Deactivating Rimfire Primers

[Hypnogator]

I've been asked to create some authentic-looking dummy .22 WMR rounds for a museum display. I plan to CAREFULLY drill a hole in the side of the cartridges using a wooden jig in a vice behind some armor glass, then dump out the powder. The museum isn't comfortable with leaving the primers live, but doesn't want the firing pin crush on them necessary to safely detonate them.

I had planned to put a few drops of Kroil into them, then set them upright for a week or so. There's also a dinosaur thread here that recommends using denatured alcohol for centerfire primers.

Does anyone here have a better solution? All serious replies appreciated!

 

[dh1633pm]

Why not just contact an ammo maker and ask for what you want. Otherwise I would assume an oil would deactivate.

 

[brewer12345]

I think I would pull the bullets, dump the powder, figure out how to deactivate the primer, and put the bullet back in. Drilling a cartridge scares me.

 

[Atavar]

Once opened you could deactivate the primers with a torch.
This sound like a fun science experiment. Put on goggles and a hat and gloves. Gently grasp the empty case in a vice grip. Set it facing up in the driveway. Drop a lit wooden kitchen match in the empty case with long needle nose pliers.
See how high the match flies.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Definitely pull the bullet. Drilling shouldn't ignite anything. But it will show as a hole.
Once you get the bullet pulled you can soak the case in acetone to get the priming compound to soften. I wouldn't guarantee it all being gone unless ignited like @Atavar suggested.

 

[Atavar]

It shouldn’t be too hard to make an adapter for a kinetic bullet puller. Just drill a .250 hole in a disk sized to fit in the puller
Drill some other holes or cut some radial slots as exhaust vents just in case.

 

[troy fairweather]

Few big drops of penetrating oil and seal the hole with wax or hot glue.

 

[Atavar]

I wouldn’t seal the hole. No need to make compression.
The problem with oil to deactivate is the primers are sealed. You can’t guarantee they go inert.

 

[Atavar]

A .250 hole drilled with a pointed bit in the end of a hardwood dowel should be a good makeshift seating tool.

 

[troy fairweather]

I wouldn’t seal the hole. No need to make compression.
The problem with oil to deactivate is the primers are sealed. You can’t guarantee they go inert.

There rimfire

 

[Englishmn]

I drilled a hole and dumped powder then heated with a lighter could probably do it better looking. Primers take a bit to cook off and kinda loud.

 

[Atavar]

There rimfire

Yeah? Still sealed.

 

[Atavar]

Bullet shouldn’t be too hard to pull. Then you wouldn’t need a hole.
If you need a jig put 2 pieces of plastic in a vice, drill a .210 hole at the seam, clamp the bullet in the seam and pull away.

 

[troy fairweather]

Yeah? Still sealed.

There is nothing separating the priming powder from the main charge on rimfires.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I've been asked to create some authentic-looking dummy .22 WMR rounds for a museum display.

How bout painting some snap caps to look like actual rounds...?

 

[GW Staar]

I think you are making it harder than it is.

Use spent cases ..... primer is already burned out.....then pull live rounds .... seat bullet from the live round into the spent round.

Wouldn't you think a dimple in the head is less a deformity than a hole in the side of the case? If you don't want that then use a steel rod that fits inside the case and pound the spent case til the dimple is gone.

An easy way to pull bullets is to shoot them into gel....or foam or something that wouldn't deform them. (now I see you have a puller that works just fine)

 

[vintovka]

Does anyone still sell commercially made .22 WMR dummy rounds? I have some .22 LR dummy/test rounds a bought long ago for the shop.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Does anyone still sell commercially made .22 WMR dummy rounds?

Rimfire Snap Caps for Sale | Midsouth Shooters (midsouthshooterssupply.com)

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

If you don't want the firing pin marks or holes in the case then you have to pull the bullet, dump any powder and add something to make the priming compound inert. Some say oil will do that, I've never tried it. I would email CCI or another manufacturer and ask their recommendation for making the compound inert.

Another possibility would be to cook off the priming compound in a fire after the bullet and powder is out. A little polish and the brass should look good.

 

[twarr1]

The drilled hole is more of a disfigurement than a dimpled primer.
If it’s for a museum CCI might send you a few unprimed cases if you asked. Worth a try.

 

[AzShooter1]

Do Not Use A Kinetic Bullet Puller On A Rimfire. Glad to see you drilled it out. That worked for you.

Pulling the bullet by hand isn't hard. That would be the best solution if you need to make more, than a little oil will kill the primer.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[forrest r]

Why not just used spent cases and reseat pulled bullet in them???

 

[jaguarxk120]

If you pull the bullets, tumble the empty case's with SS pins and Dawn/water. The water
will wash out the priming mix and the cases come out like new.
If you drill a hole, dump the powder, Wash out the priming compound
with a hypodermic and warm water.

 

[mdi]

My first thought was to pull bullets, dump powder and soak the case in acetone (water, oil, kroil, WD40 have never proved to be a consistent method of killing primers..). Maybe wet tumbling could get the priming compound out?

 

[FROGO207]

My CamLoc bullet puller will pull the bullet as needed it goes that small. You need to put the primed brass in an old SS cooking pot with a cover. Stand them up and heat as needed. Count the pops LOL. Then reinsert the bullets after polishing everything up. Use a bit of epoxy to hold bullets if needed. They look normal but deactivated.
The .22 MAG ls not rebated or crimped much. Would be same as 22 Hornet to put bullet back in after pulling it without firing in a gun.

Getting the primer compound out of the rim area is about impossible without somehow cooking it off or firing it. I have some 22 Hornet bullets i would give you and some brass if necessary but they have been fired and have the pin dent.