Reloading Berden 7.5x55

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I have been working on a case of swiss GP-11 for about two years now. After I am done, instead of dipping into another case, I am planning to re-load the Swiss brass. I purchased the RCBS Berden decapping tool and it works well once you adjust the pin length and figure out the right technique.

I was wondering however, will I need a special priming tool for the berden primers or will a standard Large rifle priming tool work? Canada Ammo has .217 diameter primers, would these be the correct ones?

And finally, anyone have a good load the replicates the GP-11 load?

Thanks.
 
I use a rcbs primer tool but the berdain primers are slightly bobber and won't feed so I place them in one at a time in the shell holder.
I use 46 gr of imr 4350 and 175 vld , doesn't quite duplicate but good out to 300 yards lags at 500 . Magnetospeed won't fit on the k31 with muzzle brake
 
I have reloaded the GP11 military cartridge for the past 3 years and have learned quite a bit. I have loaded beyond 1k rounds during this time.

Firstly, those Dominion Berdan Primers are NOT at all appropriate (been there, done that), they should only be used for 7.72x39 M43 and pistol cartridge reloading. They cause a hang-fire (1 to 2 seconds) with all 7.5x55 loads especially when using Ball Powder of any type!!

Instead, use the primers that Henry Nierychlo sells:
http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/catalog/Large_Rifle_Berdan_Primers_97.cfm
fyi: Henry is closed all summer, try him after Labour Day...

Alternatively, the 7.62 NATO Berdan primers by RWS work well and are original to the GP11 but GOOD LUCK getting them!

Full-length and/or neck resizing can be done with the decapping pin removed from the expander rod (cut off and file smooth)

The "perfect" Bullet recommendations is here for both Match and hunting:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1426775-Reloading-for-milsurps?p=12789029&viewfull=1#post12789029

I use a custom-built hydraulic deprimer similar to this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FskNx4UBZvc

The primers will fit in the Lee Challenger Press primer insertion attachment that are included with the press.
2889.jpg


I have modified a Lee Chamfer Tool using a Dremel with grinding tip. This mod allows the removal of the primer crimps without damage to the anvil:
Berdan%20Crimp%20Remover_zpskrz5shoj.jpg


Trim to length is achieved with a Lee Quick Trim Die:
http://leeprecision.com/7.5_swiss_qt_die.html
and a Lee Deluxe Quick Trim Case Trimmer:
http://leeprecision.com/deluxe-quick-trim-case-trimmer.html

As for load data, you will have to work them up safely yourself. People often think of the GP11 as being near the equal of the .308 Winchester. Not so:
"GP11 Swiss military cartridge case has identical powder capacity to commercial Winchester .30-06 brass. In fact if the GP11 case were the same length as the .30-06 it would hold approximately 10 grains more powder."
Read more here:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7.5x55+Swiss+GP11.html

Alliant Reloder 17 (hint: made in Switzerland) is a good choice (49gr start, 51 gr MAX). So is Hodgdon H4895. I also intend to give Hodgdon HYBRID 100V a try soon. Expect velocities in the order of 2,700 fps with the bullets that I suggested above. Sub-MOA accuracy also...

Hoping this helps you out.
 
^^^ THIS! K-C knows what he is taking about. I have also reloaded GP11 brass. Berdan primers are a bit hotter than boxer, so the range K-C gave you... 49 - 51 gr of R17 is bang on. I get sub MOA using 168gr Hornady Match BTHP. Additionally, my k31 preferred a very short jump, literally JUST off the lands. I've had success with Varget also. You have to ensure that you don't load too light, be sure to be near max for the Swiss Cartridge. You can see what Pierre Ste-Marie, on the Swiss Rifle boards has to say. If you can find Reloader 17, that would be ideal.
 
a couple of things I have noted on these points.

Henry doesn't carry those primers any more, and he told me he cannot get any of them. :(

secondly, Pierre St Marie's load data is quite a bit on the light side. :) I use a couple of his loads and they are VERY accurate and quite nice to shoot recoil wize. 38grns of 4895 and 39grns of 4064 are two of them. These are very light loads in comparison to many loads listed and well below max pressure loads. Never had one issue yet with them, except for them spoiling me for other loads :)
 
Great info here once again, gents. Thank you. Now I need to figure out what to do with the Dominion Primers I bought.
 
JR Hartman said:
a couple of things I have noted on these points.

Henry doesn't carry those primers any more, and he told me he cannot get any of them. :(

secondly, Pierre St Marie's load data is quite a bit on the light side. :) I use a couple of his loads and they are VERY accurate and quite nice to shoot recoil wize. 38grns of 4895 and 39grns of 4064 are two of them. These are very light loads in comparison to many loads listed and well below max pressure loads. Never had one issue yet with them, except for them spoiling me for other loads :)
Click to expand...

Have you chrony'd your light loads? I'd be interested in your velocities as those are light loads.
 
I would have to guess that due to a current strain in relations between Russia and "the West", (Russian) primers can no longer be imported - just a wild guess and mere speculation on my part...

This is the specs for the RWS primers:
RWS Berdan SINOXID+ #RWS 5620, 5.50mm, Large Rifle (Packaging unit: 250/2,000 pcs)

As for these elusive RWS primers, I tried to get info about retailer availability here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1095187-RWS-Berdan-Primers
I never got a response on that distributor forum, by email or by phone. North Sylva's customer relations suck imho...

I then got this info via PM but never pursued it (June 2014):

"RWS 5620 berdan primers would be $81.00/1000. I would have to order these in special and they could be a few weeks out. If you have any questions please give me a call at the range, john 403-451-1777 http://www.theshootingcentre.com/"

I decided to stay with the primers Henry was selling mainly due to cost. If anyone finds a Canadian source for the RWS primers, I would truly appreciate a heads-up via PM.
 
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