Looking for some Berdan primed 9mm brass

[brstevns]

Was thinking of trying some simple bullet swageing making some .375 bullets from them for a 38-55. I hate to use good boxer primed brass. Does anyone have any of the old berdan primed stuff for cheap?

[farmerjim]

Why? There is good boxer primed brass for sale on here going at scrap brass prices.

[NavyVet1959]

I bought some unsorted range brass yesterday from a local indoor range ($1.25 per lb) and processed 10 lbs of it last night. At that particular range, I noticed about 21% of the 9mm was steel. I didn't look at the flash holes in all of them, but the couple of them that I checked appear to be Berdan primed.

[RogerDat]

Yeah 9mm and 40 S&W is worth about scrap brass value. Stuff is like the cockroach of the range brass world.

[NavyVet1959]

Yeah 9mm and 40 S&W is worth about scrap brass value. Stuff is like the cockroach of the range brass world.

Here's the result of the first 10 lbs of unsorted range brass that I got from the indoor range yesterday.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?320642-Sorting-Brass-Results

It's a small sample size in that it's only 10 lbs, but it seems to indicate that not many people are shooting .45ACP at that particular range.

[brstevns]

Can't use steel cases anyway. just thought swageing would be a good use for the old military berdan brass. Years back I used a lot of the old Egyptian ammo that had brass cases and just let it lie.

[NavyVet1959]

Can't use steel cases anyway. just thought swageing would be a good use for the old military berdan brass. Years back I used a lot of the old Egyptian ammo that had brass cases and just let it lie.

I've actually reloaded some of the Boxer primed steel cartridges just to see if it was possible and to know that I *could* do it if supplies ever became really scarce.

I suspect swagging steel would be a "whole 'nother' level" for the swagging endeavor. Tungsten dies with the steel cases heated until red hot? :)

[brstevns]

I use to load all the steel 45 acp cases and 30 cal carbine cases. I never had any problems. Just make sure they are good and clean so as not to scratch your dies. Still convert berdan primed steel 308 cases to boxer for cast bullet shooting. Sold the carbine many years ago.

[rancher1913]

I have got some 9mm with bad primer pockets, if they will work just pm me your address and I will have georgeonedollar pick them up for you.

[brstevns]

I have got some 9mm with bad primer pockets, if they will work just pm me your address and I will have georgeonedollar pick them up for you. Thanks that will work, just hate the thought of using good brass, even if it is just 9mm

[NavyVet1959]

Will the aluminum cartridges work for swagging?

[brstevns]

Will the aluminum cartridges work for swagging? Don't see why not?? This is a learning thing for me, just simple swageing.

[CraigOK]

there was a thread on paper patching with aluminum foil/foil tape and it was mentioned that aluminum oxide could form on the outside and you'd be sending something abrasive down the tube. Might not apply to the aluminum cases, I don't know, but I'd rather chime in than have you find out later. Might check into that.

[NavyVet1959]

there was a thread on paper patching with aluminum foil/foil tape and it was mentioned that aluminum oxide could form on the outside and you'd be sending something abrasive down the tube. Might not apply to the aluminum cases, I don't know, but I'd rather chime in than have you find out later. Might check into that.

Weren't the Winchester "Silvertip" rounds an aluminum jacketed round?

[brstevns]

Weren't the Winchester "Silvertip" rounds an aluminum jacketed round? That is what I thought. Years back I fired a lot of there 180 gr Silver Open Mouth 44 cal bullets and never notice any damage.

[NavyVet1959]

That is what I thought. Years back I fired a lot of there 180 gr Silver Open Mouth 44 cal bullets and never notice any damage.

I guess "Silvertip" sounded better to the marketing folks than "SodaCantip". :)

[brstevns]

Here is a picture of a couple I made using reloading dies.181000
These are .357 cal and weigh 185 gr.

[rancher1913]

thats pretty cool. I have been using 380 brass to make 357mag, was having trouble getting the core right so I gave up for awhile, now I got a core mold I need to get back to it. what all steps did you do to get those.

[brstevns]

thats pretty cool. I have been using 380 brass to make 357mag, was having trouble getting the core right so I gave up for awhile, now I got a core mold I need to get back to it. what all steps did you do to get those. Anneal the 9mm brass using a small propane type torch, run the 9mm brass thru a .380 diameter sizer die base first. I used a 38 special sizing die to do this. Then annealed again. Ran these thru a 9mm roll crimp die. This got them down to a little over 363. Once again base first. Then run them thru a Lee .357 push thru bullet lub sizer. I then took some 130 lee 7mm cast bullet rejects and place them in the case and hit them with the torch again. This melted lead and anneal the brass once again. For the pointed bullet I ran these thru a 17 rem rcbs seating die , for the flat point a 22 jet sizer die. I then place the pointed bullet in a hand held drill and used a little 120 grit sand paper to bring the lead tip to a point , same for the flat point just to round off the edges. Then finale step, ran thru a lee 356 sizer die , with spring back they are coming out .3575
Plan on making up a .365 bullet sizer die from a old sizing die and use this for a step between the .380 and .357 die
Now to load a few and see how they shoot. This is for a 358 win my sister-in-law got for me.
Know one thing, those custom bullets, made by a few members are worth every cent just for the labor.

[brstevns]

Hope the information was of help.

[rancher1913]

yah except I don't have most of the dies you used. headed to town in a bit so should get your package out today.

[brstevns]

A few years back George gifted me with some old 22 jet dies and I already had a Lee 357 die. Made up a Bullet push thru die from a old 38 spec. die. Hand reamed from the top about 1/2 way down and beveled the bottom just a touch with a drill. Made a excellent .380 push thru die,if you do not have a 375 Lee type die. A 9mm rolled crimp die will also get you down to around .360 depending on the brand. The 17 rem seater die I found on Flea - Bay for 5.00. A 223 or 222 rem die would work just as will.