attempting to reload berdan primers

I like it. I've got a couple pounds of 7.62x39 brass that is Berdan primed. I've popped a few primers with the idea of reloading. I'd like to try handloading for .303 British as well. I tried a hydraulic method and decided it was a project for the outdoors and summer. Keep us updated please.

Keep us informed. I don't have many Berdan primed cases and most that I fired were steel cased 5.45x39 and 7.62x39. Some stayed at the range and some went into the trash, but I saved none...

BTW, I did a little research a few years ago on Berdan priming and I think they would be more efficient, giving better ignition, but much more difficult for reloading. From what I remember the two flash holed gave much better, more efficient ignition for various powder types. At the time I couldn't find any Berdan primers so my researching, potential experimenting stopped...

Can you remove the FP hit by putting the base on a flat solid surface first then move to a opening to remove? You would win in not having to mess with the primer cups and a punch. Just a thought.

Tell you what I'm doing since I love old milsurp junk.
I was at a show about 10 years ago, a seller had just shy of 3 bricks of berdan primers they were tryingto give away. Gave $20 for the lot, figured I would never use them, more of a backup plan if you will. In case something crazy happened, all the reloading supplies dried up, cheap milsurp ammo vanished, aka 2020.
I drill out the berdan primer, through the primer anvil, pry out the berdan primer, anneal the neck and shoulder, size, wash, wet pin tumble, then install a berdan primer with a large boxer anvil. Will take a little trial and error to get the primer seat death right.
That way when I fire them again just size and deprime like normal boxer cases. If it's got a military head stamp and shines like commercial brass, then I know it's berdan boxer hybrid.
I anneal for longevity as some of the cases split at the neck and shoulder on the first firing.
I have also had to do this on some boxer primed milsurp brass that had a tiny 1mm flash hole.

For your reading. I tried re-loading 7.62x54R once. It wasn't worth the effort in my opinion. I found this article a few years later. Still not worth the effort in my mind unless in dire circumstances.

It can be done. I've done the hydraulic primer removal in m67 7.62x39 brass cases. And then used 5 Super bang brand ring cap disc's soaked in acetone to reload them after punching the dent out. I've done the same with prime all with acetone as well. Just have to let them dry out over night before reloading and firing. Both process work just fine but are corrosive. Which really isnt a issue since I am used to surp corrosive ammo.. I don't do it on a regular basis... But be damned sure I keep my spent m67 and even steel cases if I need to do it on a regular basis.....

The cheap milsurp ammo they couldn't move is now scare and costs as much as hunting ammo did 2 years ago if you can find it.
I would say it's pretty dire.