Reloading 8mm Mauser Berdan primed brass

[drweiler]

Been shooting lots of 1939 8mm German milsurp. Brass is beautiful. I see Graf & Sons has Berdan primer tools and Berdan primers. Are any members reloading Berdan? Is there a known Berdan primer that fits this brass, I hear there were dozens of different primer sizes? Am I trying to overcomplicate my life? Thanks, Don

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Skip]

If you live in the US purchase boxer 8mm cartridges and large rifle primers. Make life easier.

[drweiler]

If you live in the US purchase boxer 8mm cartridges and large rifle primers. Make life easier.

Good advice Skip, and good advice elsewhere, project terminated. Thanks, Don

[Calif-Steve]

You only what this project for rare cartridges. The German 8mm is common. Buy Privi 8mm cases and go for it.

[ireload2]

Given the current firearms issues and prevailing ammo costs now you can do two things.
Shoot up that ammo and save the brass.
1. Learn to remove the berdan primers. There are several youtube videos that show hydraulic methods. One using a press should be easy to get going. I use the RCBS tool but only because I got it for $5 about 15 years ago.
2. Keep the brass free of finger prints and corrosion. Sell it in a large quantity to a handloader that already is using berdans.

[preventec47]

I want to say it may not necessarily be wise to "shoot up" all your old
milsurp ammo as it can have great utility and value if you just pull
and replace the bullets with hunting bullets if you are hunting. At that time you can also double check the amount of powder for uniformity of powder amount or a custom quantity if you change bullet weights etc..