Alcan Primer #217B ???

Pahoo · February 2, 2023, 03:22 PM

Trying to help a buddies widow, identify this primer. I am not a reloader but just guessing that this primer is for an old/vintage center-fire cartrigde, possible even blackpowder. She found ten unopened tins of 100ea. I feel that some of you reloaders, just might just have some data that would be helpful. ....

Any and all info, would be appreciated. ....

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ac6bc9fe...pid=ImgRaw&r=0

Be Safe !!!

Jim Watson · February 2, 2023, 04:02 PM

Not that old; Alcan was pretty big in the market in the 1950s-60s. They were just importers, these primers made by Fiocchi in Italy.

I found an old Alcan manual, seen on page 3 at
https://www.scribd.com/doc/33509256/...oaders-Manual#
the 217 B is a Berdan rifle primer, .217" = 5.5mm.

I found where it is used in 7.5 Swiss G11, among others.

If you can show them where Euro calibre shooters hang out, they would be very desirable.

**Unclenick** · February 3, 2023, 11:37 AM

Yep. It's a Berdan primer, so it has no anvil so you have to decap Berdan-primed brass for it. The name 217 comes from the fact 5.5mm is 0.217 inches. That makes it wider than a Boxer large primer, which is nominally 0.210 inches.

From Dave Cushman's site:

"European-made .303 British, and South African, is often made with .217" primers (5,5 mm) and the PMC and RWS numbers of this size are suitable.

China has made 7,62 x 54R with a .217" primer for some forty years now."

seanc · February 5, 2023, 01:29 PM

Someone here might want those for their G11 brass:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/thes...mmessageboard/

February 2, 2023, 03:22 PM	#1
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Alcan Primer #217B ??? Trying to help a buddies widow, identify this primer. I am not a reloader but just guessing that this primer is for an old/vintage center-fire cartrigde, possible even blackpowder. She found ten unopened tins of 100ea. I feel that some of you reloaders, just might just have some data that would be helpful. .... Any and all info, would be appreciated. .... https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ac6bc9fe...pid=ImgRaw&r=0 Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 3, 2023, 11:37 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Yep. It's a Berdan primer, so it has no anvil so you have to decap Berdan-primed brass for it. The name 217 comes from the fact 5.5mm is 0.217 inches. That makes it wider than a Boxer large primer, which is nominally 0.210 inches. From Dave Cushman's site: "European-made .303 British, and South African, is often made with .217" primers (5,5 mm) and the PMC and RWS numbers of this size are suitable. China has made 7,62 x 54R with a .217" primer for some forty years now." __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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February 2, 2023, 04:02 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	Not that old; Alcan was pretty big in the market in the 1950s-60s. They were just importers, these primers made by Fiocchi in Italy. I found an old Alcan manual, seen on page 3 at https://www.scribd.com/doc/33509256/...oaders-Manual# the 217 B is a Berdan rifle primer, .217" = 5.5mm. I found where it is used in 7.5 Swiss G11, among others. If you can show them where Euro calibre shooters hang out, they would be very desirable.

February 5, 2023, 01:29 PM	#4
seanc Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 590	Someone here might want those for their G11 brass: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/thes...mmessageboard/