Berdan to Boxer primer conversion??

[yooper_sjd]

wondering if anyone has done this, or knows a bit or two about it????? any input welcome

 

[Eli]

Generally a LOT more effort than it's worth. You have to remove the anvil, drill a flash hole, and change the pocket size.

Eli

 

[Pappy]

It can be done, but requires a lot of set-up. A jewelers lathe is helpful. Unless it is for a rare cartridge, it's not worth it.

Besides, Berdan primers are available.....

 

[Dawico]

Yes, it is not well known that Berdan cases can be reloaded. I have never done it before, but it would be interesting to know how.

 

[Pappy]

Yes, it is not well known that Berdan cases can be reloaded. I have never done it before, but it would be interesting to know how.

The case has to be supported so a sharp awl can be hammered at an angle in order to pry out the fired primer. If you have the correct Berdan primer, reloading is the same as the Boxer...

 

[Dawico]

I see, you remove the primer from the outside. I thought maybe there was a two pronged decapped that had to be lined up with the flash holes. Sounds like a pain either way.

 

[Pappy]

I see, you remove the primer from the outside. I thought maybe there was a two pronged decapped that had to be lined up with the flash holes. Sounds like a pain either way.

It can be done from the inside..again support the case upright so you can fill it with water and hammer a close fitting rod down the case mouth. Hydraulic pressure will pop it out. Messy, tedious...Prying is the best.
There is a a commercial tool that attaches to the rim and does the same prying....

 

[robocop10mm]

Old Western Scrounger used to carry Berdan primers, but I don't thinks they do any longer. Berdan's have been scarce for a while now.

 

[hkusp1]

check out the ammo smith on you tube he's got a video about changing berdan to boxer but i think he does it on steal case's.

 

[jbcalhoun]

YouTube - Berdan decapping tool demonstration

 

[Texasjack]

Ultimately, the question is, "Why bother?"

Countries that use Berdan primers do that so that it's difficult to reload. Blazer uses Berdan primers in their aluminum cartridges as it's unsafe to reload.

Sell your Berdan-primed brass for scrap metal and buy Boxer-primed ammo.

 

[Leadpot]

Can you imagine 1000 rds to do ? wow....Looks like a job be best done in the coldest of days. Nope. Not worth it .

 

[Pappy]

YouTube - Berdan decapping tool demonstration

I notice he calls a Boxer primer a Box primer..I stopped watching at that point.....

 

[TheDan]

This guy just punches right through, lol
YouTube - Reloading Steel Case ammo

 

[phatcyclist]

I have some 7.5x55 Swiss cases that are 5.5mm (I think) berdan primered but just as I looked around for some primers I found a sack of boxer primed cases for sale and purchased that.