I am interested in converting Berdan primed cases to boxer. I have watched several YouTube videos on the topic. Have any THR members performed a conversion? How did you go about it?
On a related note, does anyone know if there are any U.S. retailers that sell Berdan primers? I only saw some Berdan primers pop up a few years ago on Powder Valley's websites, but haven't seen any since.
Thanks.
Yes, I have converted about 50 or 100. Can't remember the total off hand. But I have access to a lathe and arbor press. It is tedious work and has a learning curve of how much of the anvil to cut out, which ball size to press with, and resizing of pocket.
The cases were NNY, now PPU, '79. Good quality brass. Hate to throw it out.
I was able to score a brick of Berdan from Powder Valley just before the import ban of Russian stuff.
Either way, Berdan, or converting, is a pain. Thankfully I only do it with the 8mm Mauser. But every hobby has its' pain.
Edit: I reread your post. You asked how it went.
After scrapping out a few cases, not too shabby.
You have to leave just enough of the anvil to fill the bottom of the primer pocket. I believe, but not totally sure, that I used a 7/16" ball to press the primer pocket opening. Too big and you will have too large a chamfer . Too small and the pocket will open more. Resizing pocket take a considerable amount of pressure. I made a fixture to ensure I didn't deepen the pocket too much. Just right of the above and you shouldn't see the berdan flash holes. Did I mention about tedious?
I have fired all of the cases at least once, and some twice. No failures of any sort.