Originally Posted by
Larry Gibson
cast367
Please reread my method. I convert the Larger berdan primer to a smal rifle primer. The technique allows the outer part of the berdan primer to stay in the primer pocket as a bushing so the small rifle primer is a perfect fit. I have tested my converted cases now with 5 firings of my standard cast bullet load and a firing with a full service equivelent load. If done correctly there is no gas leakage.. I did have one case that consitently gave some gas leakage. On close examination with a magnifier I discovered I had hand drilled, with the #18 drill, off center and one of the berdan flash holes was over laping the edge of the SR primer. That case was discarded after the discovered gas leakage. That is a 5% loss rate which is probably acceptable considering I would have thrown the cases away in the 1st place. With the use of a drill with milling table I expect much lees loss rate during conversion. As stated the remaining 19 cases are alive, well and reloaded awaiting their next firing.
Berdan primers are not readily available in this country as are boxer primers. You live in Europe and I imagine they are readily available there? Besides, it is a real pain to deprime berdan primed cases as it is a slow process compared to depriming boxer primers. Additionally the anvils in the case many times get battered within a few firings by the firing pin blow (I have loaded with berdan primers before). With boxer primers a new anvil is used every time with the new primer and the problem is non exhistant.
Larry Gibson