Okay, so maybe I'm cheap...

[Ysabel Kid]

It must be some of that Yankee blood, because if something can be saved and used, I have a hard time throwing it away.

No, this is not "OT". I'm getting there...

I was reloading a couple weeks ago, and ran out of .38 Special brass. Yep, reloading for the lever gun - some more for my son and I to shoot in the Marlin 1894C he likes. Went to one of the local shops and scored a huge bag of used brass. The owner thought there was about 500 pieces, and I thought there were a bit more. I was right - 788 pieces! $25 - brass is going up in price like everything else, but we were both happy so it was a good transaction.

I got home and started sorting them, then cleaning them. I discovered about 50 that had been cleaned, resized and primed. I have no idea when or what primer was used.

So, after that long-winded build-up, what would you do? Would you use these "unknowns"?

My thoughts: I'm going to test fire a couple without powder to ensure the primers work, and if they do, put some mild loads in them and mark them accordingly. I know, I know - it's only 50 primers. Still, if they work and are safe, I just can't bring myself to toss them!

[Pete44ru]

You can always melt some beeswax in a shallow pan to a 1/2" depth, let it set up - then press each primed empty into the cake to make some nice basement practice loads for that .38/.357 revolver, you've now saved enough on (in the cases deal) to buy !

[Old Ironsights]

IMO, unless you are planning to use max loads in an old wheelie, I don't think you can do any damage with an unknown primer.

[O.S.O.K.]

The biggest problem I can think of is squib loads that push a bullet into the bore.

Personally, I'd just bust em all and start over. Or do the wax thing for fun.

[AmBraCol]

THe problem with the wax bullet thing is two fold.

One - with a standard sized primer hole you're likely to have the primer back out of the primer pocket.

Two - with a primer in place the wax will compress air into the case and the compressed air will cause the wax to be pushed back out.

The proper procedure for doing wax bullet loads is to first enlarge the flash hole. THEN you "load" the wax bullets by pushing the case into the cake of wax. and finally you seat the primers just prior to using the loads. This keeps the oils from the wax from migrating and killing the primer.

Anyway, to answer your question, I'd probably load them with a mild to midrange load and segregate them for special treatment - no fast shooting and paying attention that each load goes "BANG" and not "pop". I'd also probably relegate them to a sixgun and not a rifle as any squib load is less likely to stick in the sixgun's shorter barrel.

NOTE: I'm not endorsing the practice above, just stating what a certified tightwad might do.

[Marlin .35]

Although I would probably use them with medium loads, if it worried me I would just resize them, pop out the present primer and start anew. No worries. Cheap is good, peace of mind is better!! Art

[meanc]

Unless you're going for target like accuracy or self defense, a medium load of any powder for 357mag isn't going to be a problem pressure wise for the Marlin 1894c at all.

If you are worried about it, just use them for plinking loads. And just like you would for any other ammo, factory or reloaded, make sure it goes BANG and not POP before firing the next round.

I firmly believe that any primer that detonates with enough force to lodge a bullet in the bore, will surely detonate the powder in the case, so I wouldn't worry about squib loads.

[J Miller]

It must be some of that Yankee blood, because if something can be saved and used, I have a hard time throwing it away.

No, this is not "OT". I'm getting there...

I was reloading a couple weeks ago, and ran out of .38 Special brass. Yep, reloading for the lever gun - some more for my son and I to shoot in the Marlin 1894C he likes. Went to one of the local shops and scored a huge bag of used brass. The owner thought there was about 500 pieces, and I thought there were a bit more. I was right - 788 pieces! $25 - brass is going up in price like everything else, but we were both happy so it was a good transaction.

I got home and started sorting them, then cleaning them. I discovered about 50 that had been cleaned, resized and primed. I have no idea when or what primer was used.

So, after that long-winded build-up, what would you do? Would you use these "unknowns"?

My thoughts: I'm going to test fire a couple without powder to ensure the primers work, and if they do, put some mild loads in them and mark them accordingly. I know, I know - it's only 50 primers. Still, if they work and are safe, I just can't bring myself to toss them!

I've done exactly that. Bought used and found resized and primed in the mix. I didn't give it a second thought. I made sure the flash holes were clear and the cases had no splits and loaded them right up.


I don't waste anything either.

Joe

[Griff]

It's called, "frugal". Cheap sounds so much like... well... cheap!

[Blaine]

Shoot them Thangs......

[AJMD429]

NOTE: I'm not endorsing the practice above, just stating what a certified tightwad might do.

I think my certificate is up to date, but my wife seems to act as if hers has expired, is there a place to renew them...?

[rjohns94]

I would put wax bullets in them and pop them off in the basement. In fact, I am doing that this evening for .38's for my SAA - size, prime and wax bullet.

[Hobie]

I pop 'em and start over. Cheap is cheap. That the primers might have been compromised is my biggest concern. A squib can be a pain to deal with.

[Don McDowell]

Put me in the load and shootem column.
Worst could happen is a squib or 12, or maybe having to stress test the bullet puller to pull 50 loads with dud primers.
Better scenario, you fired 50 rounds you didn't have to pay for the primers.

[runfiverun]

dump em pulling 40 more cause they are bad isn't frugal
it is a pain.

[horsesoldier03]

Either way you choose. If you chose to use them, make sure you test a few of them. I would hate to load them completely and then have to go back and pull bullet and powder and redo them completely because they wouldnt fire. I honestly dont think its going to effect the power to a dangerous level. You just wont have optimum accuracy!

[Ysabel Kid]

Thanks guys. I have some plastic .38 projectiles used for indoors target practice, as well as a box of pre-made wax ones. I think I'll try the latter in a revolver. These will probably be fine, but I don't want to have to deal with a stuck bullet due to a squib. If I use them in a practice load indoors, they are still being used - satisfies my "frugal" (certified tightwad) instinct nicely!

[rjohns94]

i have a box of the plastic ones too. I used them tonight instead. haven't shot them yet though