Berdan Primers for 7.62x51 NATO

[rox]

Apparently Berdan primed brass was popular with Match Rifle shooters a few years ago

Some guys were pulling-down new RG then loading with a heavy Berger and suitable powder, then dumping the case after first firing (they were basically getting a free primed case that handled the pressure well). I know one who was actually reloading Berdan RG a while back; there was also a short run of Boxer primed RG (back in the 90s, IIRC). It was always pretty good brass. Lapua Palma brass is popular with those with deep pockets who are pushing the limits and want to reuse the case. This year I'll probably just use Boxer/LR brass that is nearing retirement (i.e. almost needing annealing after moderate loads) and give it one last fling with a heavy Berger.

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[graphictart]

Thanks for all the mixed replies.
Why I hear you ask?

I suppose I can't bear to scrap them.
Don't want to be someone that just turns up at the range and pulls the trigger.
I want to learn as much as I can about reloading.
I want to learn as much as I can about firearms.
It's a hobby to me and this is an avenue that I want to explore and understand.
Too many people want all the latest gear to look cool. I just want to learn.

Yes I understand that it is difficult and a pain in the , but whats the point on giving up at the first hurdle?
(I realise that a lot of you have been down this path but I'm just starting)

Thank you all once again for your views and helpful thoughts.
You never know..................I may just find some berdan primers................one day.

Regards
John

[bradaz11]

If you ate just starting it would probably be better to start eith less variables and work towards berdan priming. Get the complicated bits sorted first then move to worrying about things like primers

[HALODIN]

I used to save my berden brass, but one day I ditched about 200 GGG casings into the club's brass bin. They didn't go to waste, the club will make money on the scrap metal and I saved my time.

[graphictart]

I already reload for
308
7.62x51
303
357/38
12g slug

That ggg is good brass to reload once the primer pocket has been swaged.

Just wanted to try something different.

[dodgyrog]

I used to save my berden brass, but one day I ditched about 200 GGG casings into the club's brass bin. They didn't go to waste, the club will make money on the scrap metal and I saved my time.

GGG are boxer primed - I have a few hundred tucked away

[HALODIN]

The first 200-400 I had were berdan primed, but the next 200 I had were boxer primed...

GGG are boxer primed - I have a few hundred tucked away

[rox]

That ggg is good brass to reload once the primer pocket has been swaged.

I find it to be excellent; close to Lapua in weight-spread, and good to work with. I've just finished swaging and sizing 8k for the season ahead (right arm is now like Popeye's), but I have a set of about 6k that were never crimped. The only drawbacks I see is that the primer pocket seems a little deeper than usual - primers seat to about 0.007" in, and for some reason powder residue on the outside of the neck doesn't tumble off like it does with RWS/Lapua/MEN, but those aren't show-stoppers.

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[snayperskaya]

Rox......this may be of interest to you , they will ship to the UK no problem as I enquired about their 7.62x54r kit.

http://products.russianreloads.com/part ... edium.html