Surplus 8MM Ammo Berdan or Boxer Primed?

seb1999

February 23, 2003 12:12

When I am shopping for surplus 8mm ammo do I want Berdan or Boxer Primed? Is one corrosive and the other not or does one of them lend itself to reloading better than the other.

I was pricing from Shotgun News and Turkish is slightly cheaper than German - which is better?

Thanks for furthering my education![:I]

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  Tailgunner1954

  February 23, 2003 12:39

  The Boxer primed brass cased stuff would be reloadable.
  If I remember right most of the surplus stuff is steel cased berdan primed.
  Corrosive only means you need to flush the bore with hot water before cleaning at the end of the days shooting (in other words no big deal).
  

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  Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

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  jonk

  February 23, 2003 15:57

  Boxer primed is reloadable but you are unlikely to find much boxer primed surplus. Nearly all will be berdan primed, that is not easily reloaded due to a differing primer pocket design. As said, most uses a corrosive compound in the primer so be sure to flush all surfaces with soapy water, dry, and clean as normal. Just one more step, that's all. Regarding types, it doesn't really matter one way or another for a bolt action rifle; the German is good stuff, so is the Turk though a tad hotter, and Turk shouldn't be used in a semi auto. Your rifle might do great with one and not with the other or vice versa. Romanian, Ecuadorian, Egyptian, etc. etc. are out there, all go boom, though most surplus will have a few duds in it. I would try some of both at the prices they are being offered for now.
  
  "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf

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