Primer Detonation Due to Static Electricity????

[Skeezix]

Was talking about reloading area set-up with an acquaintance yesterday and he asked me if my loading bench was grounded to prevent static buildup from detonating primers while loading. I have NEVER heard of this. He said that he had heard of guys walking up to their bench and reaching for some primers and a static spark from their hand setting them off, and also some progressive presses building up a charge as they ran. Again, I've never heard of this, but I'm not saying that it's impossible.

He moved here about 6 years ago from somewhere that has a much drier climate than we have here in Alabama, but even here in fall or winter I'll sometimes get a little zap from a doorknob or something.

What say y'all, worry or no worry?? (Like we need SOMETHING ELSE to worry about...)

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’ve never worried about that. I also never directly handle primers. They go from the tray into the hand press, into the cartridge. I will occasionally see some static in the powder drop tube, but not enough that I feel I have to worry about it.

 

[wapitibob]

Have you ever seen a box of primers shipped from the mfg in a static bag?

 

[buffybr]

How do you ground a wooden workbench?

In almost 59 years of rifle, pistol, and shotshell reloading including almost 20 years of reloading at least 10K shotshells each year for competitive Trap and Skeet shooting, this "problem" never occured to me.

 

[Shooter Mike]

Never an issue for me, even with a progressive press.

The majority, I think, have wooden work benches anyway.

Until someone convinces me that I need to ground my wooden bench to prevent primers from firing off, I’ll continue to live in blissful ignorance. Matter of fact, the store shelves where primers sit are not grounded either, and I’ve never heard of any issues there either.


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[NRA4LIFE]

Yeah, grounding wood is not in the cards. Never, ever heard of this. Been loading for 40 years now. I think whoever you heard this from is either lying or needs to put down the crack pipe.

 

[waspocrew]

No, not an issue at all.

 

[North of 60]

yeah, lots of other things to give air time to in the worry zone of one's mind.

 

[Taudisio]

I have only heard of one primer incident in real life. He admitted to strong handing them and believed it was sideways going in as well. Other stories I’ve heard were all rumors/assumptions/internet lore.

 

[Shooter Mike]

Think of the billions of loaded rounds sitting in metal ammo cans.


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[Skeezix]

Well, all y'all had the same reaction I had. I've been reloading for 60 years and have never heard of anything like this. Have seen 10's of thousands of primers shipped, handled, and loaded and never a concern for static. I've been in a room with a dozen motorized progressives running with no concerns other than normal cleaning and maintenance.

 

[Sadie]

I think this is a black powder thing.