Reloading Berdan primed cases.

kjohn

kjohn

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
172   0   0
Location
SE Sask.
I have done a few now and am getting better at it. I reloaded about 16 FNM 8x57 brass that I drilled with a "C" letter drill bit. I have fired them, of course, as original Berdan primed, and once with the shotgun primer installed. I found that I hadn't countersunk the base enough to allow the lip on the shotgun primer to sit flush, so I gave them another go with an inside chamfer bit on a drill. I have a mini drill press that I will have to engineer a method of holding the brass true centre when I initially drill the "C" hole, plus when I chamfer for the lip. Should I be lucky enough to come up with a setup that will hold the brass securely, I can possibly use an end mill to make the depression for the primer lip.

I realize it is a lot of fiddling around to achieve something that isn't really necessary, but I enjoy doing it. I smear a wee bit of red Loctite in the hole and seat the primer on a flat surface by placing a plastic letter opener on the case mouth and lightly tapping it.

I tried some Yugo surplus brass but it seems to be too brittle. The FNM and CBC brass work nice for my purpose. The CBC has a dimple in the inside of the case, between the flash holes, which makes for better centering, not having the anvil to deal with as on the outside. I think the FNM brass is the same, IIRC.

I loaded the finished FNM with 10 grains 700X and a LEE gas check and lubed WW bullet.

Am I crazy? The verdict came back many years ago. Yes, the man is crazy.:giggle:
 
I have done the same in the past for 7.62 x 54r. I find it is a fun way to use up old shotgun primers and get some range time in. I have been using a similar powder charge with a paper patched .312” bullet.
 
You may be crazy, but if it works, it don't matter. I'm going to give this a whirl someday!

I personally appreciate reading about things such as this, as the thinking outside the box aspect tells me more about how a guy handles issues in life. The "just go buy just go buy" guys have already told me who I don't want to be stuck with in any situation that requires out of the box thinking.
 
Snider shooter said:
Man with too much time on his hands. I just use Berdan primers. Down to just over 900 of them. I bought a couple boxes of Dominion a few years ago. Think I paid $80 for the pair of them.
Click to expand...
Nah. Man with curious mind and with a boat load of shotgun primers that I'll not likely use in shot shells any more. ;)
 
kjohn said:
Nah. Man with curious mind and with a boat load of shotgun primers that I'll not likely use in shot shells any more. ;)
Click to expand...

Curious mind, a boat load of primers and... a long cold winter....
'Gotta pass the time until spring somehow :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom