Old Primers (?)

[45-70 Chevroner]

I came across some old Winchester primers. I'm pretty sure of the condition, the boxes are in excellent condition and have been in a very dry area. They were stored in a basement in north eastern Arizona. I'm not sure of the age. They are Winchester boxes of a 100 and the box is mostly yellow with the number #120 and it says they are non-mercuric primers, I looked them up on the net and they are Large Rifle primers. I guess I can test them but was wondering what you thoughts on them are.
Thanks.

[IraqVet1982]

Sounds dangerous. You better ship them to me so I can properly dispose of them.

[Outpost75]

I am still using old round-cup Winchester 120 primers in white paper sleeves with wooden trays from the 1940s.

[pworley1]

Use them and enjoy.

[300winmag]

Load and shoot, enjoy.
300

[TMenezes]

Your primers should be fine, the explosive compound is surprisingly resistant to age and even moisture. Some people here even soaked some in water for days and found even that didn't kill them.

[Hang Fire]

Bingo TMenezes, you are correct.

Long ago I had some mishaps seating primers, so decided to fill cases with water and let sit. Few days later dumped the water and started depriming, all was going well, when bang. I then decided to test rest in pistol, all but two out of 30 went bang.

[45-70 Chevroner]

300winmag. No they are older than those, mine are in wood trays not plastic. They don't say 81/2 120's, they are just No. 120 and right under that there is a code (K1630P). The box does not have the big W on it. I wish I could put a picture on here but this computer is not working quite right.

[retread]

I have a bunch I picked up in a garage sale. Late 50's and early 60's Winchester and Western in wood trays. Not one "fail to fire" yet and I don't expect one.

[Avery Arms]

There have been many primer compositions used over the years and some store better than others, also you can't be sure they have been in AZ their entire life and have never been exposed to moisture or chemicals.

I've had bad primers twice not counting loaded/surplus ammo, both happened to be small pistol primers, one lot was Russian "heavy metal free" that were only a few years old and the other lot was Remington "mercury free" (probably lead azide) that were in paper covered wooden trays so likely 60+ years old. In both cases all primers "fired" but were too weak for proper ignition and resulted in grossly underpowered loads that were useless. The Russian primers I was using in 9mm ammo and it would not cycle any gun I had not even the blowback designs while the Remington primers were loaded in .38 specials that fired but were so weak the bullet would not even go flush into a pine board, likely only 300-400fps from a load that should have produced over 800fps.

It would be ideal if you had access to a pressure testing gun or chronograph to see exactly how they are performing compared to new primers but since most people have neither at least fire a few primed casings and then a few loaded rounds to get some idea what you are up against. If they sound like toy caps you'll know they'll never make good ammo.

Oh and save your empty boxes for eBay.

[GoodOlBoy]

I picked up several thousand Western Staynless primers at a gunshow not all that long ago. Buddies gave me the horse laugh because I bought those "OLD" primers and they probably wouldn't work (at $15 per K I wasn't about to pass on them) so far not a single failure to fire correctly each and every time. Only downside is that now I am running low and I know I won't get to replace them for the same price

Shoot and enjoy, nothing wrong with them primers.

GoodOlBoy

[big bore 99]

I agree, they should be ok. I tried once years ago to kill a couple primers before knocking them out. I sprayed WD-40 in them and let them sit for a couple hours, then dumped it out and they still went bang.

[6bg6ga]

As long as they have been kept dry they usually will work fine.

[zuke]

Sound's like the one's I was given to dispose of. Which I am, one caseing at a time.I was given 8-900

[dondiego]

I am starting up a "Primer Disposal and Lead Recycling" business if anyone is interested.

[MtGun44]

American made old primers are quite reliable. IME, British primers from WW2 era are
not as reliable, sadly. Of course, poor storage could be the culprit, but I have had a LOT
of bad .303 Brit primers and almost never any US made bad primers, even from much
older ammo.

Bill

[45-70 Chevroner]

There have been many primer compositions used over the years and some store better than others, also you can't be sure they have been in AZ their entire life and have never been exposed to moisture or chemicals.

I've had bad primers twice not counting loaded/surplus ammo, both happened to be small pistol primers, one lot was Russian "heavy metal free" that were only a few years old and the other lot was Remington "mercury free" (probably lead azide) that were in paper covered wooden trays so likely 60+ years old. In both cases all primers "fired" but were too weak for proper ignition and resulted in grossly underpowered loads that were useless. The Russian primers I was using in 9mm ammo and it would not cycle any gun I had not even the blowback designs while the Remington primers were loaded in .38 specials that fired but were so weak the bullet would not even go flush into a pine board, likely only 300-400fps from a load that should have produced over 800fps.

It would be ideal if you had access to a pressure testing gun or chronograph to see exactly how they are performing compared to new primers but since most people have neither at least fire a few primed casings and then a few loaded rounds to get some idea what you are up against. If they sound like toy caps you'll know they'll never make good ammo.

Oh and save your empty boxes for eBay.

I'm sure they have been here in Arizona, sense they were bought. They guy was born and raised and died in this small town.
I will keep the old boxes, I just have to be very careful not to tear the box up when opening.

[leadman]

I read an article about disposing of old primers and a rep from one of the companies said it is almost impossible to "kill" a modern primer.
I had some cases that I had pulled down so I put engine oil in about 4 of them. After a couple of days I tipped the over and let them drain for awhile. Later I put them in a gun and every one went off. I did develop a new method to oil the barrel at the same time!

[karlrudin]

I recently got some large rifle primers that were dated 1979. Been working fine for me. Have come across some that had corrosion starting on the outside of the cup from a box of pistol primers. Didn't use them. Safe then sorry. Other than that I would use them.

[Kent Fowler]

I have a 1k of the yellow box Winchester 8-1/2- 120 primers. They have paper trays with wooden dividers and work fine in my 257 Roberts