Decapping Primers and Reusing Them

[nulfisin]

If proper eye and ear protection is used to decap (with a sizing die) some poorly loaded rounds, is it OK to reuse the primers? I've never bothered to try, but I want to pull a couple dozen bullets and would prefer not to waste the primers. These are large pistol primers. Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have done so. They all fired when recycled but obviously I did not use them for anything serious like combat, competition, or trophy hunt.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes you can, as long as the primer compound isn't crushed and falling out.
Or the anvil loose and falling out.

Generally, unless the primer was crushed too hard when seated the first time, pushing them back out in the die will not harm them.

Or, if you just want to re-size the cases and re-use them, take out the primer punch pin and leave them primed.

rc

 

[oneounceload]

I have done it many times on both metallic and shotshell - every one has gone bang when reloaded into another case. It isn't that big of a deal - go slowly and pay attention

 

[moooose102]

i have done it a dozen times. just go slow with the ram and you should be fine.

 

[Offfhand]

For only a couple dozen? Thrown them out.

 

[Drthelongshot]

I've done it. They all go bang. But I would only use for practice rounds, not competition or self defense

 

[Clarence]

I would toss em out without thinking twice about it.

 

[jcwit]

Have done it many, many times. They go bang just like all the others. No need to waste them.

Remember now is the time to be GREEN!

 

[Ret.CWO]

Done it many times over the years. You have been given very good advise, so I wont bore you with mine. Go for it.

 

[nulfisin]

Thanks to all. RCModel had a great idea that I'm embarrassed I didn't think of myself.

 

[Doug b]

I've done it exactly 6 times in 22 Hornet,one primer fell out.That was enough for me never again.

 

[Sidewinder72]

You can reuse if they are still in good shape. Reused primers many times.

 

[wilkersk]

I'd wear gloves and eye/ear protection when you "de-prime" a live round. I had one go bang recently.

The primer didn't get started in the hole right, so I stopped and set that brass in my reject box. When I got around to "de-prime" it, it did so explosively. Thankfully I'd anticipated just that.

 

[Sam1911]

Done that exact thing many, many times. No problems.

-Sam