I got a close personal friend of mine who is recently about to be a retired Marine Scount Sniper at the rank of Gunnery.

He contacted me about getting some items for his retirement that im having a hard time finding.

He wants 10 total dummy rounds. 5 in 50BMG and 5 in 338 Lapua Mag. Brass cases on both of them. For reference he wants the 50BMG to have a bullet like the 750grain Hornady made for the BMG. And just your standard 225-250 for the 338, nothing fancy.

now here is where it gets tricky...The cases NEED to have a primer in them, but no powder. Is there a way we can get some kind of dummy primer or something? Or are we just going to have to find some to load us up some empty cases with real primers?

seems ive read of people killing primers with penetrating oil or water. maybe spray them down good with some oil and hell spray a little more oil inside the dummy just to be sure it doesnt dry out and become hot again.

Do the dummies NEED to have inert primers for some reason? If not, I'd use live primers. BTW, there's no guarantee that oil or water will kill primers, BTDT.

Machine a faux primer, insert as usual, tell no one.

Honestly live or not doesnt really matter I guess...The rounds will be going into a shadow box and hung on a wall for all of lifetime never to be opened again.

So I guess one could use live primers, there really is not threat of them detonating.

Anyone know where I can get some nice pieces that will be quality enough for display?

I think I still have some 50BMG brass that would have to be cleaned up but I don't have the dies anymore. I sold about everythng with the gun.

Hey Brando, You could always leave a Spent Primer in the Case.

I agree with Macifej. A piece of Brass or Stainless Stock should be available from a Knife Making Supply or perhaps a local Welding Shop.

But, you could drill a hole in a piece of 2x4 just large enough to hold a Live Primer. Put on Shatter Proof Glasses. Aim it away from you outside(generally toward the North ) and pass a long stick over it that is burning on the tip. That will detonate the Priming Compound, and send the Anvil off to points beyond. Then Seat the Primer Cup. polish it up and it will look like it is live.

Best of luck with the project.

Cool, thanks guys...Now I just need to locate a 50BMG press.

Hey Brando, (For me!) You will love this. There is a 50BMG Board here at AR. It is 8-Boards above the Reloading Board. I would think someone there would be glad to help you accomplish the project.

I have made inert primers for dummy rounds a few times.

First, soak the live primers in WD-40 for 30 min.

Second, using a pair of pliars to hold the primer, cup side up, take a pair of tweezers and pull the anvil out of the cup.

Discard anvil in trash.

Now seat the empty primer cup in the brass as you would a normal primer, and you're in business.

I was hoping to find an online dealer or something for these items...

He has changed the order though, aparently with the size limitations he can only fit 2-3 of each piece instead of the originally desired 5 of each caliber.

My understanding is that modern primers are sealed with a substance that stops oil, water etc from getting at the priming compound. This means that you can never be sure a primer has been rendered inert! If you decide to try removal of the anvil/compound as recommended by the previous poster---wear heavy gloves and good safety glasses---please. The advice to use heat to set the compound off seems to be your best option. Another thing that may work is to put a drop of vinegar on the priming compound overnight and this is supposed to destroy the factory ‘seal’ so that oil can then penetrate the compound making it inert---may work, may not---I don’t know, so it’s your call. Stay safe!!

Would a long handled match work for igniting the primer? Like the ones used for like old style fireplaces and such.

Here's a thought--why not just take a fired primer, dump the remaining guts out of it and use a small flat punch from the inside to tap out the primer indent? Then just seat it in your dummy gartridge.

How soon do you need the dummy 50's .

muck

He retires in January, so I have some time. I think the dealine for his box, I need to have it finished before January 9th.