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Posted: 8/13/2008 2:05:59 PM EDT
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I loaded some cases that wont chamber in my rifle. Sizing die was improperly adjusted. So I have pulled the bullets and recovered the powder. What do I do about the primed cases? I can't chamber them and pop the primers. Is it safe to deprime with live primers? Thanks, Bulldog |
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Yes, it is safe to deprime them. Ideally use a universal depriming die, as it provides more room for pressure to go should one detonate. You can minimize the chances of having one go off by doing the press stroke slowly and gently. Obviously wear safety glasses. Most of us here have pushed out numerous live primers and I've never heard of one going off. Anything is possible, obviously, so be careful. Edit: Then get a case gauge to set up your resize die. 
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That's what you need to do. Then get you a GOOD set of calipers and a Hornady - Stoney Point case headspace gauge and learn to set your sizer to bump the shoulder back .002 or .003". |
His case necks might need to be expanded after being sized down. Alternatively, if possible, the decapping pin could be removed and the expander used as usual during resizing. Or it might even be possible to back the expander/decapping pin assembly up high enough to work without disturbing the primer. |
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IMHO..... It's not safe to de-prime live cases and that's doubly true, when it involves someone else's body parts (whom I don't know). I might try it........buy why, take the risk? And.........there is another way. _______________________________________________ That being said......... I'd would just remove the de-capping stem and re-size those cases. This time.........please check for correct headspace before, going further with the re-loading process.
Aloha, Mark |
Why is it not safe? What risk? Eye and ear protection, a glove if you are that uncomfortable. Just what could happen if the primer went at the bottom of the stroke? Not much more than a good cleaning of the vent-hole in the sizer die. |
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I have deprimed live primers on my press many times. Slowly, to be sure, and with eye and ear protection, but I've also never had one go off doing this. With that said, Mark's suggestion to remove the depriming stem from the sizing die is spot on. You can even use some case trimmers on primed cases if the cases wind up growing a bit from sizing. Two issues to think about, and they are things you should think about any time you put primed cases in the press: Do not place any portion of your body OVER the case when the ram is up, and wear eye protection. I do that when loading, and it's smart for anyone to do. |
Maybe I went too far........... How about.........a change of underwear? Fainting? Heart Attack?  O.K. So, that last one, might be a big leap (if not an exaggeration). Though, I wish that everyone would consider the possible down side. Before, they categorically say something is, SAFE.Aloha, Mark |
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It is amazing how many believe that WD40 will deactivate a primer. That belief sets up a significant surprise. |
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spent primers should do the trick but for dummy rounds not having anything in the primer cup makes it that much easier to identify it as a dummy round vs a misfired live cartridge |
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