CCI Primers

[riverrat373]

I stopped reloading about 25 years ago but kept some of the components I had at the time. I have about 6000 CCI primers that were from that period and wonder if they are still good. They were stored in an unheated garage in an old briefcase through mild and cold winters and mild and hot summers.I just recently started reloading again and wonder, should I dispose of them or use them?

 

[GW Staar]

Open a box of the primers and pour them out on a primer tray. If you don't see anything out of the ordinary...corrosion, swelling, etc. Then reload 'em and shoot 'em. I never stopped reloading, but I found some primers I stored away (hid) too well, probably 32 years old...and shot them. No difference at all.

Main thing is whether they have been stored dry and in original containers.

 

[GooseGestapo]

If they were kept dry and not allowed to get overly hot, they should be OK.

Load a few in sized cases and test fire them. If they "pop", they should be good.

Powder is what you have to keep cool and dry. I had an un-AIRCONDITIONED shop that I reloaded in. I had some surplus H322 and H414 that I bought in 8lb kegs in the late '80's. The H322 deterioated and ate up the cases and the powder "soured" that was left in the keg. Had to throw out the last 1-2lbs, and many of the loaded rounds that went unfired (mostly some .35Rem) had to be disassembled to salvage the bullets. Powder, primers, and cases were ruined.

Primers will ususally hold up unless temps are extreame. Then they likely go "pop" on their own making a real mess! (exploded shop/fire).

I keep all my powder(s) in an old refrigerator (not so old Maytag.. with thermostat set in warmest setting to save power ~43degF) in my basement garage to comply with fire codes. Primers are kept in a seperate room (gun room/walk-in safe) that is airconditioned/heated, so deterioration isn't an issue.

 

[moosehunt]

They are certainly, absolutely NO good! I'll forward my address and you should send them to me straight away for proper disposal.

 

[riverrat373]

OK moosehunt! They will be sent via next day air special delivery

 

[Publius1688]

6000 CCI primers! drool........
I doubt there are six thousand primers available for sale in all of Knoxville.

 

[Visionz45]

I found 70 Herters large rifle primers in my fathers unheated extension off his house. The temperature out there gets very cold in the winter months and very hot and muggy in the summer months. They have lived there whole life out there and every single primer fired. I was surprised! I still wouldn't load them in hunting ammo. Have fun

 

[SAUMHUNTER79]

Look'em over then load a few up, if they go bang they should be fine.

 

[Ky Larry]

I found a box of .357's I reloaded in 1976 at Mom's. They had been in a bedroom closet for 33 years. (CCI primers, Bullseye powder.) and they shot fine. I don't know if temp variations affect primers. Why not load a few and see how they work?