Crunched cases

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
199
Location
Suffield, Ohio
I have been having a heck of a time setting up for 32 acp loads. On a few rounds in the seating-crimping station I crunched the cases so bad I can't get the primer out to trash the case. I don't want to go through the effort in cutting the case to push out the primer. What can I squirt into the empty case to kill the primer. I have used oil but not sure it will work. I hope there is a sure fire method so I don't have to worry about them.
 
A big hammer on concrete.

Oil/WD-40 etc is not 100% effective. Tough little buggers they are.

The range brass I bought for .32 ACP varies quite a bit in length from brand to brand. It caused a bit of trouble getting the dies set up to suit me. Is that what you ran into?
 
I would cook it off. Not because of need but so I could get a little enjoyment out of my 2 cents. You can toss it in the camp fire or do it in the frying pan. With the pan you get your scrap brass back.
 
Yes with the case length. For some reason (can't explain) I thought I could use my 32 H&R mag factory crimp die, so I wasn't so accurate setting up the seating die for my taper crimp. Trimmed all cases and a few adjustments and we are rolling right along. Think I will through the primers in with the wife's popcorn. That will keep her hoppin. That is what you meant about frying pan, right?
 
That would be the only time I would consider a primer dangerous.

I throw one that had been smashed with no anvil on the wood burner as I headed to bed. My wife wasn't happy & it wasn't even loud. Needless to say a 2 cent pop was all the fun I got that night.
 
Only cook them off in an enclosed stove, pan with lid or something similar. The primer cup and or anvil flying can be dangerous.

Common sense should rule on this one!
 
Many years ago I tossed a primer in the BBQ, real bad idea. When it detonated it, I assume the cup blew through the side of the BBQ leaving a hole that looked like that of a 22 LR bullet hole.

I adjust my crimp by putting the brass in the shell holder with the ram fully extended and then screw the crimp die down till it just contacts the mouth of the case. From that point I screw the die down until I've achieved the degree of crimp necessary for the cartridge being loaded.

For the 32 ACP the crimp desired is going to be only what is necessary to close the belling up to no more than a flat surface. Keep in mind that the crimp on ACP cases is not used to create neck tension, and can really cause pressures to spike unpredictably high if the mouth dimension is reduced beyond that degree. Because ACP cartridges head space on the mouth, over crimping can allow them to chamber too deep. This causes the mouth/bullet to get pinched in the throat when discharged. When this restriction occures it drives pressures up excessively.

GS
 
^ This is what I do, right or wrong. :) Primed cases are safer than loaded ammo. And loaded ammo is safer than loose primers. The hammer sounds like more fun, though.
 
I just take a 2X4 with holes of various sizes drilled into it to drop the EMPTY brass casings in headstamp up, one at a time. Make sure the round is wedged in tightly and will not go down through the hole. Use blocks at either end to space the 2X4 off the bench/floor to allow gasses to vent. Then put on leather gloves, eye, and ear protection. Take an automatic center punch and punch the center of the primer. Lots of noise and I think it is fun.:evil: I also have a 2 inch square block of steel with a hole that is about the size of a .22 chamber drilled all the way through it. Then I drilled and tapped the 4 corners of the bottom for flat head machine screws to allow the gasses to escape and screwed them in. Set it on the 2X4 and insert the .22 brass after removing the bullet and propellant in the hole rim up. Hit the rim squarely with a 10 oz or larger ball-peen or flat hammer and it will go off. This has always worked for me but do be careful when doing it yourself.:scrutiny:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top