Old ammo? Question?

[mackdaddy]

I have a bunch of old ammo, 25 to 30 years old. I want to salvage the brass. I can pull the bullets and toss the powder. Question is can I de-cap live primers in the press without fear of ignition?

Thanks

[JimmyHoffa]

I think it depends on how thick the decapping pin is.  They've gone off on me if the primer is in tight.  Usually better to just shoot them first...no powder so it's not loud and doesn't work the brass.

[mackdaddy]

Good idea, thanks.

[Fisherdave10]

First, the safest way to decap old brass is to detonate the primer inside of a firearm, then decap the casing.

I decap live primers sometimes, but no it isn't the "right" or "safe" thing to do.  However, as long as there is no bullet or powder, if the primer goes off it shouldn't do anything bad.  Use good judgement of course.  Wear safety glasses as a primer releases a hot flame and small pieces of debris when it is detonated.  Move slowly when pressing it out.  Stop if there is any resistance.  They are pretty loud when they go off so be careful who's around so you don't freak anyone out.

Why are you pulling apart this ammo?  When properly stored, modern-ish ammo has a very long shelf life.  People shoot surplus ammo from WWII all the time and it still works great.  I have personally shot surplus 30-06 from the 60's and it fired like the day it was made.  20-30 year old ammo really isn't very old.  If it is in reasonable condition, I would shoot it.

[brokenvet]

If the ammo was stored in a cool dry place, they should be good to shoot. 

[wapiti22]

If they look OK, they are OK to shoot. If all corroded and greenish looking on the brass, I'd probably pull the bullets, dump the powder on my lawn and pop the caps in my rifle before reloading.

[h20hunter]

Ive decapped primers that were live....go slow, no sudden bangs, soak 'em in oil if you want...just take it easy and press them out.

[Jamieb]

I've punched out a lot of live primers in the sizeing die and never had one go off. Go slow, wear safety glasses, and ear plugs wouldnt be a bad idea. If one does go off it will be loader then you'd expect but other then the noise and a little bit of debis, it wont hurt anything.

[Huntbear]

If you want to decap them without shooting them first... just spray WD 40 until the bottom of the case is covered... let em sit for 2 - 3 days..  they are dead and you can deprime without issues..  I have done it a lot I even tried it out first by spraying, letting sit, then trying to shoot the "blank" in a gun...  dead as a doornail.  So, now, if I crush a case for some reason or it will not chamber, I pull the bullet, pour out the powder, spray WD 40 down the case, let sit and then de prime..

[carpsniperg2]

I've punched out a lot of live primers in the sizeing die and never had one go off. Go slow, wear safety glasses, and ear plugs wouldnt be a bad idea. If one does go off it will be loader then you'd expect but other then the noise and a little bit of debis, it wont hurt anything.

x2