De-capping a live primer ????

[widgeon]

Is there a safe way to do it?

 

[velvetant]

same way you do a spent primer. Just go a little slower and make sure you have eye protection on just in case.
I've decapped hundreds of live primers and never had one go off

 

[DrMike]

same way you do a spent primer. Just go a little slower and make sure you have eye protection on just in case.

You're pressing the anvil the wrong direction for ignition.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Agreed, just go slow. I've had to do it myself on more than one occasion.

 

[widgeon]

Thanks, guys!
I almost tried it this afternoon, but thought I should consult the experts.

Safety first. :mrgreen:

 

[FOTIS]

Like they said sloooooooow. You can ignite it with a hard hit.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I used to fire them off thinking that it was the safest approach. Then I read where most folks just press them out like a spent primer. Tried it, it works. Safety glasses helps with the confidence factor.

 

[widgeon]

Thank you for all of the replies.

While I'm at it, I'll ask another question.

Considering that I de-dap prior to any case prep or loading, would it make sence to remove the pin from my sizing dies?

 

[joelkdouglas]

I remove the decapping pins from mu sizing dies, unless they're integral to the die (Lee mandrel, for example).

I use a universal decapping die before tossing the brass in the tumbler.

Weird how we all develop our own unnecessary little quirks.

 

[JD338]

Thank you for all of the replies.

While I'm at it, I'll ask another question.

Considering that I de-dap prior to any case prep or loading, would it make sence to remove the pin from my sizing dies?

How are you decapping?

JD338

 

[widgeon]

I remove the decapping pins from mu sizing dies, unless they're integral to the die (Lee mandrel, for example).

I use a universal decapping die before tossing the brass in the tumbler.

Weird how we all develop our own unnecessary little quirks.

I prefer to decap prior to cleaning as well. Nolt sure if that's good or right, but makes sence to me.

 

[widgeon]

Thank you for all of the replies.

While I'm at it, I'll ask another question.

Considering that I de-dap prior to any case prep or loading, would it make sence to remove the pin from my sizing dies?

How are you decapping?

JD338

I use an RCBS decapping die.

 

[JD338]

Thank you for all of the replies.

While I'm at it, I'll ask another question.

Considering that I de-dap prior to any case prep or loading, would it make sence to remove the pin from my sizing dies?

How are you decapping?

JD338

OK, got it.

Any reason why the extra step?
I resize my cases and they prep them. Just curious.

JD338


I use an RCBS decapping die.

 

[widgeon]

OK, got it.

Any reason why the extra step?
I resize my cases and they prep them. Just curious.

JD338


I use an RCBS decapping die.[/quote][/quote]


In the begining, I usied a liquid case cleaner. Too cheap to buy a tumbler. Things have changed, but it has become part of my SOP.

 

[DaveA37]

I tumble the cases prior to decapping. The reason I do this is the tumbling media will plug up the primer pockets and it's a real pain to have to pick the media out of the primer pocket. Once tumbled, I decap and resize. Last, I clean the primer pocket and I'm redy to proceed. Cleaning the cases first, lets me see if there are any case defaults (cracks, etc.) Been doing it this way for some time and never had any problems.

Decapping live primers is done as stated by others, "slooooooooooow and easy" (with safety glasses on).

 

[treesnake]

I'm probably the biggest newbie here so forgive if I'm speaking out of turn but the Nosler reloading guide says to put the brass in a rifle, fire it and then decap it. I;m a little shocked that none of the senior reloaders here has suggested to follow the manual instructions, which, to me, seems like the safest and most reasonable way to do it. I am a work veteran in a dangerous field that loses 3 men a week to fatal accidents. We always do what the established safety rules state and of course our grizzly veterans will break the rules because they have learned what to get away with but we never suggest to rookies that they do the same.

 

[widgeon]

Safety is always at the top of my list. In this case, I no longer own a rifle chambered in the cartridges I needed to disassemble.

I took the advice from this thread. I wore safety glasses and operated the press very slowly. No problems.

 

[DrMike]

Good point, treesnake. The safest course is to fire the primed case. Others have suggested soaking the primer in light oil, which renders it ineffective. You are correct that some become casual after some time. However, since we are not speaking of a fully charged case, many of us have found that we can deprime a live case by carefully running the ram into the case to push the primer out. You will note that almost all urged caution, wearing safety glasses and decapping slowly and steadily. There is assuredly a risk associated with such decapping. However, most have come to the conclusion that the risk is minimal. It is possible to ignite a primer in this way, though it is not really probable.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Treesnake,

You are correct that "dry-firing" the primers prior to removal would be the safest course of action. It actually never occurred to me to see what my manual said, if anything, about the subject.

However, I believe "dry-firing" primers requires me to be at the firing range, which is not easily done.

Correct again, that we should recommend the safest COA along with the less-safe alternative. Thanks for your input.

v/r
Joel