The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Toxic non-metal primers

**Mike Irwin** · July 23, 2013, 08:18 AM

Are you sure that it says toxic, and not NON-toxic?

Non toxic is the coming wave in primers.

"It has been many years since an American or West world primer contained mercury."

The last mecuric primers loaded in the United States were in match ammunition produced in the 1960s in .30-06 and .308.

The primers were also corrosive.

The boxes were marked that the brass was not suitable for reloading and should be disposed of upon firing.

Somewhere in my collection I have a box.

Eley Tenex .22 Match ammunition was still being loaded with mercuric, corrosive priming until sometime in the 1970s or 1980s.

I've been told that the change over was when Eley switched from paper boxes to plastic.

I knew several competitors at Camp Perry who actively sought out every source of paper boxed Tenex that they could find.

July 23, 2013, 08:18 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,383	Are you sure that it says toxic, and not NON-toxic? Non toxic is the coming wave in primers. "It has been many years since an American or West world primer contained mercury." The last mecuric primers loaded in the United States were in match ammunition produced in the 1960s in .30-06 and .308. The primers were also corrosive. The boxes were marked that the brass was not suitable for reloading and should be disposed of upon firing. Somewhere in my collection I have a box. Eley Tenex .22 Match ammunition was still being loaded with mercuric, corrosive priming until sometime in the 1970s or 1980s. I've been told that the change over was when Eley switched from paper boxes to plastic. I knew several competitors at Camp Perry who actively sought out every source of paper boxed Tenex that they could find. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.