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9/12/2010 11:34:46 AM EDT
Im looking to soon reload some 7.62X39 brass for my AR.
I cant seem to find any berdan primers.....anywhere.
Does anyone know where I can get them?
I tried looking at the tutorials but for some reason the 7.62X39 threads give me a load error.


Thanks!
9/12/2010 11:48:08 AM EDT
[#1]
Graf & Sons got in a shipment of Tula Berdan primers maybe about a month ago but they sold out fast.  It took them what seems like a year to get the first lot imported so who knows when the next batch might come in.
9/12/2010 11:56:19 AM EDT
[#2]
They seem to be out at the moment, but Powder Valley does now carry Tula Berdan primers.  

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/
9/12/2010 1:20:18 PM EDT
[#3]
You'll need  a special decapping tool also as berdan cases have 2 offset flash holes.
9/12/2010 3:07:58 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
You'll need  a special decapping tool also as berdan cases have 2 offset flash holes.


Yeah I was just looking to pick one up.
Do I need a special tool to put the primers in? Or is a standard boxer tool ok?
9/12/2010 3:20:19 PM EDT
[#5]



Quoted:



Quoted:

You'll need  a special decapping tool also as berdan cases have 2 offset flash holes.




Yeah I was just looking to pick one up.

Do I need a special tool to put the primers in? Or is a standard boxer tool ok?


You could use something like a LEE priming tool, but you'd have to open up the primer pocket on it because Berdans are bigger than Boxers.  



This'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know.

http://surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/berdanreloading/index.asp



 
9/12/2010 5:33:58 PM EDT
[#6]
About the only other thing you'll need to buy is a berdan indexer it line the primer up with the two flash holes.




 
9/12/2010 6:02:54 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
About the only other thing you'll need to buy is a berdan indexer it line the primer up with the two flash holes.
 


Huh?  Line what up.  The whole point behind Berdan primers is that they are simple and cheap - a cup with priming compound.  The anvil is on the cartridge.
9/12/2010 6:49:32 PM EDT
[#8]

I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.



You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.
Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.

Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.

When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.
Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.


I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.




Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.
Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.
9/12/2010 7:10:23 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Cases/P9050546.jpg
I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260119-1.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260120.jpg
You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.
Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.

Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.

When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.
Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Dies/PC130325.jpg
I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.


http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120551.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120552.jpg
Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.
Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.


Very nice!
9/12/2010 7:25:05 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
About the only other thing you'll need to buy is a berdan indexer it line the primer up with the two flash holes.
 


Huh?  Line what up.  The whole point behind Berdan primers is that they are simple and cheap - a cup with priming compound.  The anvil is on the cartridge.


You have it bass ackwards.

9/12/2010 8:12:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Morning_Wood has been loading Berdan 308 cases for awhile.

I think he may be kidding.
9/12/2010 8:41:15 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Cases/P9050546.jpg
I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260119-1.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260120.jpg
You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.
Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.

Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.

When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.
Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Dies/PC130325.jpg
I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.


http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120551.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120552.jpg
Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.
Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.


Thanks for sharing!
Im still confused on how you will insert a primer if standard tools dont fit?

Also I assume that once the primer is set in, then the rest of the reloading process is the same as any other ammo?
Looking forward to your writeup!
9/13/2010 3:23:41 AM EDT
[#13]







Quoted:
Quoted:



http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Cases/P9050546.jpg



I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260119-1.jpg



http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260120.jpg



You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.



Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.
Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.
When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.



Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Dies/PC130325.jpg



I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120551.jpg



http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120552.jpg



Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.



Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.

Thanks for sharing!



Im still confused on how you will insert a primer if standard tools dont fit?
Also I assume that once the primer is set in, then the rest of the reloading process is the same as any other ammo?



Looking forward to your writeup!
Alright, now that I've had my fun,
The standard hand priming tools should work. I use both Hornady hand priming and a Lee hand priming tools. Both accommodate LR berdan primers without modification. I did have to open up the cup on my RCBS priming system that is made onto, and as part of, the Rock Chucker press, the "on press" system has a name that escapes me....
The good news! A 7/32 drill is .2187. Use it, along with your head, and you should be able to modify anything that needs modifying to use berdan primers. But I think most common priming tools should work without modification.





Another note about berdan primers. They will seat deep. Too deep. You
need to be aware of how much pressure you are using seating berdan
primers or you will really dunk them. The best way to prevent this is to fashion a positive stop on the hand primer body. I drilled and tapped my hornady tool for an 8-32 hex screw and solved this problem. It works so well  that I think Hornady should it do this at the factory. It perfectly controls the seating depth of both boxer and berdan primers.





Yes, once the primer is seated, then the rest of the reloading operation is the same as boxer.
 
9/13/2010 5:41:36 AM EDT
[#14]
I've been using berdan primers (RWS) for more than 12 years. The only too I use thats special is a nailset, clamp a bolt in a vice to hold the case, drive the nailset into the primer, pry primer out. I use a drilled out primer arm on my old RCBS A-1. will post pics later
9/13/2010 5:36:37 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Cases/P9050546.jpg
I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260119-1.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260120.jpg
You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.
Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.

Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.

When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.
Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Dies/PC130325.jpg
I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.


http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120551.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120552.jpg
Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.
Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.


Thanks for sharing!
I'm still confused on how you will insert a primer if standard tools don't fit?

Also I assume that once the primer is set in, then the rest of the reloading process is the same as any other ammo?
Looking forward to your writeup!
Alright, now that I've had my fun,

The standard hand priming tools should work. I use both Hornady hand priming and a Lee hand priming tools. Both accommodate LR Berdan primers without modification. I did have to open up the cup on my RCBS priming system that is made onto, and as part of, the Rock Chucker press, the "on press" system has a name that escapes me....

The good news! A 7/32 drill is .2187. Use it, along with your head, and you should be able to modify anything that needs modifying to use Berdan primers. But I think most common priming tools should work without modification.

Another note about Berdan primers. They will seat deep. Too deep. You need to be aware of how much pressure you are using seating Berdan primers or you will really dunk them. The best way to prevent this is to fashion a positive stop on the hand primer body. I drilled and tapped my Hornady tool for an 8-32 hex screw and solved this problem. It works so well  that I think Hornady should it do this at the factory. It perfectly controls the seating depth of both boxer and Berdan primers.

Yes, once the primer is seated, then the rest of the reloading operation is the same as boxer.

 


I have modified my RCBS hand primer to work with Berdan primers. Had to make the primer channel slightly wider. The black plastic 2 piece part.

Thanks for the Berdan seating info.
9/13/2010 7:22:03 PM EDT
[#16]
I talked to a guy at powder valley, he said they will be getting in more tula in a few weeks.
He said the shipment went alot faster then they ever anticipated.
9/13/2010 8:02:37 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
I talked to a guy at powder valley, he said they will be getting in more Tula in a few weeks.
He said the shipment went a lot faster then they ever anticipated.


Because guys like me always wanted to try loading Berdan cases and never could get any primers.

Add to that the recent primer / component shortage, and people like moar options.

Just the brass 'ho in me, I couldn't toss all of my free once fired Berdan cases in the recycle bucket.
9/14/2010 1:15:56 AM EDT
[#18]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:


Quoted:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Cases/P9050546.jpg

I am in the process of loading my Berdan primed 7.62 x 39 cases.



http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260119-1.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Tools/PA260120.jpg

You need one of these to decap primers. About $50 from RCBS.

Takes a bit of adjustment on the pin to not deform the anvil when you decap.



Standard priming tools are too small in diameter for Berdan primers.



When I get all the problems worked out, I will post a thread.

Right now I am waiting for a die set I can remove the decapping pin on the FL sizer.



http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Dies/PC130325.jpg

I don't want to remove the decapping pin on my Lee FL sizing dies.





http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120551.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Reloading%20AK%20ammo/P9120552.jpg

Today I was working on my Boxer primed cast bullet loads.

Bullet is from a Lee mold, 155 gr 2R, with gas check. Cases need a little wipe to remove a small amount of lube before crimping.




Thanks for sharing!

I'm still confused on how you will insert a primer if standard tools don't fit?



Also I assume that once the primer is set in, then the rest of the reloading process is the same as any other ammo?

Looking forward to your writeup!
Alright, now that I've had my fun,



The standard hand priming tools should work. I use both Hornady hand priming and a Lee hand priming tools. Both accommodate LR Berdan primers without modification. I did have to open up the cup on my RCBS priming system that is made onto, and as part of, the Rock Chucker press, the "on press" system has a name that escapes me....



The good news! A 7/32 drill is .2187. Use it, along with your head, and you should be able to modify anything that needs modifying to use Berdan primers. But I think most common priming tools should work without modification.



Another note about Berdan primers. They will seat deep. Too deep. You need to be aware of how much pressure you are using seating Berdan primers or you will really dunk them. The best way to prevent this is to fashion a positive stop on the hand primer body. I drilled and tapped my Hornady tool for an 8-32 hex screw and solved this problem. It works so well  that I think Hornady should it do this at the factory. It perfectly controls the seating depth of both boxer and Berdan primers.



Yes, once the primer is seated, then the rest of the reloading operation is the same as boxer.



 




I have modified my RCBS hand primer to work with Berdan primers. Had to make the primer channel slightly wider. The black plastic 2 piece part.



Thanks for the Berdan seating info.


I don't have the RCBS tool, so since you had to mod it, I suppose it's slightly more snug that the ones I use. The Hornady and especially Lee tools were just big enough.



Reloading berdan is actually easy, but there are a few tips and tricks on the finer points I can share, so if anyone hits a snag, let me know. But most of the tricks, you will all figure out for yourselves in about the first 500 rounds.



 
9/15/2010 7:36:28 PM EDT
[#19]
wow, this is awesome, i have 1000's 308 brass... i almost scrapped all of it.
9/15/2010 9:08:27 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
<snip>...I couldn't toss all of my free once fired Berdan cases in the recycle bucket.


Ain't that the truth. I didn't know why I was saving all that Berdan 7.62 by 51 and 7.62 by 39. Now I know. Berdan primers are becoming available.

jonblack

9/16/2010 1:59:10 PM EDT
[#21]
are these primers caliber specific ?
9/16/2010 2:22:40 PM EDT
[#22]
When you could get RWS berdan primers from old west Scrounger they had one for general use and one for 7.62 x 51 as some NATO cases had shallower primer pockets an needed a "shorter primer"
9/16/2010 8:32:58 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
are these primers caliber specific ?


The Tula primers in the pic all fit these Berdan cases I had on hand, 7.62 x 39, 308, 30-06, 6.5 x 55 Swedish, and of course didn't fit the 223 Berdan cases.
9/30/2010 3:14:05 PM EDT
[#24]
Are these Tula berdan primers .217 in diameter??   If so, they should also work in that great Swiss GP11 berdan 7.5x55 brass.  I have some old PMC berdan primers I have been hoarding for the Swiss.  I primed the Swiss cases with my RCBS hand priming tool loading the primers one at a time.  Easily done.  I also have several hundred rounds of brass cased 7.62x39 that is so nice and looks like it would be great to reload but for the berdan primer issue.  Great to see another line of berdan primers in country.
10/4/2010 6:24:47 PM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:
Are these Tula berdan primers .217 in diameter??   If so, they should also work in that great Swiss GP11 berdan 7.5x55 brass.  I have some old PMC berdan primers I have been hoarding for the Swiss.  I primed the Swiss cases with my RCBS hand priming tool loading the primers one at a time.  Easily done.  I also have several hundred rounds of brass cased 7.62x39 that is so nice and looks like it would be great to reload but for the berdan primer issue.  Great to see another line of berdan primers in country.


The ones in my pic were .217, and from Powder Valley.

eta, for my thread on loading 7.62x39 Berdan cases, click Here.

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