I have a question about proper disposal of damaged cartridges from reloading.
I'm fairly new to reloading and need some advise. During the process of learning to reload I have a coffee can full of dinged, bent, squib, etc.. etc... cartridges that I need to dispose of. I could use a kinetic bullet puller and take them apart one at a time, but then I'm left with a case with a live prime still in it. I don't want to try to de-prime live primers. Is there anything that will render these cartridges inert?
Is there a way to dispose of loaded cartridges without taking them apart one at at time?
Thanks so much for any input!
-Dlow

Dlow,

You probably are better off just getting the bullets out with your kinetic puller. If you don't want to waste the primer, and if your casing is ok, just re-flare the case neck (if a pistol case) and recharge with the correct amount of powder, and re-seat a new bullet. If you don't want to do this, you can consider soaking your case to render the primer in-operable, or what I would do, is just pop it in your gun. Hope this helps!

vanbuzen9

I have a question about proper disposal of damaged cartridges from reloading.
I'm fairly new to reloading and need some advise. During the process of learning to reload I have a coffee can full of dinged, bent, squib, etc.. etc... cartridges that I need to dispose of. I could use a kinetic bullet puller and take them apart one at a time, but then I'm left with a case with a live prime still in it. I don't want to try to de-prime live primers. Is there anything that will render these cartridges inert?
Is there a way to dispose of loaded cartridges without taking them apart one at at time?
Thanks so much for any input!
-Dlow

Welcome to the forum. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

As for your damaged bullets. If the cases are unusable, pull the bullets, dump the powder and pour in a few drops of any oil and dispose of them.

If the cases are still usable, but need resized do as above, then simply deprime and start over.

Bullets should be ok unless the tips are damaged.

To tell the trouth I've deprimed cases with live primers and never had a problem, though I don't recommend doing it.

I hope you enjoy this forum, I know I have. I've been reloading and shooting for around 45 years and it's a great hobby and great fun. We have hundreds of years of combined know how here on the forum and new folks adding to that every day. Have fun.

Your local police agency usually has a means of disposing of live ammo.

As suggested, you can pull the bullets, salvage the powder and squirt some penetrating oil into the empty case if you don't want to deprime.

As with faucettb, I've deprimed hundreds of cases with no ill effects. Just don't get heavy handed with the ram handle and wear some eye protection.

Welcome to the board - hope you'll join the discussions on the many forums here.

Thanks so much guys for your input.
I sure appreciate it.
-dlow

I have a question about proper disposal of damaged cartridges from reloading.
I'm fairly new to reloading and need some advise. During the process of learning to reload I have a coffee can full of dinged, bent, squib, etc.. etc... cartridges that I need to dispose of. I could use a kinetic bullet puller and take them apart one at a time, but then I'm left with a case with a live prime still in it. I don't want to try to de-prime live primers. Is there anything that will render these cartridges inert?
Is there a way to dispose of loaded cartridges without taking them apart one at at time?
Thanks so much for any input!
-Dlow

I agree with the great advice these folks have given. The local gun shops around here will take old or damaged ammo and dispose of it at no cost.

Pulling bullets with a kinetic tool and depriming cases on a press are safe practices if done carefully as I have numerous times.

All the best...
Gil