[HSLDS]

So, I reload and for years I have dumped my defective shells into a bin for future recovery. It was raining yesterday so I turned on the TV and went at it.

I now have recovered close to 1,000 primers, around 6 ~ 8 pounds of shot and I reserved ~ 2 pounds of Promo.

I am cool on using the primers and the shot - the powder (all from the same lot number), well I have that stored in a Promo container with a new label saying "RECOVERED" on it - that I'll save for when Biden does something more dumb than he has so far...

Any ideas on how better to open shells?? I have a couple of Gizmos that uses a razor blade to slice through the shell about half-way down, but they both have holes in them and some shells are so messed-up they won't fit into these devices.

I have another 500 or so waiting for 'the treatment...'

 

[David McMillen]

I have bot a shell dismantler from Gary Bully, which has worked well for me.

 

[OldGoat]

Get a PVC tubing cutter from the hardware store ~ $15.

 

[HSLDS]

I have bot a shell dismantler from Gary Bully, which has worked well for me.

I have an original one of these - but some of the shells just don't fit...

 

[HSLDS]

Get a PVC tubing cutter from the hardware store ~ $15.

NICE - I have a few of these already - certainly will give them a try.

 

[CCTiger]

What is the process for recovering the primer?

 

[Chichay]

+1 on the shell dismantler from Gary Bully.

 

[Knowballs]

PVC pipe cutter. I have used this tool for many years & have not been disappointed with its performance. Bought it at Harbor Freight years ago & has stay very sharp. Good luck with your choice.

 

[rapid86]

What is the process for recovering the primer?

I just deprime the hull as normal, but very slowly.

 

[sdive2]

Unloader for the normal ones, PVC cutter for the real problem ones, an old single stage loader gets the primers just fine. Safety Glasses are a must!

 

[CCTiger]

I have done that on metallic, REALLY carefully, but not on shotshells before.

 

[tomk2]

You have thousands of "defective " shells?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[2500 HD]

Same concept just take your time

 

[Mr. D]

How many shells must one load to have thousands of "defective " shells?

 

[HSLDS]

You have thousands of "defective " shells?

How many shells must one load to have thousands of "defective " shells?

Well, I went through ten 8 pound containers of Promo to get there (on number eleven right now)... I load 16.5 grains of Promo under 7/8 Oz of shot.

I reload on a P/W loader and the center shaft was worn and indexing became a real issue (even snapped the Grivory ring [sp?]) - Whiz White replaced the shaft for me a few years ago and the rate of defects went spiraling downward.

As I said, these shells have just been sitting in a bin, but with everyone screaming about primers I figured now was a good time to go after them. I figure I should end up with 1,000 plus when all is said and done - basically for free.

Oh - I run the cut down shells through a single stage press to knock out the primers - slowly and steady does it (safety first!).

 

[tomk2]

Well, I once had a piece of shot drop into the primer seat hole on my MEC. I kept hearing this weird cracking sound when I pulled the handle. It took a number of pulls before I figured out that a piece of shot under the primmer was setting off the primer. So detonating a primer isn't that big of an event if you should. I had no idea de-prime didn't damage the primers until this thread.

 

[Chichay]

How many shells must one load to have thousands of "defective " shells?

It happens. My own experience was when I reloaded a number of 9mms without first testing if my Sig228 would cycle with them. It didn't. So I was left with 2 choices: either dismantle those loads, or shoot them as a single shot in my Sig. I chose the former. Talk about decapping live primers. Didn't have to do it. Just took the decapping pin out of the sizer die and proceeded with reloading a stouter load enough to cycle the Sig's action. It was a lesson for me. Never again reloaded a batch of shells/cartridges without first testing their suitability.

 

[Rick Barker]

It happens. My own experience was when I reloaded a number of 9mms without first testing if my Sig228 would cycle with them. It didn't. So I was left with 2 choices: either dismantle those loads, or shoot them as a single shot in my Sig. I chose the former. Talk about decapping live primers. Didn't have to do it. Just took the decapping pin out of the sizer die and proceeded with reloading a stouter load enough to cycle the Sig's action. It was lesson for me. Never again reloaded a batch of shells/cartridges without first testing their suitability.

Best investment I made was a size gauge. Even with resizing, I had same problem you found, but with “go-no go“ type gauge, problem found at loading bench, before shell was boxed.

 

[HSLDS]

I picked up a set of 'No-Go' gauges for competitive pistol rounds at a yard sale - $5.

Does 9mm, 45, 38, 357 - not sure if it does others, I'll need to go check...

Also got an NRA paper target gauge for $2 at the same sale, I think it does all rifle rounds from 22 to 338 (maybe 45).

 

[Chichay]

I have Go-NoGo gauges for every caliber I reload. What they do not tell is whether your reload has enough "oomph" to cycle your semi-auto firearms.