Primer question

concealedG36

Small rifle primers are the same as pistol primers aren't they?

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know"- Kansas

concealedG36

Whats the difference between Berdan and Boxer primers?

Thank you,
G36



Gun Control Disarms Victims, NOT Criminals

22WRF

There are two major types of primers, Boxer and Berdan. Boxer primers are predominately used in America.
These primers are self-contained units, holding all the necessary ingrediants and structures or their operation.
The shells that receive these types of primers have a single flashholein the center of the primer pocket.
Berdan primers are missing the anvil , or the piece of metal that the detonation material is struck against. The
anvil is part of the primer pockets of shells made to receive Berdan primers. Boxer primers are used on shells
that are meant to be reloadable. A large pin is driven by a loading press into the shell through the case
mouth. The pin pushes the spent primer out of the primer pocket through the single, large flashhole. Since the
primer is fully self-contained, a whole new primer complete with anvil can be pressed into the empty primer
pocke

I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man

concealedG36

Very interesting, thank you.

So, if I understand correctly, Berdan primed cartridges are cheaper because they are not reloadable (or, at least, not by normal means)?

Perhaps that is why bulk foreign (Berdan primed) ammo is cheaper?

G36



Gun Control Disarms Victims, NOT Criminals

22WRF

Most most imported berdan is corrosive hence cheaper.
Berdan can be reloaded with boxer after cleaning out the primer pocket. Lyman used to have a tool just for that

I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man

jonk

Berdan primers are NOT corrossive, any more than boxer primers are. BOTH primers are corrossive if they are of older manufacture, using mercuric priming compounds; new manufacture berdan stuff is non corrossive but cheap for several reasons. It is surplus, often for obsolete military calibers, it is often old (and hence corrossive), non reloadable (ahem, not EASILY reloadable) and often is sold by dirt poor nations who are happy to get rid of it. That being said, as the US army switched to mainly non corrosive primers before WW2, except for some match grade ammo, it is rare to find a corrosive boxer primer; but many foreign nations used the corrosive mix in their berdan primed stuff long into the 1980's. Even new Wolf ammo, supposedly non corrosive, is reported as having some corrosive effects. In short, unless it specifically says "non corrosive" and even then, be wary- it is probably old and corrosive.

"...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

Iconoclast

The mechanical differences described above are accurate, but I must take issue with / correct a mistake in jonk's post.

The only non-corrosive primers used in US military ammunition until after the *Korean War* were in the .30 Carbine. All .30-06 & .45 ACP ammo made before that time, except for various development / experimental lots, is corrosive. I don't have the exact dates of changeover, but that is available from the NRA. Basically, if you assume anything with a headstamp of 1956 & earlier is corrosive primed, you will be safe.

jonk

Thanks Iconoclast. My mistake, you are correct. However, it is true that FA match ammo used corrosive stuff long into the non corrosive era due to better faster ignition or some such.

"...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