[tdwhite03]

Anyone have an idea how I could deactivate a primer without setting it off? a friend of mine asked me if I could make a necklace with an old 375 rifle shell as the pendant and he wants the bullet the remain as is and the primer to appear unfired. I think I can drill a hole for the chain or strap and remove the powder that way but I am at a loss about making the primer safe. Not even real sure about drilling a hole in the casing and not settting off the powder.

TD

[Delmar]

First, find someone near you that reloads and borrow a bullet puller. Pull the bullet out then pour the powder out. Then drill your hole. Once you have that done I wonder if you could put on some goggles and gloves and heat the primmer up with a match?

Better still when you find the person near you that reloads just get him to make one up for you without any powder. I would offer to make one and send it too you, but I don't have anything besides 45 ACP.

[err.gray]

Rather than drilling a hole through the case to run a rope or chain through, why don't you go to a hardware or craft store and procure some small self tapping eyebolts? Tumble the case, deprime it seat a bullet and screw the eyebolt into the primer pocket. Use a dab of JB Weld to lock the eyebolt in place and spray the finished product with clearcoat to keep it from tarnishing.

[err.gray]

Oh! I didn't realize your friend was wanting to turn an unfired round into jewelry. Not prudent man...

[perotter]

Water & lye will deactivate modern primers. It has to be able to get thru the lacquer & into the mix.

[Slimshady]

Is that particuler cartridge sentimental to him somehow, or would any round do? Best way to do this would be to start from scratch with someone who reloads. Choose a rimless round with an extractor groove. Take a new primer and carefully remove the anvil and seal while holding the primer in a pair of pliers. Scrape out the priming compound. Prime the case with the now inert primer. Seat and crimp in a bullet on the empty case. Use copper wire twisted into the extractor groove to hold it to the necklace.

[Silicon Wolverine]

wd-40 does a bang up job of deactivating primers.

SW

[Nuprometheus]

Water & lye will deactivate modern primers. It has to be able to get thru the lacquer & into the mix.

What he said....I used to make necklaces with .357 and .44 rounds in high school (don't ask), all I did was stand them upright in a glass and fill with water till the water level is over the round.. let sit for a few days.. take the round out and give it a gentle shake.. you shouldn't be able to hear the powder inside.. drill a small hole on one side and set back in water for a day to make sure the primer is no longer live. Cheap little method but it works.

[C9Shooter]

wd-40 does a bang up job of deactivating primers.

SW

+1 on that. A former member here who is a friend told me this trick.

[tdwhite03]

So I just soak the round in WD 40 and give it a day or two?