shooting primers

[Oregon Jim]

I have a couple of boxes of old reloads that I don't want to shoot. Instead I want to unload the cases and start all over with a different load. This includes replacing the primers.

I want to rid myself of the old primers, and the quickest method to do that would be to load the primed cases into my rifle and shoot them, but I have questions.

I am worried that firing primers alone might in some was damage my chamber or bore. Does anyone have any factual information about this? If no facts are available, does anyone have any experience doing this? Opinions are welcome too.

Next, if it is safe to shoot these primed cases, is there any possible way I can turn this into a useful step in my reloading process? This brass is once-fired and only neck-sized, so fire-forming it to my chamber dimensions is not necessary.

I suspect there are good reasons NOT to shoot these primers, but I truly don't know, so I'd love to hear what you all think.
 

[zonie]

My first question would be if you know what kind of primers these are ?  If there is a bunch of them I would de-prime carefully and mark them in a small brown paper bag,  and  save them for later in another rifle, or for plinking.   Use them in a 30-30 or something if applicable,  primers are expensive anymore.   If you had to sure you can discharge them in a rifle, but primer residue kind of gets in weird places so cleaning is a must.   I'd keep them myself as extra's 

[ccc23454]

i would just deprime them, primers are cheapest thing we use but among easist to fail so i just use new. if  for some reason you want to shot them off i would just clean it REALLY good after...

C

[badsection]

What part of the old load don't you like? If it`s the powder or bullet, blow then off on a target. If it`s the primer, just blow them off OUTSIDE. There is more lead exposure on the primers! Clean the devil out of the rifle if you decide to blow off the primers alone! 

[Oregon Jim]

I have some .340 cartridges loaded with 180 grain bullets and if I remember correct, Winchester primers. I can shoot the primers now without creating much disturbance (I think), but have nowhere to shoot live ammunition at the moment.

I want to experiment with some new loads using the 300 grain Nosler Accubond bullets and this brass.

[BB340]

Jim, if you just want to change the loads why not just pull the 180grain projectiles out, empty the powder into a container, then using a Neck Sizing die, remove the primer popping pin and then run the cases thru the die lubricated with powdered graphite.
The necks will be back to proper alignment and size, primers wont be damaged and then just reload with the correct powder charge for those 300grain Accubonds.

I have used this method several times for different cartridges. I just done it a few weeks ago for my .460 bee as I didn't like the load that came with the rifle..

Cheers,
Brett

[BB340]

Woops sorry Jim, I didn't notice you said you wanted to change the primers as well.

In that case just pull the projectiles, empty powder and then run cases thru a neck sizing die. Those old primers will just pop straight out. Don't see the reason for having to shoot them out?

[Oregon Jim]

I was afraid that pressing the unfired primers out with a press might cause them to fire, and will go ahead and just shoot the empty cases to be safe. I don't mind doing the extra scrubbing afterward, and I'd rather be safe than take any unnecessary chances.

I am sure this is not necessary, and that I could use the primers, but here is the reason I am going through all this; my friends are out-shooting me, and I don't like it a bit. My ego is too fragile for that, so I am getting deadly serious with my reloading. I'll have no more thoughts about maximum velocity or anything else but accuracy. I taught these guys how to shoot, and now they are making me look like an amateur. It's time to teach these kids a lesson, and that means I have some catching up to do.

[224KING]

You know as we get older our eyes get bad and we just cant seem to get still like we used to.It's hell to get old and smart when you're competing with young eyes and able bodies.

[BB340]

I understand you being cautious about pushing out live primers with a die, I have done it to a hell of a lot of rounds in the past 20 years ive been reloading and have never had a problem, not one has gone off.
I have never tested the primers after ive popped them out to see if they still go off though.

[Oregon Jim]

For almost two years I have done very little shooting, and frankly, I have lost my edge. I am simply not in the groove. I am flinching, shaking, and unsteady as I am shooting. My friends have been shooting and practicing regularly during that time.

On top of that I have had gun issues (product recall), problems with my scopes, and an assortment of woes that have reduced my accuracy in one way or another. It got so bad that I just had to walk away for a while. My attitude was getting bad.

Recently I have decided that it is time to get back in the saddle so to speak, so I am reworking loads and working on my technique. Hopefully my application to the gun club will be accepted and I'll be shooting again very soon. I believe some serious range time is just what the doctor ordered to cure my sickness.

[oldchet]

Hello Jim, I too hate poor accuracy. I had some 270 loads that I wanted to change everything on including primers. I did shoot the primers through my rifle but man I had never seen a rifle so filthy and in the weirdest places. That was the first time I completely disassembled my bolt mechanism and boy was I glad I did. I didn't mind the extra effort for cleaning as I learned more about the rifle. I switched to match primers instead of Federal large rifle. Made enough of a difference to make it worth while. While "depriming" in my garage I practiced my shooting technique. My wife watched the forest few bangs and asked why I was jumping. I had just been diagnosed with bursitis and was afraid of any recoil. So I settled down for the rest. When I got to the range with the new loads I don't know which helped more, the loads or my practicing my technique.

[WA Mtnhunter]

I have deprimed many cases by using a Lee universal depriving die and hand press. Never had one pop but I always wear safety glasses when priming or depriming cases anyway.