[Moparmike]

I am considering getting an 8mm Mauser, and all the old milsurp ammo is brass, but Berdan and not Box-something. Is there a way to re-load with berdan, or will I have to resort to convaluded drilling and stuff?

BTW, I dont handload, but if I were to get this ammo and gun (ammo $71/1000, possibly less) I would definitely be considering doing so.

Thanks,

[Quantrill]

Berdan primed cases can be reloaded. I have done it with 9mm Luger ammo. It is APITA. There are a couple of ways it can be done. George Nonte's book, "Modern Reloading" describes one way. Quantrill

[Jim Watson]

It can be done, I have loaded Kynoch .450 Express with Berdan primers before Boxer primed brass was available. It is a tedious chore that I would reserve for something otherwise not shootable. It is also extra work that would make learning how to reload more complicated.

If you can get 8mm for $71/M it is not worth considering; you cannot reload rifle ammo for that even if you don't value your time at all. You can't just walk into any sporting goods store and buy Berdan primers, they are $8.20 per 250 from Old Western Scrounger = $33.80/M. Adding bullets and powder puts the product to about $200/M.

And that assumes they are the right size Berdan primers, there are more different types than you see in Boxer primers. You might not be able to get the right size primer for Slobbovian surplus brass at all.

Better to buy some new Boxer brass and start from scratch. It would not be saving you any money but it would be better quality ammo than typical surplus and the equipment and knowhow would come in handy when you got a commercial caliber rifle that did not have cheap surplus ammo.

[only1asterisk]

What Jim said!
I have done it, but there is little reason anymore. Even if I had a 9.3x65R or something like it, I'd make the brass from some other case rather than F around with Berdan primers.


David

[bogie]

ammo $71/1000, possibly less

Other folks have said it - Buy your plinkin' ammo on the cheap. If you want a few hunting rounds, buy some U.S. made "premium" ammo.

[Okiecruffler]

"Other folks have said it - Buy your plinkin' ammo on the cheap. If you want a few hunting rounds, buy some U.S. made "premium" ammo."

Unless it's 8mm. Buy good european hunting ammo. The US made stuff is WAY below the potential of the round. Damned litagation lawyers.:cuss: