Berdan decapping tool from RCBS

PoiDog · January 5, 2001, 11:25 PM

Anybody use one of these? And is there any reason too do this? I'm unsure if these cases can be reprimed, probably in Europe they have new primers. It seems like with all this imported ammo being used, I thought maybe someone had tried to use the Berdan stuff over.

Keith J · January 6, 2001, 01:02 AM

Reloading Berdan is slow and frustrating. The tool you mentioned is slow as it pierces the primer from the outside and prys it out. The only way to commercially reload is to neck size the case w/o inside expanding, fill the case with water and then run it through a full length resizer with expander ball and no decap pin. The water pressure will drive the primer out but its messy and not suited to progressive reloading.

The primers come in a variety of sizes and some automatic feed systems will not work due to this. Seating the primers is another problem as height again isn't too standard. Ignition can be iffy and expect to pop a few in seating.

I had pondered using Berdan cases by drilling out the anvil to form a Boxer flash hole but it would also require reaming the primer pocket to the correct dimension.

Your best bet is to recycle the brass and buy Boxer cases.

PoiDog · January 6, 2001, 09:57 AM

That's what I've been doing, recycling the Berdan stuff. It was just a thought, seeing the tool in Natchez' catalog got me wondering. Thanks, Keith.

January 5, 2001, 11:25 PM	#1
PoiDog Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 1999 Location: IL Posts: 309	Anybody use one of these? And is there any reason too do this? I'm unsure if these cases can be reprimed, probably in Europe they have new primers. It seems like with all this imported ammo being used, I thought maybe someone had tried to use the Berdan stuff over.

January 6, 2001, 01:02 AM	#2
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	Reloading Berdan is slow and frustrating. The tool you mentioned is slow as it pierces the primer from the outside and prys it out. The only way to commercially reload is to neck size the case w/o inside expanding, fill the case with water and then run it through a full length resizer with expander ball and no decap pin. The water pressure will drive the primer out but its messy and not suited to progressive reloading. The primers come in a variety of sizes and some automatic feed systems will not work due to this. Seating the primers is another problem as height again isn't too standard. Ignition can be iffy and expect to pop a few in seating. I had pondered using Berdan cases by drilling out the anvil to form a Boxer flash hole but it would also require reaming the primer pocket to the correct dimension. Your best bet is to recycle the brass and buy Boxer cases.

January 6, 2001, 09:57 AM	#3
PoiDog Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 1999 Location: IL Posts: 309	That's what I've been doing, recycling the Berdan stuff. It was just a thought, seeing the tool in Natchez' catalog got me wondering. Thanks, Keith.