I was given a couple hundred Berdan primers the other day. I want to try reloading some European calibers and am wondering how to remove the old primer. The only thing I can think of is hydraulic method ie... water in the cartridge and slamming a wood dowel down the cartridge. I there a tool to do this and avoid a mess?
Berdan primers
- Thread starter Igiveup
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
ReloadforFun
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2021
- Messages
- 282
- Reaction score
- 320
RCBS makes a Berdan decapper, but it leaves much to be desired.
Hydraulic or pneumatic are preferred.
Or shelve the Berdan primers and see about converting the cases to Boxer.
Hydraulic or pneumatic are preferred.
Or shelve the Berdan primers and see about converting the cases to Boxer.
I second the above. I have one of the berdan decappers and using it is largely a matter of luck IMHO. The hydraulic method worked more relaiably, at least for me.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Some people remove Berdan Primers by:
1) Turn the case up side down on a tight fitting rod (dense wood or metal)
2) Using the smallest nail set, tap at the edge of primer straight down. One firm rap is best!
3)The primer will pivot on the anvil, and the opposite side will pop up slightly.
4) use small needle nose plyers and tug out rest of way.
There are several "standard" primer diameters, and also several "Standard" powers of Berdan Primers. If you have the exact match you will do just OK! I have 15 different Berdan Primers, I only have success with the monster from Eley for Nitro Express Rifles! Everything else, I found it easier to buy or make Boxer Primed Brass!
Some people drill out Berdan Primers with a tool to make a Large Rifle Boxer Primer Pocket!
Federal 215 primer was made to get good powder ignition in 600 Nitro size cases. It will light up anything short of 50BMG! I use Federal 210 for medium size cases, and Remington 7 1/2 for all small pocket converted cases! I have a 500 count tin of the Eley primers left, when they are gone, I will most likely be gone too, so it won't matter!
I tried the RCBS tool It broke, so I got a second one used, it broke too, I replaced both broken parts, They broke again.
Hornady Custom shop makes "Hydraulic Decappers" if you can stand it.
Ivan
1) Turn the case up side down on a tight fitting rod (dense wood or metal)
2) Using the smallest nail set, tap at the edge of primer straight down. One firm rap is best!
3)The primer will pivot on the anvil, and the opposite side will pop up slightly.
4) use small needle nose plyers and tug out rest of way.
There are several "standard" primer diameters, and also several "Standard" powers of Berdan Primers. If you have the exact match you will do just OK! I have 15 different Berdan Primers, I only have success with the monster from Eley for Nitro Express Rifles! Everything else, I found it easier to buy or make Boxer Primed Brass!
Some people drill out Berdan Primers with a tool to make a Large Rifle Boxer Primer Pocket!
Federal 215 primer was made to get good powder ignition in 600 Nitro size cases. It will light up anything short of 50BMG! I use Federal 210 for medium size cases, and Remington 7 1/2 for all small pocket converted cases! I have a 500 count tin of the Eley primers left, when they are gone, I will most likely be gone too, so it won't matter!
I tried the RCBS tool It broke, so I got a second one used, it broke too, I replaced both broken parts, They broke again.
Hornady Custom shop makes "Hydraulic Decappers" if you can stand it.
Ivan
Last edited:
cgt4570
Member
Yes, the hydro method works best. Years ago, a fellow shooter and I put together a simple cartridge holder from copper tubing set in a 2x4, and used a snug fitting dowel to force the primer out with water. We were reloading 7.5 Swiss before it was readily available commercially.
I tried resizing .284 Win to 7.5x55 and never had any luck, just stuck cases and ruined brass.
I still have a couple sizes of Berdan in my primer can.
You'll wanna wear your Speedos because you're gonna get wet!
I tried resizing .284 Win to 7.5x55 and never had any luck, just stuck cases and ruined brass.
I still have a couple sizes of Berdan in my primer can.
You'll wanna wear your Speedos because you're gonna get wet!
Have used the RCBS tool for literally 1000's of rounds. It goes through (breaks) the pins, and it largely depends on how far down you set the decaping pin. It ain't a pleasant task.
Similar threads
