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

Good evening guys and gals.
I've got som Berdan brass in 7.62x51 and the tools to prep it back to a reloading state but I appear to be coming up short in resourcing some correct sized primers.

Anyone help me?
Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

All help appreciated.
John

Russia ..................... if you can get an import licence................ & DOSG approval to ship them.............

or break into Radway Green overnight & pinch a few hundred.............. without getting caught. 77

Most people just scrap berdan cases, is there any particular reason you're not scraping them as well? Boxer primed brass is a lot easier to deal with.

graphictart wrote:Good evening guys and gals.
I've got som Berdan brass in 7.62x51 and the tools to prep it back to a reloading state but I appear to be coming up short in resourcing some correct sized primers.

Anyone help me?
Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

All help appreciated.
John

Why bother?

I believe RWS make berdan primers and RUAG are the importers.
Or maybe ask at Fultons?

Berdan primers cannot be found in the same quantity as boxer primers, they are more difficult to decap and do not offer any advantage over boxer primer.

Other than for the purpose of "because I can", why would you choose to reload berdan primed brass especially in a calibre with plentiful boxer primed brass available?

"especially in a calibre with plentiful" and cheap "boxer primed brass available?"

WelshShooter wrote:Berdan primers cannot be found in the same quantity as boxer primers, they are more difficult to decap and do not offer any advantage over boxer primer.

Other than for the purpose of "because I can", why would you choose to reload berdan primed brass especially in a calibre with plentiful boxer primed brass available?

Au contraire. They are easy to decap, the brass is good quality - especially the German stuff, you use 5% less powder and people throw the brass away!
Primers can be found if you try - I have a few 1000 stashed away.
What's not to like?

dodgyrog wrote:

WelshShooter wrote:Berdan primers cannot be found in the same quantity as boxer primers, they are more difficult to decap and do not offer any advantage over boxer primer.

Other than for the purpose of "because I can", why would you choose to reload berdan primed brass especially in a calibre with plentiful boxer primed brass available?

Au contraire. They are easy to decap, the brass is good quality - especially the German stuff, you use 5% less powder and people throw the brass away!
Primers can be found if you try - I have a few 1000 stashed away.
What's not to like?

Good points. I have kept hold of my MEN brass only because I don't like the idea of throwing brass away, but it's hard enough to find a local gunshop by me that order magnum primers never let alone berdan primers!

WelshShooter wrote:Berdan primers cannot be found in the same quantity as boxer primers, they are more difficult to decap and do not offer any advantage over boxer primer.

Other than for the purpose of "because I can", why would you choose to reload berdan primed brass especially in a calibre with plentiful boxer primed brass available?

Berdan primed ammunition was/is cheaper to produce in bulk for the military as the primers don't need a seperate anvil built into them and the two flash holes/larger primer charge offered a more efficient ignition, especially in the old days when a lot of Berdan primed rounds were initially black powder rounds like the early 7.62x54r and .303 etc.

Apparently Berdan primed brass was popular with Match Rifle shooters a few years ago, not sure if this still the case. I have an original Hydro-Punch de-capper, brass and primers and do use them occasionally.