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Re-priming Berdan cases

redfoxtooredfoxtoo Member Posts: 51 ✭✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
A couple of years ago I saw an ad for having your Berdan cases re-primed . I tried writing them but no luck. Does anyone haveany info?
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Comments

  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The problem with berdan priming is getting the spent primer out. RCBS used to make a depriming tool for berdan primers. Once you get the old primer out you can reprime with berdan primers from Old Western Scrounger. As for someone depriming and repriming your fired cases I don't think it would be cost effective as a service.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Redfox: woodsrunner is correct. Tool is basically a sharp pick which hooks onto the rim of the case and one then uses the sharp point to pierce the fired primer & lever it out of the pocket. PITA, but it works, usually. Primers are relatively expensive, but when one is talking about exotic European calibers at $5-$30 each retail, the cost savings for reloading the rounds can be far greater than one realizes w/ the average commercial US item. If you're thinking in terms of doing this for something where boxer brass is available, even at a big premium, IMHO it isn't worth the hassle. Good luck.
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  • john carrjohn carr Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the above. It's a lot of work de-capping this brass. Another method which was recommended in American Rifleman magazines some years ago was the hydraulic method. You use a piece of hardwood, drill a hole thru it slightly larger than the primer pocket. Place the brass over this hole, head down, take a short length of dowel which will just enter the brass. Fill the case with water, put the dowel in the brass and rap sharply with a mallet. The article said this would work. I haven't tried it. But a lot of work.
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  • AdamsQuailHunterAdamsQuailHunter Member Posts: 2,022 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Efemes Power-Punch, from Efemes Enterprises, Bay Shore, New York, (company no longer around to my knowledge) used a boxer primer to backout a berdan primer.You might be able to find one with the Old Western Scrounger, or keep putting a "Want Ad" on this site.
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  • 32wsl32wsl Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    go to www.huntingtons.com and then click on 'priming accessories' to order your item.
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  • TaiChiTaiChi Member Posts: 179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    john carr's response about the hydraulic method does work. I used it to deprime Berdan primed 50 cal. cases. It is messy but works slick. Instead of a wood dowel for the ram (tends to swell) use plastic or aluminum.
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  • modocmodoc Member Posts: 474 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know what you are depriming but a sharp punch is all that is required to remove the Berdan primers.The cups are very soft.Just start it in at an angle and then pry it out with punch on the edge of the pocket.If you are working with shotgun shells I have a set of handles that has a deprime blade included in the set.They were made by Remington and are not cheap.Perfect condition. modoc
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