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primers: boxer vs berdan
- Thread starter howardw
- Start date
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI
New member
I'm no expert, but I believe Boxer primed means the brass is reloadable. Berdan primed means it's not reloadable.
-Ooops! I see DaveR beat me to it.
-Ooops! I see DaveR beat me to it.
The boxer primer, which was invented in Europe, is the most common priming type in America. You can look into an empty casing and see the single round flash hole that denotes the boxer system. Boxer primed ammo is (mostly) easily reloadable.
The Berdan primer, which was invented in America, is the most common priming system in Europe(Although the boxer sys. is being adopted by many ammo makers over there). You can look into a fired case and see the two tiny flash holes that are characteristic of the berdan system. Berdan primed ammo can be reloaded but it's a PITA to do so. Mostly the only people that bother are those who have exotic/old/rare weapons that they have berdan brass for and boxer brass isn't available or is very expensive.
Don in Ohio
The Berdan primer, which was invented in America, is the most common priming system in Europe(Although the boxer sys. is being adopted by many ammo makers over there). You can look into a fired case and see the two tiny flash holes that are characteristic of the berdan system. Berdan primed ammo can be reloaded but it's a PITA to do so. Mostly the only people that bother are those who have exotic/old/rare weapons that they have berdan brass for and boxer brass isn't available or is very expensive.
Don in Ohio
Boxer primed ammo was developed in Europe but is used primarily in the United States. The anvil is part of the primer and the cartridge case has one central flash hole. Berdan primers were developed in the United States but are used primarily in Europe. The anvil is art of the cartridge case and there are usually two offset flash holes. Although berdan primed brass can be reloaded, reloading requires special equipment and primers not readily available in this country.
I’ve always thought the transposition of the Berdan and Boxer primer system in the US and Europe interesting. As I understand it, the Berdan system was easier and more efficient to mass-produce and therefore found its way to European factories. The Boxer system allows for easier reloading and therefore caters to American shooting enthusiasts. I suppose that because many European nations do not recognize the God-give right for individuals to bear arms, there is not nearly the demand to cater to the shooting enthusiast in Europe as there is in the United States.
9mmepiphany
New member
its a cultural thing
you're right either should shoot just fine in your guns. i'm more than willing to shoot berdan primed suplus (mostly 7.62x51mm south african) and toss the shells in exchange for the lower purchase price.
there is not much reloading in europe, so i've been told, the common practice is to exchange fired cases for reloaded factory ammo.
you're right either should shoot just fine in your guns. i'm more than willing to shoot berdan primed suplus (mostly 7.62x51mm south african) and toss the shells in exchange for the lower purchase price.
there is not much reloading in europe, so i've been told, the common practice is to exchange fired cases for reloaded factory ammo.
Beware the Berdan...
Older surplus ammo using the Berdan primer can have mercuric salts which promotes rust. Since modern cleaners don't ensure that the salts will be removed, use WW II GI bore cleaner or hot soapy water to remove the salt deposits.
BTW, Berdans can be reloaded but you need a special deprimer (claw type feature). A simpler but messy way to reload Berdans (if you can get the primers) is to use a dowel rod which has been turned to fit the case. You place the case on an anvil (or workblock with a hole drilled out in the bottom) and fill the case with water. Insert the dowel rod and strike with hammer. The water pressure will drive out the spent primer. Of course, the water goes everywhere, so do this outside.
Older surplus ammo using the Berdan primer can have mercuric salts which promotes rust. Since modern cleaners don't ensure that the salts will be removed, use WW II GI bore cleaner or hot soapy water to remove the salt deposits.
BTW, Berdans can be reloaded but you need a special deprimer (claw type feature). A simpler but messy way to reload Berdans (if you can get the primers) is to use a dowel rod which has been turned to fit the case. You place the case on an anvil (or workblock with a hole drilled out in the bottom) and fill the case with water. Insert the dowel rod and strike with hammer. The water pressure will drive out the spent primer. Of course, the water goes everywhere, so do this outside.