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Berdan Primers

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16 May 2006, 09:25
Frank Martinez
Berdan Primers
So do most of you with experience use modern primers or have you been true to Berdan primers when reloading the large case doubles. I am curious as a friend of mine is using Berdan primers for his big doubles and I am curious as to how this works for others.
Thanks,
Frank
16 May 2006, 19:25
400 Nitro Express
Frank:

I did so back when decent new boxer primed cases were very hard to find. It works fine. The RWS caps are not as hot as Federal 215s and I need a couple grains more RL 15 with them to match same load with Fed 215s in my .400. I probably wouldn't mess with it today.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
17 May 2006, 11:09
Frank Martinez
Thanks for the note. I have some older brass and thought I would give it a go just for fun.
How about the CCI primers or Shotgun primers. Any experiences there?
Frank
17 May 2006, 19:32
400 Nitro Express
Frank:

No, I've only used RWS Berdan caps. I wouldn't attempt to convert to the shotgun type primer. Too much pressure in the full nitros for that.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
18 May 2006, 07:50
Frank Martinez
Thanks for the help. I guess it will be best to buy new brass.
Frank
18 May 2006, 19:49
butchloc
i used to use berdan primers in an old 450 3 1/4 and it really was no big deal at all. I've still got a bunch of the primers left, but the 450 is long gone & all my stuff now is for boxer. if you need some berdan let me know
19 May 2006, 07:16
Frank Martinez
Thank you for the offer. I had read that the fire from a Berdan was hotter than even the Federal mag. primer and wanted to try for myself.
I bought a bunch of Bell brass so I will stay with that for now and see if I can get some consistence first and experiment later.
Frank