Berdan to Boxer

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Got a batch of 60 cases done. The worst part is I had to ream the bushings after fitting.  
The DAC 1951 Mk 7 cases have a Berdan primer pocket ID of 0.243 inches. The bushing OD is 0.256, far too large. It took about 100 lbs force to press them into the case head. That reduced the bushing ID to 0.201 for a primer that measures .210.

Reamed the bushings with a LR pocket reamer, which gave me a final pocket diameter of 0.208. 

Once the brass is tumbled, I’ll seat the primers and load them up.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 21 2024 at 10:03am
	Got a batch of 60 cases done. The worst part is I had to ream the bushings after fitting. The DAC 1951 Mk 7 cases have a Berdan primer pocket ID of 0.243 inches. The bushing OD is 0.256, far too large. It took about 100 lbs force to press them into the case head. That reduced the bushing ID to 0.201 for a primer that measures .210. Reamed the bushings with a LR pocket reamer, which gave me a final pocket diameter of 0.208. Once the brass is tumbled, I’ll seat the primers and load them up.

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 21 2024 at 10:07am
	You should start a Company that does this for cash.
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 21 2024 at 10:45am
	Got tired of turning the primer pocket reamer by hand. Amazing what you can do with duct tape.

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 21 2024 at 10:58am
	Works for me.
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 26 2024 at 11:01am
	50 rounds of DAC 1951 Mk 7z Berdan cases converted to Boxer primed cases loaded with my standard match load of 40.0 gr Varget, 174 Sierra MatchKing seated to 3.05 inch OAL. These are packaged in the original cardboard 48 round carton, hence the two loose rounds…

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 26 2024 at 1:16pm
	Very nice.
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 28 2024 at 2:05pm
	Well, my first trial with these converted cases did not end well. I fired 10 rounds. Although the group was good, three of the cases blew/melted the aluminum bushings in the primer pockets. Why this happened, I do not know. Perhaps the high stresses resulting from the relatively large interference fit into the primer pocket were the cause, the bushings would have had to yield to fit in the pockets. I will contact the seller of these and see what he thinks. The bolt head was destroyed by the hot gasses. A very disappointing result.

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 28 2024 at 2:21pm
	Wow that is disappointing. If nothing else, you did those of us a service who might of been thinking of doing this. My hats off to you sir.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 28 2024 at 2:37pm
	Yes, a total failure. I think the Canadian .303 Mk 7 case Berdan primer pocket diameter must be smaller than the European Large Berdan pockets, the bushings were just too large. If you look back on my earlier posts, it took over 100 lbs to press them into the case, then I had to ream them to accept the LR Boxer primer. Hopefully, I’ll get this figured out. For starts, it will take a different sized bushing. I’ll pull down the other 40 rounds, will likely have to scrap the cases. Fortunately, I have several spare #1 bolt heads the same length as this one.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 28 2024 at 3:17pm
	Ouch! Thanks for the heads up!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 28 2024 at 7:44pm
	That does suck. Glad the bold head was the only casualty.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 29 2024 at 4:46pm
	wow , it looked so promising up to that point ,

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 29 2024 at 6:03pm
	I’m still trying to reach the guy who makes these kits. He doesn’t respond to the emails I have sent thru his website or returned my call i made this morning.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 30 2024 at 11:10am
	That doesn't sound good.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 30 2024 at 12:13pm
	agreed

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Online Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 30 2024 at 3:20pm
	I did have a new bolt head that clocked up snug at just a degree or two overturn. It is a #0 bolt head, but .001 inch longer than the #1 that got damaged. It’s slightly tight on headspace, the bolt handle is about 1/32 inch from closing on the .064 GO gage, but no worries with that, encountering a .064 rim is very rare. Back to the range on Friday to do the ladder test with the T at 600 yds and shoot some more test groups with the rebarreled Mk 1/3.