Reloading "Primers"

[Dieselhorses]

So for the lack of a better place to post this (and if there is, please PM me or move), I have successfully been able to breathe "new life" into my spent primers! It's like a miracle, especially since I can get very close to the performance I was getting with commercial primers, not to mention I haven't had a FTF after a few hundred "rebuilt" primers.

I know a lot of you already have enough on your plate and yes, I still have several thousand factory primers, just nice to know "how to" do this. Very interesting, fun and rewarding. I can make 1000 spp's for 1.81 :lol:

[kevin c]

Care to share your process?

[ofitg]

Deiselhorses, that's encouraging news! Another member, "Castloader", indicated that he would be trying Marshall Thompson's recipe back in August..... but he hasn't given us any updates since then -

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?428604-Spent-Primers/page3

[trapper9260]

I reload my own primers and caps for the muzzle loader and it is all for back up. I had posted on this site of how I do. I do small pistol, large pistol, large rifle , Shotgun, and caps . It took me some years to get the large rifle and caps done for what I seen from all the testing I done on both since the powder was not near where the primer and cap gose off. I use a side hammer muzzle loaders , When the powder is near the flash hole like shotgun and small pistol you have it work mainly with out much problems when it is not then .You need to make sure it gose off like it should.

[rancher1913]

several members here reload primers. there is a very active mewe group that deals only with reloading primers. hardest thing is getting some of the chemicals but some of the firework supply places are realizing the legitimacy of needing certain chemicals for primers and are starting to supply the market.

[dverna]

Would you have a feel for how long it took you to process 1000 primers? Looking at the information I could find, it looked like maybe 50/hr. I would need to be desperate. $100/k beats 20 hours of my time.

I am in good shape on primers, and will buy more when things get back to normal, but I have considered getting the chemicals needed as a "safety net".

[rancher1913]

several of the guys have almost automated the process, they are claiming several hundred an hour, given that you can not find primers, even a hundred an hour beats nothing.

[Dieselhorses]

Care to share your process?

Yes, but the best way to get all info and ask questions (they WANT you to ask if you don't know something!) is by going to www.mewe.com, sign up and look for "Primer Reloading" group. Marshall Thompson and Mark Wilson are the 2 pro's (Marshall is the chemist) and there is tons of info there.

I figured a lot of fellows on here did this. Despite the 40k+ commercial primers I've hoarded it still feels good to have something to fall back on. I mainly am just using these to plink with for now. There are several other recipes besides the "EPH-20/25" I'm using that are equal to/surpass factory. One involves the synthesis of picric acid.

Other uses are innovating ways to "re-size" both large and small cups and even toying with the idea of producing "new" cups/anvils. It can be a tedious process but it is fun! My objective is to match the velocities of commercial primers. And yes, with proper machining and creativity one can make several hundred in an hour! I can make 100 in an hour but I'm just getting started.

290465

[RyanJames170]

Are these primers you guys are making corrosive? I have wondered about using that prime all stuff they sell on 22 reloader but I don’t know if it’s corrosive.

[rancher1913]

depends on the formula you use but most stay away from the corrosive formulas.

[blackthorn]

How many times can you reload a single primer? Thinking metal fatigue here (possible rupture).

[RyanJames170]

Anyone know if the prime all compound sold by 22 reloader is corrosive or not?

[MUSTANG]

Anyone know if the prime all compound sold by 22 reloader is corrosive or not?


Yes it is corrosive. Clean your rifle/pistol after use and all is well.

[rancher1913]

How many times can you reload a single primer? Thinking metal fatigue here (possible rupture).

they are working on dies to make new cups, same idea as gas checks. the anvils are still a problem.

[dverna]

Thanks DH. Signed up

[Hanzy4200]

I won't be interested until it can be somewhat automated. Reloading primers by singles, by hand, is insanity. I get the cool factory, and the "just because" idea, but speaking of it as a actual valued skill is silly to me. Unless you are locked in a cell with nothing but time on your hands, it just doesn't make sense to me. In the time it takes you to reload $4 worth of primers you could pick up $15 worth of cans at the park, or make $80-$100 working a few hours of overtime.

[Dieselhorses]

Thanks DH. Signed up

:Bright idea:

[rancher1913]

I won't be interested until it can be somewhat automated. Reloading primers by singles, by hand, is insanity. I get the cool factory, and the "just because" idea, but speaking of it as a actual valued skill is silly to me. Unless you are locked in a cell with nothing but time on your hands, it just doesn't make sense to me. In the time it takes you to reload $4 worth of primers you could pick up $15 worth of cans at the park, or make $80-$100 working a few hours of overtime.

true, but try buying needed primers to reload to defend your family when none are around. knowledge is a good thing and I like getting the learning curve out of the way before it needs to be relied upon.

[Jack Stanley]

Well said Rancher .

Jack

[scattershot]

true, but try buying needed primers to reload to defend your family when none are around. knowledge is a good thing and I like getting the learning curve out of the way before it needs to be relied upon.

Agreed.Never too much info, especially in these crazy times, and those yet to come.

[oldsalt444]

How many times can you reload a single primer? Thinking metal fatigue here (possible rupture).

Not sure how many times, but yes, that little brass cup gets worked a lot. Firing pin hit has to be flattened out. My practice is to anneal the cups after I flatten them out. Just pass a propane torch over it until it just starts to turn red. That keeps the brass soft.

[rancher1913]

some guys are reporting up to 10 times but most do the one and done routine.