Where can I buy lead free primers?

dimo · November 2, 2008, 09:17 PM

I want to make my own "range safe" ammo. I know PMC makes lead free primers, but I can't find them anywhere. Anyone know where I can get my hands on them?

snuffy · November 2, 2008, 10:00 PM

You can't. PMC is no longer in business. The others that are making lead free primers for their own ammo, are not selling them to handloaders. I doubt they ever will. They need specially altered cases,(larger flash hole), and are only made in small pistol.

**Unclenick** · November 2, 2008, 10:45 PM

The NT lead free priming compound, DDNP, makes a higher pressure explosion than standard priming mix does. As a result, you not only have to open up the primer hole but also have to crimp the primers in place to keep them from backing out with excessive force. Nobody makes a primer crimper for hand loaders, AFAIK. It wouldn't be hard to do, but once crimped and then reamed for reloading, there is no longer enough brass around the primer pocket to crimp it a second time. So the fired case case can't be multiply loaded as NT.

There is a decent article on the history of it here.

dimo · November 3, 2008, 12:41 AM

Appreciate the info

November 2, 2008, 09:17 PM	#1
dimo Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Posts: 2	Where can I buy lead free primers? I want to make my own "range safe" ammo. I know PMC makes lead free primers, but I can't find them anywhere. Anyone know where I can get my hands on them?

November 2, 2008, 10:00 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	You can't. PMC is no longer in business. The others that are making lead free primers for their own ammo, are not selling them to handloaders. I doubt they ever will. They need specially altered cases,(larger flash hole), and are only made in small pistol. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

November 2, 2008, 10:45 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,062	The NT lead free priming compound, DDNP, makes a higher pressure explosion than standard priming mix does. As a result, you not only have to open up the primer hole but also have to crimp the primers in place to keep them from backing out with excessive force. Nobody makes a primer crimper for hand loaders, AFAIK. It wouldn't be hard to do, but once crimped and then reamed for reloading, there is no longer enough brass around the primer pocket to crimp it a second time. So the fired case case can't be multiply loaded as NT. There is a decent article on the history of it here. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 3, 2008, 12:41 AM	#4
dimo Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Posts: 2	Appreciate the info