rockchucker. I always wear safety goggles. I've never thought about wearing muffs. PS I tried last week using my off-brand Chinese hammer-type bullet remover for the first time. Two light taps and the handle broke off. I guess pay me now or pay me later applies.