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Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:49 am
by marksiwel
I know a couple of people who can make gun powder, do you think it would be doable to mass produce Primers?

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:18 am
by chabouk
What technology do you need that wasn't available in 1830 (roughly the time the percussion cap was introduced)?

To make clean-burning, sure-fire, non-corrosive primers? Okay, that's a little more involved. But primers themselves are very old-school technology.

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:22 am
by marksiwel
chabouk wrote:What technology do you need that wasn't available in 1830 (roughly the time the percussion cap was introduced)?

To make clean-burning, sure-fire, non-corrosive primers? Okay, that's a little more involved. But primers themselves are very old-school technology.
What are they made of, how would you make them?

I, one day,would like to undertake a project where I make a Rifle, Ammo (shells and all) from Hand. Just to see if I could do it.

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:17 am
by OldCannon
Somehow, the thought of making mercury fulminate in the home sounds....bad. (or any other modern primer goo).

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:37 pm
by chabouk
Berdan primers would be easier to make at home than Boxer. A Berdan primer is one piece, just a percussion cap that fits in the primer pocket, sitting over an anvil that is part of the brass.

There are recipes for DIY primer compound scattered about the interwebz. You're not the only one who has tried to DIY. ;-)

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:56 pm
by marksiwel
AndyC wrote: I haven't tried this myself.
a most excellent post., thanks!

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:34 pm
by mactex
There was a group on the High Point forum that was using the tips of matches to basically reload their used primer cases. Reading through the notes on the forum scared the bejezuz out of me.

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:35 am
by jhutto
i can't see the images :(

Re: Could you in theory make your own primers?

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:40 pm
by NcongruNt
jhutto wrote:i can't see the images :(
They're actually YouTube videos. Here are the direct links:

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