Boxer ? primers

king999

August 22, 2002 07:36

Gentlemen: I recently aquired some 8mm Mauser military ammo (country of origin unknown) and after firing, noted that it had ONE primer hole like BOXER primed. (It was sold to me as BERDAN.) I was delighted with the "error", but when I tried to decap it, the decapping pin could not enter the hole. Does anyone know anything about this. Oh, yes, the ammo is great shooting. Did 1 1/2" groups in stock M48.
Thanks for the help.
Morty (have fun, be careful)

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  jonk

  August 22, 2002 08:51

  There are several types of Berdan primer flash holes. While the most common is the standard two hold arrangement at 180 degrees from each other, I have also seen a triangular 3 hole arrangement, single hole off center arrangements, and single hole center arrangements, where the flash hole is actually drilled through the case's anvil. None are easily reloadable and if you couldn't decap them they probably are indeed Berdan primed.
  
  "...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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  Iconoclast

  August 22, 2002 09:35

  king99, jonk is, as usual, correct on the Berdan configurations. The one way to be absolutely certain would be to remove a fired primer from the outside using a Berdan decapper or - very carefully so you don't slip & pierce your hand - a sharp object (pierce primer cover on one side with an ice pick or something of that ilk, then pry up). If the anvil is part of the case, you will not be able to reload without doing the whole Berdan routine. If it is a boxer pocket, the flash hole may be too small, somewhat off center or your tools may be off.

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  MIKE WISKEY

  August 22, 2002 11:04

  just an old if some what messey way to decap berdan (or boxer) primers is to first remove the decaping rod from your die set and full lenght size the case, next replace the decaping rod, fill the resized case with water and run it partway into the die. the hydralic pressure will pop the primer out.

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