A while back my father had purchased a box of .303 british FMJ with extra large berdan primed rounds. Is there a source for these primers, or is this brass just a conversation topic from now on?
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A while back my father had purchased a box of .303 british FMJ with extra large berdan primed rounds. Is there a source for these primers, or is this brass just a conversation topic from now on?
I think berdan primers have mostly gone the way of the DO-DO now. You can get boxer components easily enough that I would just change over. I don't know anywhere here in Canada to get them.
Berdan Primers were quite common on military ammunition before 1950 and even later, in Canada. Other countries still use them.
With many people taking up reloading ammunition, the Boxer primer system is much easier and more convenient to use. It also does not require a lot of special depriming tools.
You should be aware that most of this ammo has corrosive primers in it. The solution was to run two pints of boiling water down the rifle bore, then clean it. This washes the salt in the corrosive primers out. Brass using corrosive primers also has a residue inside it, which will attract moisture and weaken the case.
What it adds up to, is that .303 Boxer primed cases and primers are available at a reasonable price. It is not really worth the extra expense of fooling around with the odd cases. If you have only one box or so, do yourself a favor and use them for conversation pieces--it is just not worth the hassle.
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That's what I figured. Thanks MK
RWS #6000 is the size; I do not know if anyone is importing these into North America any more.
There are no Berdan primers being imported anymore as demand for them just isn't there and the cost is high. Plus there are so many different sizes of them compared to Boxer primers.
Precision Shooters' Supply in Ontario was importing these some years ago, being that they were an RWS stocking importer. Expensive, though! Don't know if they are still there but it's likely; they were also the Anschutz importer.
If you have a lathe or a good drillpress with a vise with a V-notch for holding tubing, you can drill out the primer pockets straight, then recess the new pocket just a bit with a larger drill..... and press in shotgun primers. Shotgun primers are okay for up to 30-odd k psi; I have used them for light loads and I'm still here. Neat thing is that if you lose one at the range and someone else picks it up, they will NEVER figure out what it is!
Good luck!
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