Berdan to Boxer

[Kinsman]

If the diameter of the primers is the same, could a berdan primed brass be converted to boxer by drilling a centered hole?
I understand that this would weaken the basse, but maybe could be used in some applications.
Are the primer diameters the same?

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

What are you going to do with the anvil that's also made into the primer pocket?

Personally I don't even know anyone that works with Berdan primers, or where you would get them. But if you find some economical and effective way to do it. Please keep us informed.

Good luck.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

Read the thread a few down in the same forum about loading Berdan brass. There's a short video showing part of the process.

 

[Halfnutz]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

I did see a half assed way to do this (on the internet of course). The guy supports the primer pocket from the inside and hammers down the Berdan anvil so it is flush w/ the bottom of the pocket. It leaves a couple of pin holes where the berdan flash holes are but closes them up about halfway. Then he cleans up the pocket and drills a center flashhole. He was attempting this for use on obscure or obsolete brass.
Interesting it was, but not simple or anything I would want to have to depend on.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Halfnutz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...
Interesting it was, but not simple or anything I would want to have to depend on. </div></div>

I agree...

 

[Pogo57]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

And how consistent will the results be?

More trouble than it's worth.

 

[pacomdiver]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

its not really difficult, i tinkered with this a bit and after you pull the primer, i put the case in a sizing die for the caliber in my vise and mill the anvil down in my milling machine, then use a center punch to center the flashole and drill it out, i then put the case into my reloading press with my rcbs swager and put a regular shellholder in and put a small ball bearing into the shellholder where the primer hole is and press the bearing into the the primer pocket to press some of the edge into the pocket, when i get a bunch done, i change the shellholder for the swager lower and swage the hole. its plenty strong for stout loads in my mosins using the 7.62x54 using 45g of imr4064

 

[chung400ramair]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

t pacodiver: u r ahead of me in doing this primer changeover,however, in my tinkering to find a safe & solid use for all the good Berdan brass that i've rescued, i have paralled your thoughts along the milling operation to enable use of Boxer type primers into Berdan brass if the various outside dimensions of Berdan matches our Boxer spec's. foreign brass, reguardless of them having the Nato (x)) marked on them are only speced out for ONE FIRING unlike our LAKE CITY mil spec brass that is head & shoulders above many in hardness & case strenght that allow many more than just one firing. the strenght & longevity of selected brass be factored in with your milling time. i would like you to consider the fact that since the two Berdan (the dual holes have proven to have a stabilizing effect on variations from round to round)has worked well in the first firing, why not use them for subsequent firings & save the time & labor of drilling a hole that is unneeded unless one desires so. keep youy powder dry. 400corbon

 

[bfoosh006]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

Although it really isn't practcal to do that. I still have been saving all Berdan brass for the day when you "can" get Berdan primers. ( please don't ruin my silly little "dream"...its just that some of that brass is so dang good...Portuguese, etc.. )

 

[RMPSTRAT]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

Berdan primers were expensive and hard to get 15yrs ago. I have no idea who has them now.

 

[Kinsman]

Re: Berdan to Boxer

Thanks for the input. I asked the question simply to find out, not if it is economically feasible, but if it can be done.