Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

This section is for reloading and ammunition only, all loads found in here are used strictly at your own risk, if in doubt ask again.
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.

Moderator: dromia

Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.

Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Scrumbag
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:45 pm
Home club or Range: BSRC & HPRPC
Contact:

Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#1 Post by Scrumbag »

Hi folks,

Had a small scare the other day whilst reloading that might be a helpful reminder to people to keep safe and follow your procedures not being sloppy. Primer popped when being seated and flashed over into try causing other primers to detonate.

This happened using a Hornady Hand Primer

My set-up post incident

Image

Close-up of hand primer – not sure where rest of pieces are.

Image

Close-up of “flashed” primers (Note empty but undented cups)

Image

And this is the resulting cuts to hand – fortunately they seem superficial. Blast also blew my glasses off my face and they landed ~6 feet away.

Image

Fortunately I was wearing latex gloves so some protection.

Be careful folks and wear your eye protection.

(Just in case people are interested, didn’t notice anything different from usual. Cases were PPU factory on ~4th firing. Primers were Federal Large Pistol. Cases had been sonic cleaned and primer pockets checked prior to priming and I’d primed ~50 that session. This process has served me fine for ~3 years of loading)

Best wishes,

Scrummy
User avatar
dromia
Site Admin
Posts: 19964
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:57 am
Home club or Range: The Highlands of Scotland. Cycling Proficiency 1964. Felton & District rifle club. Teesdale Pistol and Rifle club.
Location: Sutherland and Co Durham
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#2 Post by dromia »

Along with hand, ear, face, eye protection I also wear bicycle clips when priming.

I have had the odd one go off when seating in cases with improperly removed military crimps but fortunately never had multiple primers let go.

Lot to be said for a single primer tool. My preference is now to prime on the press having hand primed for years.

Please to hear you are OK though.
Image

Come on Bambi get some

Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad

Fecking stones

Real farmers don't need subsidies

Cow's farts matter!

For fine firearms and requisites visit

http://www.pukkabundhooks.com/
User avatar
Ovenpaa
Site Supporter Since 2015
Posts: 24680
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:27 pm
Location: Årbjerg, Morsø DK
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#3 Post by Ovenpaa »

Ouch, good to hear you are OK. I wear safety glasses for everything as they are my bi-focals as well and I have had a few things bounce off them. Grinding yesterday was a good example.
/d

Du lytter aldrig til de ord jeg siger. Du ser mig kun for det tøj jeg har paa ...

Shed Journal
monkeyhanger
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 5:11 pm
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#4 Post by monkeyhanger »

the hornady hand primer is a good tool and well made. occasionally , it can let 2 primers into the chute so you have to be careful and keep a close eye on procedures. Federal primers are known to be soft and ppu brass is known to be hard, maybe the 2 primer situation happened and you crushed one primer against the next. Glad you are ok. Are you going to get the tool repaired?
Scrumbag
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:45 pm
Home club or Range: BSRC & HPRPC
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#5 Post by Scrumbag »

Probably get an RCBS one with a gate that closes off the tray
User avatar
Dark Skies
Posts: 2824
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:02 am
Home club or Range: NRA
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#6 Post by Dark Skies »

That WAS unfortunate. I've never had one go off in 30 + years.
I was once worried that I was pushing my luck popping out live primers on the Lee single stage press - removing incorrectly inserted small pistol primers from .223 cases. I had a few hundred to remove from pulled cases. It went without incident.
"I don't like my job and I don't think I'm gonna go anymore."
User avatar
Alpha1
Site Supporter Since 2020
Posts: 8553
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:27 pm
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#7 Post by Alpha1 »

Ouch I bet that hurt glad you are OK. Certainly made me re think my priming set up.
Scrumbag
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:45 pm
Home club or Range: BSRC & HPRPC
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#8 Post by Scrumbag »

As you say folks, a slightly sobering lesson.

Best wishes,

Scrummy
User avatar
flamoudi
Posts: 107
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 4:18 pm
Home club or Range: CVPC Ashgill Scotland
Location: Falkirk Scotland
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#9 Post by flamoudi »

Happened to me too with the Lee hand primer many years ago. Federal primers are softer but the cause was most likely two going into the recessed seating area.

Lesson learned after almighty bang and ringing ears! One primer went up my nose!

Now I'm much more cautious and wear safety specs. I don't fill the tray up with many and feel my way with each case.
FredB
Site Supporter Since 2019
Posts: 969
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:33 pm
Home club or Range: stourport
Location: Wolverhampton
Contact:

Re: Flash-Over Incident Using Hornady Hand Primer

#10 Post by FredB »

Never had it happen with Boxer primers, but, in the 1970s, we used a lot of berdan 69s and it was a fairly ragular event to have one go off.
usually happened when you were watching tally and priming at the same time!
Fred
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests