The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

When I was at the Trafalgar Meeting this year, I bought a part used tin of No.78 Berdan primers from a stand selling old Kynoch ammunition among lots of other stuff. I have no use for them but for less than the price of a pint of Guinness at the Artists Rifles clubhouse, I thought I would have them. There are 183 primers in the tin. These primers measure .20 in diameter. The No.81 primers are .217 and the No.69 are .178. I have looked up what cartridges used this primer and there aren't many. I have looked at old Thomas Bland and Cogswell & Harrison catalogues from the 1960s and they list 6.5x53R, 6.5x58, 32/40, .351 Win and .401 Win only. .30-30 Win was loaded with a 78 primer until 1960 when it was changed to an 81 primer. I have a 6.5x58 rifle but I suppose the chance of finding any useable old cases that I could use these primers in is as remote as finding an honest politician. Anyway, just something to add to the collection.
Regards
Peter.