Berdan primers (looking for) - The Firearms Forum

bygred1 · 01-04-2008, 01:27 PM

I've got two Swiss K-31's and have accumulated a few hundred fired GP-11 berdan primed cases. I've had good luck depriming the cases hydraulicly. I'd like to reload these cases but I'm having trouble locating berdan primers. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase these primers. I tried Grafs & Sons. They said maybe in the near future. No luck with Midway either.
Thanks ----bygred1@comcast.net

Pistolenschutze · 01-04-2008, 01:48 PM

Berdans are becoming hard to get in the U.S, bygred. PMC (manufactured in Russia) used to import them, but that company went down the tubes in 2006. RWS still makes them, but no longer exports them to the U.S. Graffs was the only place I know of who handled them, but they seem to be having problems getting them as well. Wolf makes them, but apparently does not export them to the U.S. at present. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

bygred1 · 01-04-2008, 03:21 PM

Thanks for your reply. -Bygred1

conifer · 01-10-2008, 09:53 AM

I have some Berdan large rifle primers....but don't know how many (several hundred), I recall they were costly (sent from Germany to me), but dunno what I paid.....I use them in a 9.3x72R ....tho' rarely.....maybe can sell you some. Any thoughts on price???
Alex
aax1@bellsouth.net

Dakota Red 1 · 01-11-2008, 07:18 PM

Hi bygred, How is hydraulic depriming accomplished? Maybe if enough reloaders ask for berdan primers we will get them. I know I would give it a shot if decapping is practical.
from: the other Red 1

bygred1 · 01-18-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi, Dakota Red 1. I haven't been on line since just after posting. Sorry. Check out the following website. It shows you how to make your own hydraulic decaper. I get about 6 decapped in a minute, once I got the feel for it. My problem is that I haven't found a place to obtain the primers. For the price of ammo these days, I think it's worth it. Besides I'd rather be doing something productive, like reloading rather than wasting time watching too much tv. I find reloading good theropy while recovering from some recent surgery.

bygred1 · 01-18-2008, 01:37 PM

Dakota Red 1 --------Guess I forgot to include the link. The mind needs a little theropy also.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...ding/index.asp

Dakota Red 1 · 01-20-2008, 12:00 AM

Thanks for the info bygred1! It looks very interesting and do-able. I was delivered an order of GP-11 rounds this week and it would be a shame to have nothing but scrap brass after it is fired. It is finely crafted ammo.
I have emailed the Old Western Scrounger to let them know I'm a potential customer for Berdan primers. There is also a reloading supplier here in Kansas, Powder Valley Inc., who I have asked to look into getting them. If I have any luck I will let you kow.
I hope all is going well with your recovery, ---Mike
p.s.
Also emailed Midway USA. Surprised to see a reply this morning...they work Sundays. They will consider the request. I bet they are the best shot on this and if enough of us bug them, they will get us some.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductrequest.exe/request
1/23/2008 Got a positive response from Graf's, they are looking for some.

Oohrah · 08-12-2008, 03:24 PM

Your method to deprime is about the only way I know of to
remove the primer with out breaking the center post between the
two flash holes. However, these primers are larger in size so primer
arm punch for seating the new primer is undersized. Did some of
these many years ago using the old Lymon 310 nutcracker type
loader for the Brittish 303. To me, very time consuming and other
than if there were no other way, it wasn't worth just using once fired
or new USA brass.

gandog56 · 08-13-2008, 04:07 PM

I gave up trying to find Berdan primers in the US. I sent a few emails to foreign manufacturers, but never got any replies.

01-04-2008, 01:27 PM	#1
bygred1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Berdan primers (looking for) I've got two Swiss K-31's and have accumulated a few hundred fired GP-11 berdan primed cases. I've had good luck depriming the cases hydraulicly. I'd like to reload these cases but I'm having trouble locating berdan primers. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase these primers. I tried Grafs & Sons. They said maybe in the near future. No luck with Midway either. Thanks ----bygred1@comcast.net -->

01-04-2008, 01:48 PM	#2
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Berdans are becoming hard to get in the U.S, bygred. PMC (manufactured in Russia) used to import them, but that company went down the tubes in 2006. RWS still makes them, but no longer exports them to the U.S. Graffs was the only place I know of who handled them, but they seem to be having problems getting them as well. Wolf makes them, but apparently does not export them to the U.S. at present. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

01-04-2008, 03:21 PM	#3
bygred1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Thanks for your reply. -Bygred1

01-10-2008, 09:53 AM	#4
conifer Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) I have some Berdan large rifle primers....but don't know how many (several hundred), I recall they were costly (sent from Germany to me), but dunno what I paid.....I use them in a 9.3x72R ....tho' rarely.....maybe can sell you some. Any thoughts on price??? Alex aax1@bellsouth.net

01-11-2008, 07:18 PM	#5
Dakota Red 1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 504	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Hi bygred, How is hydraulic depriming accomplished? Maybe if enough reloaders ask for berdan primers we will get them. I know I would give it a shot if decapping is practical. from: the other Red 1 __________________ Warte nur, balde ruhest du auch.

01-18-2008, 01:35 PM	#6
bygred1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Hi, Dakota Red 1. I haven't been on line since just after posting. Sorry. Check out the following website. It shows you how to make your own hydraulic decaper. I get about 6 decapped in a minute, once I got the feel for it. My problem is that I haven't found a place to obtain the primers. For the price of ammo these days, I think it's worth it. Besides I'd rather be doing something productive, like reloading rather than wasting time watching too much tv. I find reloading good theropy while recovering from some recent surgery.

01-18-2008, 01:37 PM	#7
bygred1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Dakota Red 1 --------Guess I forgot to include the link. The mind needs a little theropy also. http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...ding/index.asp

01-20-2008, 12:00 AM	#8
Dakota Red 1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 504	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Thanks for the info bygred1! It looks very interesting and do-able. I was delivered an order of GP-11 rounds this week and it would be a shame to have nothing but scrap brass after it is fired. It is finely crafted ammo. I have emailed the Old Western Scrounger to let them know I'm a potential customer for Berdan primers. There is also a reloading supplier here in Kansas, Powder Valley Inc., who I have asked to look into getting them. If I have any luck I will let you kow. I hope all is going well with your recovery, ---Mike p.s. Also emailed Midway USA. Surprised to see a reply this morning...they work Sundays. They will consider the request. I bet they are the best shot on this and if enough of us bug them, they will get us some. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductrequest.exe/request 1/23/2008 Got a positive response from Graf's, they are looking for some. __________________ Warte nur, balde ruhest du auch. Last edited by Dakota Red 1; 01-24-2008 at 11:06 AM..

08-12-2008, 03:24 PM	#9
Oohrah V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 60	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) Your method to deprime is about the only way I know of to remove the primer with out breaking the center post between the two flash holes. However, these primers are larger in size so primer arm punch for seating the new primer is undersized. Did some of these many years ago using the old Lymon 310 nutcracker type loader for the Brittish 303. To me, very time consuming and other than if there were no other way, it wasn't worth just using once fired or new USA brass.

08-13-2008, 04:07 PM	#10
gandog56 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 325	Re: Berdan primers (looking for) I gave up trying to find Berdan primers in the US. I sent a few emails to foreign manufacturers, but never got any replies.