What is in a shotgun shell primer

what does this have to do with BB? in a rim fire shot gun shell, there is an explosive putty (i think) and when you pull the trigger, the firing hammer hits the rim of the shell and sets off the putty, the powder burns and sends the pellets flying

because my friend shot himself in the hand with the primer he tried to make it blow up with a nail and the center is out and theres black shit in his hand and i need to know what it is.

setting a shotgun shell off with a nail?!?!? how dumb is this guy.

pretty dumb

The black shit in his hand is probably carbon, either from the gunpowder or the burning of his flesh.

This incident brings to mind many comedy routines about hunting with people that lack common sense...

"He's not the brightest boy, but he's a good hunter. He calls his technique 'If It Moves, Shoot It!'"

[This message has been edited by d1pstick (edited 12-24-2002).]

����Lead azide leaps to mind, but the primers are probably filled with something else nowadays.

~Zero

i think what he is asking is Is the stuff in his hand hazardous to his health? maybe not but thats what ide be wondering.

are hsi fingers still on his hand?

Ah yes...I did this about about 7-8 months ago. Completely underestemating the power of the primer I decided to set one off with a hammer and screw driver. It took two healthy whacks and went off on the third, sending god knows what all into the bottom of my left hand and forearm and the top of my right. They appeared to be small metal flakes and hurt like hell. It was weird though because the brass button from the primer completely curled around the screw driver I was using. Kinda nifty But to answer your question, I'm still alive so I dont think it poses any health risks.

I know how increadibly stupid that was and I haven't done it again since . So please, no flames.

i thought it was lead azide to and i just wanted to make sure because i was worried he'd get lead poisoning. he arlready went to the e.r and got it cleaned out though

����You would need more lead than that to do any permanent harm to yourself, methinks.

~Zero

they used to use lead azide now i think there are using mercury fulminate at least thats what my hunting teacher told me when i asked but im still leaning toward lead azide

In case of fucking stupidity see your doctor

Its most likely not a fulminate, to unstable, im gusesing lead azide.

CTR

I'm 99% sure it's Lead Styphnate.

http://www.savetheguns.com/glossary_of_terms.htm


"PRIMER: The ignition component of a cartridge, generally made up of a metallic fulminate or (currently) lead styphnate."


there you go