types of primers

[crosshair]

Can somebody please tell me what the difference is ( and should I care ) between Berdan primed or Boxer primed ammo ? Thanks

[Skip]

Berdan brass has the anvil internal to the shell itself. With Boxer brass the anvil is within the primer.

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/skip/full_40_p132.jpg

[Skip]

Here is a better view including the shell case design.

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/skip/full_40_p237.jpg

[Schuetzenman]

:cool: Great Pictures Skip!

[DeltaWolf]

Great info
That is why I like this forum so much

[LightningLink]

I've been trying forever to get a visual of the differences between Berdan and Boxer. All I've ever seen is the flash holes looking down the neck of a spent shell. Excellent pics Skip!

Since you have both, can you give us a run-down on the differences between reloading them? (Assuming that you reload) Things like:
* How hard is it to remove the old Berdan primer?
* Is there any difference seating the new Berdan primer? Do you need different equipment?
* Are Berdan primers more expensive than Boxer primers?
* Are Berdan primers readily available?

I'm into collection C&R rifles and I'm just getting into reloading. Since some of these old rifles use oddball calibers and the surplus ammo is drying up, I'm thinking that reloading Berdan cases will soon be the only way to keep shooting them.

Thanks,
:) LL :)

[Skip]

I tried the Berdan Decapper system but it was too difficult to use. The tool must be adjusted in a precise manner or you will shear off the shell anvil. What I found best to use is a 3/32" bit to pierce the spent primer.
http://album.gunsnet.net/data/skip/full_40_p527.jpg
I then put a screwdriver in the shell mouth and with a sharpen ice pick pry out the spent primer.
http://album.gunsnet.net/data/skip/full_40_p528.jpg There you have it.
http://album.gunsnet.net/data/skip/full_40_p529.jpg
Berdan primers are not difficult to seat. Whereas Boxer primers come in large and small, Berdan primers come in many sizes. Many years ago my friend gave me a few thousand Berdan primers that just so happen to fit the 7.62X39 and the Turkish 8MM. I don't know how hard they are to acquire but they may be more expensive but RWS comes 250 in a pack. I have run out of picture space but if you conduct a search on "Berdan" and "Skip" you will find a picture of the decapping tool and a tray of RWS primers. BTW. Those are my daughters fingers. Mine are too rough and damaged from reloading.:cryeyes:

[Schuetzenman]

Check out the Old Western Scrounger at http://www.snowcrest.net/oldwest/ .

He carries them and I do believe they are quite a bit more expensive than boxer US type primers.

In fact heres a link to the primer page. http://www.ows-ammunition.com/cgi-bin/catalog25/scan/se=PRIMERS/mp=description_price_profile/va=sortby%3ddescription?3iCincum;;66

Large Berdan rifle primers run between $10.65 for 250 to $14.52 for a less popular large berdan rifle primer size for 250 primers. Average price is about $11 something for 250 primers.

Boxer primers are about $14 to $20 per thousand. You decide!;)

[LightningLink]

Thanks for the info. $10.65 is a lot for only 250 primers (compared to 1K), but it still seems reloading is cheaper for the hard to find calibers (like 8x57R at $3-6 for a box of 10). It just looks like it takes more time. Should be fun to try it.

Thanks,
LL