Berdan Primers, Flash Holes, Powder Burn Rates, etc?

[kcofohio]

First a thanks to mstreddy and Bugster for the 8mm Berdan primer brass!

I now have an assortment of brass (deprimed) from the '40s to the '70s. I will be loading some 190 gr. gas checked lead with IMR 4198 and some 170 gr. jacketed RN using IMR 4350.

Visually inspecting the brass, some of the flash holes look considerably smaller. I think the NNY brass has flash holes measuring about .038" (just under 1mm). Using a paperclip that measures .031", I can't fit it in several of the holes.

I don't think it should be a problem with the faster burning 4198. But can anyone see it being a problem with the slower burning 4350?

The berdan primers are from Tula KV7.62N.

Thanks!

kc

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Is the NNY brass is boxer primed? I use the same primers for Berdan Swiss 7.5X55 brass and have not had any problems using them with Varget powder. I take a fine point dental tool and clean out the primer holes prior to loading but it probably isn't necessary. Sorry I don't have an 8mm. Just make sure you seat the primers to the bottom of the primer pocket or you may have to strike them twice to get them to fire. I used one of the RCBS hand primers with a number 2 shellholder and for some reason the rod wasn't long enough to seat the primers to the bottom of the pocket. I switched to the RCBS Rockchucker for seating the primers and have had no more problems. Hope this helps.

 

[kcofohio]

parker51, thanks for the pick idea! The NNY brass is Berdan also. I have a Lee hand primer, will see how it does. The primers fit in the cup. Not sure if they fit in the priming arm of the LCT.

Not only do the flash holes vary, but also the size of the anvils. One good thing is the Mauserof mine strikes the primer close to center. I will separate by head stamp and go from there. Again, thank you!

 

[kcofohio]

parker51, I did the dental pick idea of yours. It is probably a good thing too. I found a few cases that had one flash hole almost closed off. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Hondo 60]

Silly question: How do you deprime berdan brass?

I've had 1 or 2 & broke out the center of the brass.
But I wouldn't reload it with that extra big hole in the center.
(It wouldn't set off the primer if the center is broken out)

 

[kcofohio]

Silly question: How do you deprime berdan brass?

I've had 1 or 2 & broke out the center of the brass.
But I wouldn't reload it with that extra big hole in the center.
(It wouldn't set off the primer if the center is broken out)

Not a silly question. Hydraulics.

Thanks to parker51 for the pictures so that I could make this one up.

You fill the case with water, place the case in the hole, using a rod that just fits the case mouth, whack it with a hammer, wallah, the primer should come out the bottom hole.

 

[Hondo 60]

OK - thanks for the explanation.