Twmaster
Member
I have about 125 Yugo surplus berdan primed fired cases. I really hated to see this nice brass get wasted.
No worries about 8x57 brass now!
Simple procedure when you have the tools.
Tools:
Primer Pocket Swager. (RCBS or Dillon) (I have the RCBS tool)
3/8" ball bearing.
BFH (Big Freaking Hammer, I used a 2 pound ball peen)
or
Strong press
Pointy punch
Dies
Loading press
.080-.090" drill bit
5/16" long shank punch or drill rod
Procedure:
Use very pointy punch to pierce fired berdan primer. Lever primer out of pocket once pierced.
Place ball bearing on a hard surface. Preferably with a divot to hold bearing from running away.
Place case with the primer pocket centered on the ball. Place the 5/16 punch or rod into the case till it bottoms.
Take BFH and whack rod as hard as you can multiple times. The idea is to collapse the rim around the pocket. The large rifle Berdan primers are .217" The standard Boxer large rifle is .210" in size. Only need to take up 7 thousandths of an inch.
Take that pointy punch and feel for a lip at the opening of the primer pocket. This is the brass that will be swaged back to form the correct size pocket.
Once you are satisfied with the lip run the case through your pocket swage tool. It should be on the tip of
the tool tightly when done pressing. You may have to keep adjusting your tool until it bottoms in the pocket.
Drill out center of the pocket for flash/decapping hole. Don't worry about the two little holes left in the pocket.
Resize the case per normal operation.
Check case for length, Trim if needed, deburr mouth of case.
Seat new primer. It should go in snugly just like a normal boxer primed case. If not carefully push the primer out and beat on the pocket some more. Repeat above steps if needed.
Done. Load it. Shoot it.
No worries about 8x57 brass now!
Simple procedure when you have the tools.
Tools:
Primer Pocket Swager. (RCBS or Dillon) (I have the RCBS tool)
3/8" ball bearing.
BFH (Big Freaking Hammer, I used a 2 pound ball peen)
or
Strong press
Pointy punch
Dies
Loading press
.080-.090" drill bit
5/16" long shank punch or drill rod
Procedure:
Use very pointy punch to pierce fired berdan primer. Lever primer out of pocket once pierced.
Place ball bearing on a hard surface. Preferably with a divot to hold bearing from running away.
Place case with the primer pocket centered on the ball. Place the 5/16 punch or rod into the case till it bottoms.
Take BFH and whack rod as hard as you can multiple times. The idea is to collapse the rim around the pocket. The large rifle Berdan primers are .217" The standard Boxer large rifle is .210" in size. Only need to take up 7 thousandths of an inch.
Take that pointy punch and feel for a lip at the opening of the primer pocket. This is the brass that will be swaged back to form the correct size pocket.
Once you are satisfied with the lip run the case through your pocket swage tool. It should be on the tip of
the tool tightly when done pressing. You may have to keep adjusting your tool until it bottoms in the pocket.
Drill out center of the pocket for flash/decapping hole. Don't worry about the two little holes left in the pocket.
Resize the case per normal operation.
Check case for length, Trim if needed, deburr mouth of case.
Seat new primer. It should go in snugly just like a normal boxer primed case. If not carefully push the primer out and beat on the pocket some more. Repeat above steps if needed.
Done. Load it. Shoot it.