Does anybody know a source of Berdan Primers?

[gandog56]

I'm getting a little jig that's supposed to blast out old Berdan primers using water pressure. If I works, I'm going to try to reload my 7.62X564R.

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[tiriaq]

Find the US distributor for RWS. They should be able to supply.

[K31]

Just buy an RCBS Berdan decapping tool. They work quickly and easily, that wet method doesn't usually work at all on military primers. I was just discussing this subject with another reloader on Friday, and we both agreed that most people that suggest using the wet method have probably never tried it!

[oozlefinch]

Just buy an RCBS Berdan decapping tool. They work quickly and easily, that wet method doesn't usually work at all on military primers. I was just discussing this subject with another reloader on Friday, and we both agreed that most people that suggest using the wet method have probably never tried it!

The so-called "hydraulic method" of de-capping Berdan-primed cases is a rite of passage that novice re-loaders must perform. It's like the hazing that pledges must suffer to be accepted into Greek fraternities, or the humiliating "snipe hunts" that Cub Scouts endure for the amusement of their fellows.

To be fair, it can be made to work on the second and subsequent loadings, after the crimp has been removed and the primer pocket swaged to full size, but only at the risk of flooding the basement floor.

Get the tool. Stay dry. Good luck.

[Maxwell Smart]

Just buy an RCBS Berdan decapping tool. They work quickly and easily, that wet method doesn't usually work at all on military primers. I was just discussing this subject with another reloader on Friday, and we both agreed that most people that suggest using the wet method have probably never tried it!

Well, I have been using the wet method for decapping Berdan Primers for over 20 years. I also have an RCBS decapping tool.

In my experience, on Australian made .303 and 7.62 with military crimped primers, the RCBS tool is utterly defeated. The hydraulic method gives me a quick clean and reliable way of getting the military primers out. Trim the remaining crimp out of the primer pocket, and then it is a breeze to use the RCBS tool on subsequent reloads.

[Claven2]

If you lathe the pin to tightly fit the brass, it DOES work - despite the crimp. I've done it time and again. Eventually I bought the RCBS tool. It really IS the way to go.

[K31]

I tried custom building my own pins, too, but it still didn't stop the garage from getting soaked! If you do this, be sure to wear your army issue poncho, and your Newfie rain hat.

[gandog56]

Boys, boys, all that does me no good if I can't find the Berdan Primers to reload with.

[skeet1]

Not to long ago PMC was selling .217 Berdan primers. I'm not sure if they still do , if not maybe you can find somone that still has some.

[K31]

My friend has a bunch of RWS Berdan primers, what sizes do you need?