Is it safe to decap live BR-2 primer?

popgun

Hi,

I've been away for a bit, now getting back into reloading (and hence the forum.)

I think I know the answer to my question, but just putting this out to make sure.

I made a rookie mistake and - after adjusting a Lee collet neck-sizing die according to the instructions(thinking it was then adjusted correctly) - I then proceeded to neck size and add primers to 100 (once fired in my rifle) cases.

I then found - to my great frustration - that the die was not adjusted properly, and that all the case mouths were so big that one could push in the bullets with one's finger, with no pressure at all.

Believe me, that's a mistake I'll never make again!

Anyway, I now have 100 cases with live BR-2 primers in them that now need to be full-length resized (my full-length die is adjusted perfectly - I've already checked.)

If I pull the handle V-E-R-Y slowly, would it be safe to resize the 100 cases, decapping the live primers?

A friend has told me "NO!", that I should first take the cases to the range and pop them in my rifle - but I first wanted to get other opinions here before doing that.

I realize my friend is probably right - but did want to check here also. Thanks for your help.

jonk

Well I'd use a universal decapper to do this but yes, it is perfectly safe to decap live cases. I've only had one go off ever, and it harmlessly discharged into the die body. You could use your neck dies as well, don't see why not. The flame from the primer isn't powerful enough to really hurt you if it goes into the die, though I would wear safety goggles as if one DOES go off, it might spit out the bottom fairly fast.

flyingtorpedo

I've decapped some live primers. I wear my safety glasses and some ear protection in case on goes off. I've even decapped some crimped military cases as I didn't want corossive primers. I used my universad decapper and once you feel it hit the primer use a slow, steady pressure. However, you may not need to remove the primer. You may be able to move the decapper in you full length die up far enough that you can size the necks without worrying about the primer at all.

oneoldsap

Why not remove the decapping pin from your FL die and resize them, I've done it before, works fine ,just don't go crazy with lube !

jonk

You could try removing the mandrel from the neck die and sizing more as is, but the neck die in question works by squeezing a 3 piece collet against the brass, and the brass against a mandrel......no mandrel might size TOO much. But worth a shot.

Nwcid

I agree. Use a universal decaping die and go slow. Safety glasses a must.

I would just leave them primed and run the in the sizing die without the decaping pin in. I cant see a reason that would cause the primer to go off by resizing. Just keep other your bench clear of things like powder.

shooterone

Stand the cases up and pour some motor oil in the cases and let it set over night. Then decap. That is the safe way.

brier-49

Take the decapping pin out of the die.

mbsams

forget the oil - for many reasons, I have decaped thousands of live primers over the years - never a problem - push gently - don't let a big pile form in the catcher. You'll be fine

Rocky Raab

Shooterone's intentions are good. But there are two problems with oil in the cases. One, primers these days are sealed to keep contaminating oil out, so this trick doesn't deactivate them. Two, what does one do with the residual oil that's then in the case? If it deactivates these primers, it would deactivate the next ones you seat, too - or the powder.

HandLoad

I have FL resized many cases with primers in - never a probllem with any single one. Just pull out the decapping pin.

shooterone

Motor oil WILL deactivate a primer when it is applied from inside the case. Then when you pour the oil out you mix the cases in some thing like paint thinner, I use air brush paint thinner, then let dry thoroughly. No accidents.

Nwcid

quote:Originally posted by shooterone
Motor oil WILL deactivate a primer when it is applied from inside the case. Then when you pour the oil out you mix the cases in some thing like paint thinner, I use air brush paint thinner, then let dry thoroughly. No accidents.


Not to beat this to death but why? Why would you want to ruin perfectly good primers AND make a complete mess to have to clean up and deal with?

popgun

Thanks everyone for your info and suggestions.

I can't find instructions on how to take the decapping pin out of the Lee full-length sizing die (NOT the collet die,) but I'll play with it a bit and see if it comes out easily (I'm not very mechanically inclined, unfortunately.)

If I can't do so, I'll slowly punch out the primers while I full-length resize the cases.

One further question: if I have to punch out the primers, will that damage them beyond useage, or can I put them back into the cases once the cases are resized?

Thanks again.

reloader44mag

quote:Originally posted by mbsams
forget the oil - for many reasons, I have decaped thousands of live primers over the years - never a problem - push gently - don't let a big pile form in the catcher. You'll be fine
See red, above and you will have no problems. I havent done thousands but hundreds.

flyingtorpedo

quote:Originally posted by popgun
Thanks everyone for your info and suggestions.

I can't find instructions on how to take the decapping pin out of the Lee full-length sizing die
Very easy to do. Just need a 3/4 and 1/2 wrench. Put the die in your press. The 3/4 goes on die body and 1/2 inch goes on the collet at the very top of the die and turn left. It may take a bit of force. I scanned a copy of my instructions if you want to save them.


Had to edit that, forgot to past the link.[B)][:I]

jonk

Yes, you can reuse the primers.

Rocky Raab

Shooterone, I think the idea is worth a test. I have no plans to put oil in any of my cases, but it doesn't bother you. So, how about seating 20 primers, dump in some oil and then after they've soaked, dump it out and feed the primer-only cases in your gun to see if any fire. Report back.

(Not a flame. I'm genuinely curious.)

I.Shute

Re-read your responses carefully.
You used the decapper to remove the old primers. If you want to re-size, why do you want to remove the live primers?
Pull out the deprimer pin and do the re-sizing.

You ONLY need the deprimer pin to deprime fired cases, not to resize cases or seat bullets.

popgun

Thanks again to everyone.

I will try to remove the pin - and thanks so much for that info, Torpedo.

Isn't that from an old 40's serial, "The Flying Torpedo!"? I seem to remember seeing one like that in the 50's on TV when I was a kid.

Thanks again.

flyingtorpedo

You're welcome popgun. I thought I would get some use out of the scanner that's part of my printer. I don't know about that being from the 50's as that was long before my time. My parents were just a few years old then. I "stole" it from my sister. Several years ago we were joking around and had been calling each other differnt things, nothing bad, just along the line of idiot. She then called me a flying torpedo. Needless to say, she won that round because I couldn't come up with anything close to that.

shooterone

This is my last reply to the primer question. I had live primers that I wanted to remove from the cases in the past. I got in contact with the MANUFACTORS of the primers and the full length die. I cant remember who the primers were, but the die was Forster. Both of these companys told me the oil trick was the safest. And I am talking about safety. End of my story.

I.Shute

Hey, you guys - forget the primer problem, - there isn't one!

popgun needs those primers to light off the powder so he can shoot the bullets down-range.

Why should he push them out and then stick them back in again? That depriming pin is for shoving out spent primers. He's already done that.

You can buy new primed brass and can size them and load them.
Never saw a note telling me to deprime them first.