Water proof primers?

[BNE]

I traded with friend for some .44 brass. I took the lot and cleaned them in a mild citric acid solution. I then dried them in the sun and finished them off in the tumbler.

As I was pulling them from the tumbler, I found ten pieces that were primed.

I set those 10 aside and tried to fire them off. To my surprise, 9 out 10 fired!

I have a new respect for primers!

[sawinredneck]

As I understand it, the primer itself is waterproof, they put sealer on them to keep the powder dry, same reason they sealed bullets on some military rounds.

[Bzcraig]

I did exactly the same thing a couple of months back only 5/6 pieces of 223 and all went pop after 2 hours of tumbling in water, Dawn, Turtle Wax wash/wax and Lemishine.

[BNE]

the question is, why aren't you decapping before cleaning?

Lemi shine and citric acid supposedly creates a very destructive acid on primers that on other forum will apparently eat the primer and make it split into pieces if you deprime said shined primers

I used to de prime then clean, but I scratched a carbide die and I now at least tumble som to knock any dirt off.

Also, I use a progressive press now and it doesn't make sense to handle multiple times.

The point of the post was to point out the toughness of the primers we use. I assumed they would not have remained functional after a liquid cleaning.

[rond]

I always clean my brass first also.

[tdoor4570]

I deprime with a univ deprime die them clean only clean brass gets close to my dies

[GhostHawk]

I deprime with a Frankford Arsenal hand deprimer, then citric acid wash/rinse, clean primer pockets while damp, roll on a towel on my leg to get stubborn grime off. Then dry, then they are ready to size, prime, charge and set bullet.

It is not a cheap tool at around 60$ but it seems to be tough enough to last.
Mine lives upstairs so I can deprime while watching TV.

[Outpost75]

Primers are routinely sealed with a lacquer to prevent liberation of primer dust which could cause a static-induced explosion in the loading machine. This has been standard practice in WW1. WATER does NOT deactivate primers. SOLVENTS such as Stoddard or aliphatic mineral spirits will, most of the time, IF you are patient.

ATF and acetone 50-50 works most of the time...