Re-using 1950 Yugo Berdan 8x57 brass

kjohn

kjohn

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I have scads of this brass and ammo. So I have been experimenting with different methods of using Boxer primers in it.

1. I have drilled out the primer pocket completely with a "C" letter drill bit, and used a shotgun primer. Not having yet come up with a suitable way to countersink for the lip on the shotgun primer, I have put this trial aside - for now.

2. Latest attempt starts by drilling a small hole in the Berdan primer and popping out the primer with a 2 1/2" deck screw! I clamp the brass , wrapped with a piece of tough plastic at the head, with a small set of vice grips

The screw has a nice sharp point, somewhat abated on one side of the point. Works perfect. I hold the screw with a pair of pliers.

Then I take the brass to the vice, lower it onto a bolt that fits down to the inside base, set the bolt on a flat surface of the vice, insert a drift punch in the primer pocket, whack it a few times, flattening the anvil.

I then use a drill that fits in the primer pocket to drill the anvil down far enough to accept a large pistol primer.

I use a tiny drill bit to drill out one of the existing flash holes.

I put a bit of blue PERMATEX on the sides of the primer, put it in the pocket, ensuring that it is seated properly, then set it aside.

I have a fair stash of new Boxer brass for 8x57, so this performance is just for fun. I will load them up with a light load of flake powder, 700X or Unique, and small cast bullets for firing in our indoor range. We have first class backstop that never has any stuff coming back. These loads will see some of my "not so successful" powder coated bullets.
 
I started doing the same when I didn’t have very many boxer cases. Drilled and used a pick to lever them out and drill the new flash hole. Went to a gunshow and came home with a Berdan decapper. Before I started using I a fellow was moving to Australia and I bought I a lot of his stuff. Amongst his stuff was over 300 8 Mauser cases so that stopped me playing with berdan cases. I have modified 577-450 cases to take shotshell primers. The relief cut for the primers I did on my lathe. I was also thinking it could be done on the drill by grinding a drill to shape. Lathe I believe is much easier. KJohn if your going to play with stuff like you should get yourself a small lathe. You won’t regret it.
 
Ss: Thanks for the info. These little side trips are more for entertainment and being satisfied that it can be done. My gunner buddy Deaner is toying with the idea of getting a small lathe, so that takes the heat off me. :p
 
I;ll second the motion that you will never regret buying a lathe & a mill-drill. I bought my equipment for hobby gunsmithing & farm equipment repair...so far 90% of my work with them is building do-dads for reloading stuff, the last job was a couple of powder drop bushings/inserts for a Mec Shotgun press for the new "Perfect Pattern" powder. I dont know how many case mouth expanders I have built to custom fit a .002" grip for a different cast bullet dia I wanted to try.

I might even suggest that with the two of you, and with Deaner buying the lathe, that you consider a Mill drill machine.
 
I’m getting past the age of buying things like lathes. I have sold my shop, but I get to use the office and an adjoining set of rooms (heated) until I croak or whatever. I have sold and/or given away nearly all my bigger carpentry tools. I like to muck with stuff like my OP suggests. I have several interests, but usually spend time in the office doodling, researching guns, ammunition, old trucks, railroad diesel locomotives, etc.

At this time, I am listening to “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” as I doodle. It’s not the first time I’ve listened to the story.
 
Biggest reason I bought my lathe was to make the small reloading pieces that are hard to find or they don’t make them. The m die expanders I am constantly making them. Most of my shooting is with cast bullets. Muzzleloader jags for various calibers. Ordering from the states is expensive and sometimes take awhile to receive. I shot a lot of oddball calibers so case forming. I like it that I can go make something in a few minutes compared to ordering which can take a week or months to receive the item. I enjoy making things on a late and seeing them take shape. I experimented with making various styles of ML jags and found out they all work the same but had fun doing it. Only problem I had with the lathe was the accessory’s cost more than the lathe.
 
Five "50" Yugo surplus w/Boxer primers, plus five FNM with Boxer primers. The FNM brass is very nice brass.

8x57 brass a x.jpg
 

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Theirs a guide you can get that screws into your dies to drill a central flash hole in berdan cases then you insert a sleeve with a primer pocket swage and use standard large rifle boxer primers.

They have the sleeves for everything from the smallest berdan to British sized it was the company that sold the .22lr reloading kits.
 
antiqueguy said:
Theirs a guide you can get that screws into your dies to drill a central flash hole in berdan cases then you insert a sleeve with a primer pocket swage and use standard large rifle boxer primers.

They have the sleeves for everything from the smallest berdan to British sized it was the company that sold the .22lr reloading kits.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Any hints as to what the name of the outfit is/was??
 
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