Boxer vs. Berdan primed

[Martyk]

Trying out pic attachment, if it works, here is a good pic on a cut away case showing Boxer primed on left vs. Berdan primed on the right. FYI in case anyone was curious.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Thanks for the pics.

 

[jpwilly]

Yes, want to know something interesting? The Berdan primer was invented in the US and the Boxer primer was invented in Europe. We adapted the Boxer Primer and they the Berdan primer - Weird!

 

[elmerfudd]

I understand the Berdan primer is technically a better primer, (assuming you're not going to reload). Those two smaller holes supposedly result in faster and more reliable ignition.

I also understand that any advantage it had was mostly theoretical and given the state of modern primers is today practically nonexistent.

 

[Martyk]

From what I've read and learned, it doesn't make and difference (these days), you're correct.

 

[gandog56]

It makes a difference today if you are scrounging other people's brass for reloading purposes. I hate replacing broken decapping pins on my die.

 

[Jim Watson]

Most commercial ammunition these days has Boxer primers - what Norma used to call "anvil primers" back when they started headstamping their brass "Re" to show it was Boxer primed and thus easier to reload. The main exception is cheap blasting ammo made in military facilities by our friends who used to be our enemies.

Once upon a time, Hatcher's Notebook described early noncorrosive primers that required a Berdan primer because the mix was not very "hot" and the Berdan cup held more of it.

 

[benzy2]

With enough berdan primed ammo out there I really enjoy setting up a lee sizing die to just decap since the pin will slide instead of snap.