De-priming Berdan brass...

[Andy]

Can Berdan be safely converted to Boxer? It seems like a jig that allows a hole to be drilled in the centre of the primer pocket would allow a boxer primer to be installed, and sufficiently supported as to be operable. You'd have more area for the flame to travel (one "normal" sized hole and the origonal two small ones), which would affect ignition, and direct more gas force against the primer.

I'm sure it's been done - any reports on the pros and cons of it?

[Claven2]

Can Berdan be safely converted to Boxer? It seems like a jig that allows a hole to be drilled in the centre of the primer pocket would allow a boxer primer to be installed, and sufficiently supported as to be operable. You'd have more area for the flame to travel (one "normal" sized hole and the origonal two small ones), which would affect ignition, and direct more gas force against the primer.

I'm sure it's been done - any reports on the pros and cons of it?

I read an online article a few days back about a guy who converts Bulgarian 8x56R Berdan cases to 8x50 boxer. He rigged a jig up to drill the flash hole and remove the anvil. He then soft-soldered a piece of .22 cal shell into the pocket to reduce the pocket diameter and swaged the pockets to standard LR pocket size.

Apparently it works very well, but I imagine it's a tedious process.

[unomauser]

Where Can I get some Berdan Primers?, I have around 300 emty cases of jp11, that I would love to reload.
TIA
unomauser

[MiG25]

i bought one of those RCBS tools off the shelf at wholesale sports of all places.

how does one contact north sylva for berdan primers? i have some beautiful brass 7.92 and 7.62 nato that just saddens me not to reuse.

[Andy]

i bought one of those RCBS tools off the shelf at wholesale sports of all places.

how does one contact north sylva for berdan primers? i have some beautiful brass 7.92 and 7.62 nato that just saddens me not to reuse.

North Sylva Co
19 Ingram Dr
North York ON,
M6M 2L7
Phone: 416-242-4867

[tiriaq]

Can Berdan cases be converted to Boxer? Yes. BUT it is an extreme solution that would only make sense if there were no other alternative. EG - rare cases, not formable from any Boxer primed case or Berdan case which uses a standard, available primer; an unobtainable size of Berdan primers, etc. I have heard of caseheads being drilled and threaded, with a new pocketed insert threaded and bonded into place.
I suppose that if the case base were thick enough, a small Berdan pocket could be cut out, and a larger boxer pocket cut in. A carbide primer pocket uniforming tool would probably do this quite nicely.
For gallery loads, I have drilled out 1/4" Berdan .303 cases, and seated 209 shotgun primers; fired buckshot pellets indoors with a tiny powder charge.

[kurt250]

i used the rcbs tool then a friend told me to use a ice pick. i tried it and have never gone back to the rcbs. pop the ice pick with the hand and pry out . mush faster and just as good. as to the primers, i found them at old western scroungers. i buy at least 3000 at as time, so i woun't run out. gotzguns