Reuse primers?

[Elkhntr08]

Here’s my issue. I have a couple hundred rounds of 6mm and 25-06 loaded up and no rifle for either. Can use the bullets in a 243 and 257 Weatherby, powder I can save. It’s the primers I question.
Anyone reuse primers after they’ve been popped out? Any issues or problems I should know about?

 

[83cj-7]

I’ve done it many times. Always worked fine. That said, be careful not to get oil from your fingers on them. I also try not to use them for hunting ammo, just for load development and practice rounds.

 

[lennywd87]

I’ve never had a problem with reusing primers and have been forced to deload around a thousand or so rounds over the years. I will be doing it today actually, to some 300blk aac I prematurely primed and will be using for .223 varmint rounds. When depriming make sure to go slow prior of pin to primer contact and through extraction when using the press and wear safety glasses just in case. I’ve never had any issues and have moved fairly quickly, safety is #1 though. I’ll be using mine for hunting as well and unless you are using the same powder in all your loads I’d try to get any loose grains out. Oils from hands are bad as well but I alway rock latex gloves while reloading, I’m not a fan of eating lead in any way.


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[rayporter]

oil on your hands is not likely to harm primers. many a benchrest shooter loads primers with their fingers one at a time into hand priming tools and shoot record groups.

you can test it quickly enough by spraying them with wd 40 or something and seeing how long it takes to kill them. you can also put them in water and fish them out and see if they shoot.

 

[lennywd87]

oil on your hands is not likely to harm primers. many a benchrest shooter loads primers with their fingers one at a time into hand priming tools and shoot record groups.

you can test it quickly enough by spraying them with wd 40 or something and seeing how long it takes to kill them. you can also put them in water and fish them out and see if they shoot.

Anything positive to contribute to the conversation other than conjecture @rayporter


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[rayporter]

well, i have sprayed primers with oil and shot them. and i have put them in water and shot them.

and i have personally sat beside a lot of shooters [dozens] that load primers with their fingers one at a time into priming tools and have never witnessed a failure to fire. single loading priming tools are the primary tool used to seat primers by benchrest shooters.

if you shake the oil off of your fingers or wipe your fingers on your pants there is not a zzz axx chance in vvvvv you will kill a primer by touching it with your fingers.

 

[lennywd87]

well, i have sprayed primers with oil and shot them. and i have put them in water and shot them.

and i have personally sat beside a lot of shooters [dozens] that load primers with their fingers one at a time into priming tools and have never witnessed a failure to fire. single loading priming tools are the primary tool used to seat primers by benchrest shooters.

if you shake the oil off of your fingers or wipe your fingers on your pants there is not a zzz axx chance in vvvvv you will kill a primer by touching it with your fingers.

Lol I’ll take that as a no @rayporter. With the current primer market I wouldn’t suggest soaking them in water or oil or anything of the sort. When primers are made, the explosive is a wet paste form, applied with a putty knife or something like it into a tray and then dried. So as long as they aren’t wet when fired I’m sure they’d be fine. I just wouldn’t make it a habit of touching any reloading supplies without latex gloves due to chemical transfer. But, If you want to lube cases, reload bullets and primers barehanded then lick your fingers after or while you do that’s on you I guess. I suppose if you live in California you’re screwed either way since even the talcum powder in latex causes cancer these days lol.


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[Rob5589]

No problems. I've done it a few times. As far a oily fingers, an old wives tale IMO. I have no idea how many primers I have touched over the years without a single misfire. Maybe an issue if you change the oil in your car right before reloading I suppose

 

[rayporter]

what ever floats your boat. you get to wear the crown at your castle and do it your way.

you asked! i simply stated i had tested this.

personally i use a 21st century priming tool with a tray and rarely touch primers. but that is just for speed.

 

[jlvandersnick]

I've done this alot. Never had a problem