Primer Explosion !?!?!

**DucatiRon** · March 30th, 2013, 11:43 AM

So I was priming 9mm casings with my RCBS hand priming tool and I had a primer go off. First time this has ever happened to me. I was about 40 or so deep into a box off 100 of Win SP. I was checking all primer pockets so I know it wasn't debris. I also knocked the primer out to dbl check and the pocket was clear. I am not hurt besides my ears ringing a bit and the rest if the primers in the tray did not go off.

Anyone else ever experience this ?

As a reminder never aim your hand primer at your face and always wear safety glasses.

**M&P Chris** · March 30th, 2013, 11:47 AM

I have the same tool and probably used it to prime around 10,000 cases and never had that happen. I always use Cci primers.

Did you happen to have the rounded end of the priming rod up instead of the flat?

**DucatiRon** · March 30th, 2013, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by M&P Chris

I have the same tool and probably used it to prime around 10,000 cases and never had that happen. I always use Cci primers.

Did you happen to have the rounded end of the priming rod up instead of the flat?

Same here have loaded tens of thousands with it. Have had mine 6 or 7 years now. And nope the rod wasn't flipped. I was just over half a box deep when it happened. I'm assuming defective primer. Like the one round of ammo that went off in Dicks or where ever it was when it was dropped.

**ettorment1916** · March 30th, 2013, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by DucatiRon

rest of the primers in the tray did not go off.

Thank goodness that didn't happen. I'm glad to hear you weren't injured.

It's never happened to me, but it's always in the back of my mind.

NOTE: It's just my way of doing it, but I actually only place 10 primers at a time into my hand priming tool. (Probably a bit over precautious)

**spentshells2** · March 30th, 2013, 12:25 PM

I always think about that happening when reloading. glad your OK. bet it scared the crap out of ya.

**Remington788** · March 30th, 2013, 12:27 PM

It has not happened to me, though I assume that someday it will.
I don't go near my machine without safety goggles. When I first started out, I even wore my ear muffs.

**DucatiRon** · March 30th, 2013, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Remington788

It has not happened to me, though I assume that someday it will.
I don't go near my machine without safety goggles. When I first started out, I even wore my ear muffs.

Yep. Always had it in the back of my mind that it might. And trust me after having a primer pop about 2 feet from my ears I'm thinking of at least some plugs next time.

**cmcgowan** · March 30th, 2013, 01:23 PM

I've been using a lee priming tool for somewhere around 30 years and never had that happen, no matter what brand of primers I've used.
Is it surplus brass?

**762xIan** · March 30th, 2013, 03:54 PM

I have never had a primer go off by hand or on press priming myself. I have even smushed a few primers in sideways.

I have even de-primed hundred of live primers with no incident.

I must be lucky I guess.

Glad you are ok....it does happen.

**cephas** · March 30th, 2013, 04:16 PM

Also have used the Lee for awhile with no problems. Glad your OK, and thanks for posting. It's ez to get complacent and a reality check does me good every once in awhile. As a side note I see a smattering of posts on the net concerning Win quality control of late.