Misc. ammo

[Igiveup]

I got a zip loc bag of 81 misc. .38 spl. ammo the other day. I shot what I thought might be some Blazer reloads, but discovered that after shooting, the primers are Berdan. I had about eight in the bag, they all went bang, with the exception that one had the bullet come loose and jammed the revolver until I figured it out. I dumped the powder and shot the primer, which backed out and gave me fits trying to open the cylinder. Is all the aluminum Blazer ammo Berdan primed? After todays experience, I don't think I will buy that brand again.

 

[BC38]

I don't know about "all" of it, but I shot some 357 and it was Berdan primed too.

 

[Alk8944]

Short answer is NO. Early CCI Blazer in aluminum cases was introduced ca. 1970 and was all Berdan primed. As I recall the cases were RWS. Something like 20-25 years ago the cases were changed to Boxer primed but still aluminum. The intent of the Berdan priming was to make the earlier cases difficult or practically un-reloadable as there was a safety issue with the lack of durability of the impact-extruded cases. Same manufacturing process as beer / soda cans.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If I have to buy factory ammo;

It will not be Berdan or crimped primers, as well as
aluminum or steel cases, that are not the best for reloading, if at all.

I treat this type of ammo as leave it lay or toss it, to prevent problems.

Preferably Brass over Nickel, by a proven company.

 

[mikld]

I have encountered some early Blazer aluminum cases with Berdan primers, but I rarely even pick up any aluminum cases. All the Blazer Brass cases I've seen are brass and boxer primed.

I like reloading and nearly every step in the process. And I like experimenting. I have decapped some Berdan cases (Hydraulic method) but could not find any Berdan rifle primers at that time (about 10 years ago). Besides reloading I would think Berdan primers to be better than Boxer for more consistent, efficient ignition, two smaller jets of "flame" that extend farther into the powder charge. But that's just an old mechanic's thinking...

 

[ddixie884]

Berdan may be better for ignition but Boxer is now nearly universal and I'm glad. I reload several calibers and still remember the first Berdan 30-06 cases I picked up somewhere and how quickly I broke a de-capping pin...........