old primers already seated

[JakeC]

There are some threads on this, sort of, and I probably know the answer but here goes:

Let's say an impatient idiot, a hypothetical idiot, got ahead of himself last october and primed about 50 cases and only loaded 20 of them. Then the idiot left the primed cases in the tray on his bench in a cool, pretty dry basement in the desert and forgot about them until now. What's the best course of action? They are federal 210match if that makes a difference. I faintly remember hearing that some primers are sealed but that could be fantasy thinking. Should the fool dispose of them down his barrel? Load and fire them? soak them with water and deprime them? How long of a soak is needed to make them safe? I'm thankfully not primer poor yet, is there any reason to even consider using them? Thanks in advance.

 

[dustbag]

I've been known to do that. Haven't had any problems. Maybe lucky? Maybe doesn't matter? Maybe helps? Probably doesn't? Good luck

 

[nksmfamjp]

I would load and shoot if the brass is sized right for you to use. Oh yea, I'd blow the dust out!

There really are no good ways to make them inert. They seem pretty reliable. Otherwise call Federal get advice from them. They are friendly on the phone.

 

[tonyf3]

I primed and left them out for a few months last July through October. So here in Sacramento its 105deg F down to 50/60 deg.
Blew them out, loaded and there was no noticable impact to velocity or accuracy when firing them.

 

[JakeC]

I primed and left them out for a few months last July through October. So here in Sacramento its 105deg F down to 50/60 deg.
Blew them out, loaded and there was no noticable impact to velocity or accuracy when firing them.

blew them out as in blew air in them, right? not as in blew them out the barrel.

That's pretty darned good. You've got the same temps and definitely more humidity than we do. Thanks.

 

[tonyf3]

blew them out as in blew air in them, right? not as in blew them out the barrel.

That's pretty darned good. You've got the same temps and definitely more humidity than we do. Thanks.

oops..
I gave each case a shot of air into the case mouths and then loaded up with powder and bullets.

 

[JakeC]

oops..
I gave each case a shot of air into the case mouths and then loaded up with powder and bullets.

No I was just halfway jerking your chain. I got it as I was writing it. Thanks for the advice. My real fear was a stuck bullet but it sounds like they fire. And if they don't fire: they don't fire.

 

[birddog 68]

No I was just halfway jerking your chain. I got it as I was writing it. Thanks for the advice. My real fear was a stuck bullet but it sounds like they fire. And if they don't fire: they don't fire.

They'll fire, no problem. Trust me I'm an idiot that's done this also.

 

[105Coues]

Companies have been selling primed brass forever and they can sit on shelves for years in who knows what humidity. imo That makes the only variable dust. I would use them. And have many times. Try a few and then make the call.

 

[cornshank]

I have recently used primers that were manufactured in the Hippie days and they worked fine.

 

[cohunt]

Primers are just packaged in thin cardboard boxes and never sealed from the factory--- I have primers from 35 years ago and they work fine.
In.a cardboard box or in a piece of brass won't matter unless you abuse or contaminated them

 

[Gater]

They aren't in air tight packaging when you buy them to begin with. I prime a couple hundred at a time and leave they in an old Tupperware bowl with the lid on.

 

[fmuguira]

They ll be fine. Load 3-4 , shoot them then when you re comfortable that alls well finish loading the rest.

As 105Coues pointed out it was common to buy primed brass ready to load in the past.

 

[Jeffrey Van Zandt]

There are some threads on this, sort of, and I probably know the answer but here goes:

Let's say an impatient idiot, a hypothetical idiot, got ahead of himself last october and primed about 50 cases and only loaded 20 of them. Then the idiot left the primed cases in the tray on his bench in a cool, pretty dry basement in the desert and forgot about them until now. What's the best course of action? They are federal 210match if that makes a difference. I faintly remember hearing that some primers are sealed but that could be fantasy thinking. Should the fool dispose of them down his barrel? Load and fire them? soak them with water and deprime them? How long of a soak is needed to make them safe? I'm thankfully not primer poor yet, is there any reason to even consider using them? Thanks in advance.

I use a sinclair arbor hand press and wilson size and just do them never had one go bang yet