Boxer primer and Berdan primer
- Thread starter cwlam3
- Start date
The boxer has a single hole inside the cartridge were the primer ignites the powder whereas the birden has two small holes side by side. The boxer can be de-primed for reloading, the birden cannot (someone told it can, but its very difficult)
Ammunition can be of high quality using either system. There was a test done a while back with Berdan primed 6PPC ammunition, and its performance was superb. The thought was that the multiple jets from the twin Berdan flasholes gave better ignition. For practical purposes, either works just fine. I have reloaded a lot of Berdan ammunition, and its no big deal. But if Boxer cases are available in a given calibre, there is little reason to use Berdan primed cases.
Berdan primers are found mostly in military ammo. Military ammo is not know for it's accuracy. That said, the Radway-Green match ammo that comes out of the UK is Berdan primed and very accurate.
I think the main reason RG uses Berdan primers is so no one nicks the brass for reloading.
Most brass that you would buy in North America for reloading would be Boxer primed. You would really have to look hard to find new brass for your stockpile of Berdan primers.
I think the main reason RG uses Berdan primers is so no one nicks the brass for reloading.
Most brass that you would buy in North America for reloading would be Boxer primed. You would really have to look hard to find new brass for your stockpile of Berdan primers.
A bit of history. Berdan was an American and Boxer was British.
Boxer primers are used mainly by North America, and Berdan primers are used mainly by the Europeans.
maynard.
I had some RG sniper and RG combat issue and the sniper accuracy was horrible, but not the combat.
Boxer primers are used mainly by North America, and Berdan primers are used mainly by the Europeans.
maynard.
I had some RG sniper and RG combat issue and the sniper accuracy was horrible, but not the combat.
A little longer explanation,
Boxer: reloadable with equipment found everywhere. All standard reloading kits are for boxer primed brass.
Berdan: reloadable only with special kit to drive out the old primer. I do believe that berdan primers are also different dimension so they would be special order.
Boxer: reloadable with equipment found everywhere. All standard reloading kits are for boxer primed brass.
Berdan: reloadable only with special kit to drive out the old primer. I do believe that berdan primers are also different dimension so they would be special order.
RePete said:
The cadets use RG Competition 155 in their RPA target rifle and it shoots very well.
The RG that is isssued at Bisley gets better as the week goes. Crappy lots to start with then the good stuff come out for the important shoots. Some rifles will shoot all of it extremely well as you can see by the scores on the NRA UK website.
