Berdan priming

[Dravur]

Just out of weird curiosity, why is quite a bit of the mil ammo Berdan primed? Is there an advantage to Berdan Priming vs Boxer?

I did a search but could not find any answer to this.

 

[highorder]

Berdan priming is a simpler system to manufacture, and therefore cheaper.

The self-contained anvil in a boxer primer requires more complicated processes to make.

 

[Shoney]

Berdan Primer - A primer containing no internal anvil. In the Berdan system, the anvil is an integral part of the cartridge case, formed by a conical projection rising from the floor of the primer pocket, and flanked by ( normally ) twin flash holes. Berdan cases are not convenient for reloading, as depriming requires special equipment and is time-consuming. Some claim this to be more accurate, since the twin flash holes ensure more even ignition of the powder.

Boxer Primer - Primer with a 3-legged internal anvil, permitting use of a single, central flash hole in the case head. Such cases can be conveniently deprimed by means of the decapping pin in standard reloading dies.

Interestingly enough, Berdan priming was developed in the US and used almost exclusively in Europe. Boxer priming was developed in Europe and is the only priming system used in the US

 

[Larry E]

All American, and I believe that most Canadian, military ammunition is Boxer primed, but Berdan priming is commonly used in European ammunition both military and commercial. Yesterday I picked up a 5.56x45 case headstamped RORG (Royal Ordnance Radford Green?) which was Boxer primed, and have some Guatemalan 5.56x45 cases that have Boxer primer pockets.

 

[dmftoy1]

I just wish someone would start selling Berdan primers in the US again. (I've got a box full of SA .308 empties that are just waiting on me)

 

[Afy]

Ok this might be stupid... but I have to ask...

Cant you use the Black powder primers with bedran pockets?

Though I think the softness of the BP primers might be an issue, and the ammo might be corrosive.

 

[rcmodel]

Black powder primers?

Maybe where you live, but in the U.S.A. we use the same exact primers in black-power loads as we use in smokeless loads.

Besides, if the primer is a Boxer type, with a built-in anvil, it simply will not work in a Berdan case with a built-in anvil.
Not even to mention they are usually completely different sizes.

rcmodel

 

[Afy]

The CCI #11 are from the US... I use them routinely in the cap and ball revolvers... they do not have the anvil.

Not BP cartridge primers...

 

[David Wile]

Hey Afy,

I think you are talking about percussion caps for cap and ball revolvers etc. You are correct that they do not have an anvil, but they fit on a nipple which then acts as an anvil when the hammer strike the cap sitting on the nipple. I have no idea if they would fit and/or work in a Berdan primed case, but I know they were not designed for Berdan cases. Actually, such percussion caps were designed probably more than fifty years before Berdan cases.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[rcmodel]

Well, #11 percussian caps will not fit in a primer pocket of any brass case I know of.

And if it did, it would blow up in your face the first time you got one to go off.

They are very thin & soft, and usually split or fragment when fired on a black-powder nipple.

rcmodel