Home reloading of Percussion Caps and Primers is More Common than Thought

Gun Watch ^ | 2 July, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

It is not economic, but it might be fun to make some just for the experience. The materials are a little easier to come by in Europe, We will not be falling back to flintlocks.

[riverrunner]

Very good information to have one might not need it as it is easy to buy and store primers. But in other places in the world it could very well be relevant.

[Truth29]

I am looking forward to directed energy hand weapons for the future battles against tyranny.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

GONRA noted comments on hydraulic decapping.

Has anyone ever successfully de-capped a Bredan primed case? I've tried it using a wooden dowel and by driving an unfired bullet into a shell casing full of water. I've ruined cases and shot water all over the place but have never managed to remove a primer. I Have tried this with 8mm Mauser, 7.35 Carcano and 7.62x39. No joy.

[Eagles6]

Save

[Clean_Sweep]

I have a method I plan to use but have not tried it yet. It requires drilling a centered primer hole in the case base. My plan is to use a decapping rod with a drill bit inserted into the decapping pin holder and using it as a mandrel. The process will require not drilling through the used primer. Once the drill press is set up and the case is inserted into position it should be an easy job.

[marktwain]

I have come across two methods that people say works. One is by Marshall, at a forum. He uses a file ground down to a small enough tip to tap out the primer in on of the berdan flash holes, then the other, back and forth, until the primer comes free, relatively undamaged. He says it works most of the time, and with practice take about 10 seconds.

The other is a device to hydrologically remove the primer by placing the case in the bottom of a pipe. There is an O ring around a hole in the bottom, which is large enough to allow the primer to pop out. The base of the cartridge seals the hole and the pipe filed with water. A large piston is put in place above the cartridge, the piston is hit with a sledge hammer, the primer dislodged without damage to the case or primer cup.

There is a Youtube video demonstration.

[Scrambler Bob]

M4L primers

[Covenantor]

bookmarked, copied, downloaded

[Texas Fossil]

I recently saw roll caps for toy pistols in Tractor Supply. (smile) It was in the closeout section, thought it interesting since they did not appear to sell toys.

I reload. Have since the 1970’s. 2-3 years ago I bought a great new press and some extra dies & supplies. Have primers, brass, powder, bullets and molds for cast bullets for most of the calibers we shoot. Just in case.

No we will not have to go back to flintlocks. And no, the ComDems will not confiscate our guns. Screw em

[InABunkerUnderSF]

I’ve seen the youtube demonstrations and of course it works every time. I’ve never been able to get it to work in practice. I’m looking for someone who has actually made it work. I have about 1000 rounds of spent Bredan 8x57 brass on hand.

[Organic Panic]

I couldn’t find the video before I head to the office but there’s a great video of Taliban reloading ammo in a cave using rocks and all handmade tools.

[marktwain]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/362609_Hydraulic_Decapper_for_Berdan__Home_Built_.html

Check this one out. It is not a video, and has detailed still photos of the apparatus made. Should work for your 8X57.

Not certain where you would get the berdan primers for those cases, but you could recharge them.

[mad_as_he$$]

bkmk

[Robert357]

Bump for reference. Thanks!

[IronJack]

Handy reference.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

WOW, thanks.

[rickomatic]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/362609_Hydraulic_Decapper_for_Berdan__Home_Built_.html Check this one out. It is not a video, and has detailed still photos of the apparatus made. Should work for your 8X57. Not certain where you would get the berdan primers You can also buy berdan hydraulic hand de primers on eBay. They work pretty good, although are a bit messy. You can also buy berdan primers online. I bought some Tula berdan primers. I can't remember who had them. I'm thinking Natchez, but am not sure. The hard part is seating them. They are slightly different size than boxer primers and need a modified primer seating cup. I haven't done that part yet. I did try a Lee reloaded with spotty results. They go boom pretty easily because of the size as compared to the tool.

[painter]

Bump for my records

[Pollster1]

I would suggest that this sort of information on primers and the information on gunpowder and homemade firearms be stored in paper rather than electronic form. If things get ugly, accessing self-defense information on the Internet could lead to lopsided encounters with socialist minions. A nice binder with relevant instructions is much safer.