Hard to find primers (self-inflicted)

[JackRR]

I was grabbing a tray (100 primers) off a rather high shelf in my closet and the inside tray slid out of the sleeve and onto the floor. The closet floor is carpet and made it hard to find the primers. I was ready to go to sleep and just moving them to rearrange to make room for some new powder I just bought. There is always setbacks in life but 100 little bouncing small pistol primers on a somewhat thick carpet kinda

After 30 minutes I found 95, kinda of neat how they fall back into the tray slots so I knew how many were left. Got my flashlight out and found 3 more. Yes 98. I guess I wont be vacuming the closet anytime soon until I find the other 2. This will be one of those "learning experiences". Yes both fingers will be on opposite ends of the sleeve next time I grab one off the shelf.

Jack

Edit:corrected spelling the word inflicted.

[MoJo]

WHOOPS!

[longtooth]

Yep. YOu have now joined the ranks of the true reloaders.
Some reload pistol ammo. Others reload rifle ammo. Still others reload both.
True reloaders reload the primer trays w/ spilt previously spilt primers. The carpet is just a an added recreational bonus.
Been there & done that.
LT & Others too.

[Oldgringo]

Put a small piece of cellophane (scotch) tape on each end of the little tray containers - immediately upon purchase or extraction from the bigger 1,000 box.

We have all spilled primers, some have even spilled them in the store.

[that1otherdude]

I was grabbing a tray (100 primers) off a rather high shelf in my closet and the inside tray slid out of the sleeve and onto the floor. The closet floor is carpet and made it hard to find the primers. I was ready to go to sleep and just moving them to rearrange to make room for some new powder I just bought. There is always setbacks in life but 100 little bouncing small pistol primers on a somewhat thick carpet kinda

After 30 minutes I found 95, kinda of neat how they fall back into the tray slots so I knew how many were left. Got my flashlight out and found 3 more. Yes 98. I guess I wont be vacuming the closet anytime soon until I find the other 2. This will be one of those "learning experiences". Yes both fingers will be on opposite ends of the sleeve next time I grab one off the shelf.

Jack

Edit:corrected spelling the word inflicted.

bet you could find 'em with a hammer right quick

[mortdooley]

If you can justify the purchase (cheap) go to Lowes or a competitor and buy the small magnet on a stick that is used to pick up nails around home construction sites. A while back while detail cleaning a handgun a small metal part took flight and the magnet made it possible to find it.

[Jeremae]

Most primers are made of soft brass and therefore not attracted by a magnet.

The sound one makes when your wife vacuums it up with a standard beater brush type upright suckbroom is the reason I have a small shop vac and must clean up around my reloading bench all by my self.

[mortdooley]

Jeremae, you are right. I thought the anvil was steel but my magnet didn't pick them up so maybe one of those reusable sticky rollers you wash off.

[longtooth]

Most primers are made of soft brass and therefore not attracted by a magnet.

The sound one makes when your wife vacuums it up with a standard beater brush type upright suckbroom is the reason I have a small shop vac and must clean up around my reloading bench all by my self.

I used to prime in the living room & we would talk while I did that. No more for the above reason.
Again for those new to loading.
You have joined an elite group of husbands that have been in real trouble before.

[Houston1944]

The three mysteries of life in the reloading world:
1. How a 4 gr charge of powder can cover the entire floor of a 12x12 room when dropped.
2. Why at least 2 out of 100 metal primers can evaporate into outer space when dropped to the floor.
3. How a perfectly straight decapping pin can routinely push a primer out of the brass at a 45 degree angle on a rotating basis, so that by the end of the reloading session 20% of the decapped primers are scattered completely around the room.

[tfrazier]

Well, you have more primers in your carpet than Cabela's and Bass Pro has on their shelves. And Midway USA is out, no back orders.
I have 300 left and then I guess I will go back to casting bullets while I wait for the one component I can't manufacture or find used...

[JackRR]

Update..still missing two primers. Good news is that the wife wont touch my closet anyway, so Im OK there.
Glad to be in the "been there - done that" club. My first handloads last week were a success . NO KABOOMS!!!