Berdan shell cases

[Zeak]

Can Berdan cases be changed to a Boxer case. I'm just asking, have a bunch of 8-mm cases and have plenty of time and got to mess with something. Zeak

[halcon]

I believe they are a different diameter,the berdan being the larger one . You would be better off looking for the Berdan primers .

[Briman]

I looked at going down that alley at one time.
A berdan decapper will probably set you back nearly $100.
Berdan primers aren't always available.
8x57 (boxer) brass is cheap and readily available.

[Charley]

You can convert them to shotgun primers. Chuck them in a drill press vise, and drill them with a number 4 drill/countersink. Problem is, this is a low pressure option only. Full power 8x57 loads would be way to high for this to be safe. For any case commonly available as boxer primed, it is not worth the trouble or risk.

[Vapodog]

I've never loaded a Berdan case nor do I know of anyone that ever has....just too much hassle.

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: Zeak
Can Berdan cases be changed to a Boxer case. I'm just asking, have a bunch of 8-mm cases and have plenty of time and got to mess with something. Zeak

NO! BUT, you can get a decapper for Berdan cases from RCBS, and reprime with a regular priming tool. I used to decap Swedish mil. brass with water and a neck expander die in the Lyman 310 tool. I bought RWS primers from the Old Western Scrounger (25 primers per box). Used regular reloading data for the 140-grain bullet.

(The problem is, even if they were the same diameter, which they ain't, you'd have to remove the anvil to have a central flash-hole! Otherwise, you'd gain nothing!! This, plus the two other flash holes, would change the ignition sinificantly!)

[Detroit Jay]

Or you can reform 30-06 cases to 8X57(mauser). You have to cut about 3/16 off the 30-06 case to do it. Run them in a 8x57 die, trim them and reload. But use a lighter load first time fireing so you can fire form the brass. This will not work well on Lee dies as they have an air hole in the die that interfears with the brass(it deformed the neck in slightly but they still work fine). I just bought 1400 rounds of turk 8x57 at a gun show for $65 out the door still in the wooden crate. So I dont reload for my mausers that much. Personaly I wouldnt reload any berden primed brass. If you buy 100 rounds of comercial ammo shoot it then reload the brass you usually can reload the brass 10-15 times. My lee dies work perfect with comercial brass.

Jay