I am about to try this out. The primers are too big to fit the primer cup on my Rockchucker press will I have to make one or can they be purchased? The rest of the procedure seems straightforward. I realize primers come in a variety of diameters and thicknesses. These are standard size RWS for 8x57 7.62x54R etc .
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Reloading Berdan Primers
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
Make up a swaging button for your press. It's only a few thou and the brass moves quite easily. It tends to want to "spring" back a bit though.
I've only had to do this once, with some 8mm Kropatschek milsurp brass.
I have two different sizes of primers, one from North Silva, on special order and another from Canada Ammo (Dominion)
I tried swaging the pockets in my Rock Chucker, but tore off the rims or deformed them.
I finally made up a hardened pin and inset it into a 6''x6''x1/2'' steel plate.
Then all it took was to position the primer pocket over the pin and insert a brass rod into the case mouth to whack with a hammer.
I went through the trouble of drilling out and profiling the pin to approximate the shape of the anvil on my cases.
It's nit picky but simple and it works.
I've only had to do this once, with some 8mm Kropatschek milsurp brass.
I have two different sizes of primers, one from North Silva, on special order and another from Canada Ammo (Dominion)
I tried swaging the pockets in my Rock Chucker, but tore off the rims or deformed them.
I finally made up a hardened pin and inset it into a 6''x6''x1/2'' steel plate.
Then all it took was to position the primer pocket over the pin and insert a brass rod into the case mouth to whack with a hammer.
I went through the trouble of drilling out and profiling the pin to approximate the shape of the anvil on my cases.
It's nit picky but simple and it works.
You can seat them Lee Loader style, pushing the case down onto the primer. Did large .303 this way.
You can also use a custom primer cup as you suggested in your post. I recall altering one for Berdans many years ago, when I was reloading Swedish 6.5x55 brass.
You can also use a custom primer cup as you suggested in your post. I recall altering one for Berdans many years ago, when I was reloading Swedish 6.5x55 brass.
The large primer seater will work fine. Yes the primers will not fit in it but it will center the primer to the pocket. Take your time and seat them slowly. To fast and you can have the primer tilt a bit and you will seat it sideways. I loaded several hundred back in the days when Tula primers were available.
This is more of a challenge than a necessity .Just never tried it before.
Buff, I'm under the impression you have a lathe???
It's a simple job to make up a primer cup for your press.
If you're using a hand priming press, the Berdan primers fit through the shell head holder.
