Reloading Swiss GP11 cases (7.5x55)

[Low-Pressure]

I went and shot my K31 this past Saturday. I've seen post in other sites, where they used boxer primers in them. http://users.ameritech.net/mchandler/primer.html .So here's my question, Has anybody here tried and had luck using that process? I'm thinking about trying it out.

[bumpo628]

I started a similar thread a while ago. It has some good info and links.
Alternative methods are also discussed.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=374452

[bcrich]

Damn, that sounds like some serious prep time! I guess it's all part of the hobby but I would just go with boxer NNY brass (privi) how long is it taking to prep say...50 cases?

[Low-Pressure]

I started a similar thread a while ago. It has some good info and links.
Alternative methods are also discussed.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=374452

Thanks for the link, I can't believe I missed that.

[kkritter]

Try to find Berdan primers. It's not that much harder to reload Berdan primed brass, I reload all my GP11. You'll have to make a tool to remove the primer but after that, it's the same as long as you can remove the de-capping pin from the sizing die. I got lucky and scored some Berdan primers from an old timer at a gun show. There is a youtube video from a fellow who made the little decapping tool. The tough part is finding primers.

[Low-Pressure]

Try to find Berdan primers. It's not that much harder to reload Berdan primed brass, I reload all my GP11. You'll have to make a tool to remove the primer but after that, it's the same as long as you can remove the de-capping pin from the sizing die. I got lucky and scored some Berdan primers from an old timer at a gun show. There is a youtube video from a fellow who made the little decapping tool. The tough part is finding primers.

That one of the reasons I'm thinking of converting the primer pockets to accept boxer primer. Graf's ran out of berdan primers a while back.... hopefully they will stock them again soon. Might not be a bad idea to convert 100 pieces into accepting boxer primers and keep the rest berdan.... hhhmmmmmm

[bumpo628]

I still haven't had the time to try it, but I think it makes more sense to put in a little work in the beginning and convert them to boxer. If you use the shotshell cup idea for the pocket, then you can do everything in your regular dies afterward. My only question is about primer seating depth. The shotshell cup is deeper than the primer, so it could 'walk' forward when the firing pin hits it and cause a ftf. Or it might work perfectly. I guess I just need to try it and see...

[gorblimey]

Berdan decapper:

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/13027

[bumpo628]

Berdan decapper:

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/13027

$58? Sure, if you wanna do it right...
That kinda defeats the purpose of being stingy on the brass. Does anyone have a picture of one they made?

[gunboat]

It is difficult to convert to shotshell primers without proper tooling or a lathe.
Drilling the case out is not a problem but the case then needs a slight counterbore to accept the shotshell primer flange.

You need either a small lathe or a piloted spot facer.

You need a different tool to seat the shotshell primer as it does not fit normal shellholders

All in all it is easier and cheaper to just get boxer brass if it is available.

I am not fond of the method of peening over the primer pocket to make a boxer primer fit in a berdan pocket. It gives only limited support of the primer.

Another thing is that all berdan pockets are not the same depth as boxer.
There are a multitude of different sized berdan primers, depending on the age and origin of the brass.
my ha-penny

[spencerhut]

I understand the wanting to save money and all, you're almost an environmentalist if you reload, but the PPU and Grafs brass works just fine and is easy to get.

[bumpo628]

I understand the wanting to save money and all, you're almost an environmentalist if you reload, but the PPU and Grafs brass works just fine and is easy to get.

If I am going to buy brass ($50/100), then I might as well buy ammunition ($80/100) that is ready to shoot.
The cost of the bullets, primers, and powder makes it about the same cost as buying the components and loading it.
Ammo: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/12578
Brass: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/12651

The berdan brass-cased Yugo ammo is $4/15 or $27/100. Plus I already have several hundred rounds of it. So, after converting the brass I would only need to buy components and I could reload it if/when the supply of cheap berdan cased ammo dries up.

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8521&dir=18|830|853

[spencerhut]

If I am going to buy brass ($50/100), then I might as well buy ammunition ($80/100) that is ready to shoot.

I agree. That is exactly what I do. I buy loaded PPU or Grafs ammo, enjoy shooting it and reuse the brass.

[kkritter]

OK, maybe I'll make a youtube video one day and have my 15 minutes of fame but until then, here's some pics of what I've been doing:

The tool I make to decap GP11 is crude, I don't have a machine shop or metal lathe. It's a piece of aluminum bar reduced to just under .30 caliber. I drilled a pilot hole with a #69 drill bit and then tapped in a #68 drill bit and cut it off. A drill bit is the only thing I've found hard enough, I've tried steel and brass wire, no good. You"ll notice I've broken the drill bit several times. Sometimes it lasts for 100's of times, other times it breaks after just a few decaps. This works well for GP11, other berdan primed brass, not so much. I insert the tool into the brass and "feel around" for one of the flash holes, it takes a little practice. Once you find it and the pin slips into it, I put the brass into a shell holder and tap the primer out with a small mallet. This works for me and I've reloaded 100's of rounds of GP11 brass with it. Finding primers is the hardest part. I got lucky and scored a bunch from a old timer reloader at the Del Mar gun show last year. I think you really want a 5608 primer, the ones I got are 5620's, a little shallower but they work great in my K31, not one FTF yet. It's a 5.5MM diameter primer. The Tula primers should work but no one has them is stock so I haven't been able to check them out. As far as converting the GP11 brass to boxer.....you're gonna make a crude modification to soft brass and then make it explode inches from your face.....I don't think so, IMHO. There's a very good video on youtube of a guy reloading Swedish 6.5 brass and his decapper is very cool but will take a machine shop to make it. I got a buddy with with a shop....hummmmm.....

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9d64ikV_mbwOWY3ZTlhOGMtOThhNC00ZDQwLTlhMmQtZmEzNmI3YWFhOThh&hl=en&authkey=CJP37vwF

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9d64ikV_mbwODk3YjZjYTUtYTlmZS00YTA5LWI4NTktNmQ5NGFjYTY5MTZj&hl=en&authkey=CLWMq58L

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9d64ikV_mbwODUwNjI3ODMtOTBhNi00ODZjLWEzMDAtOWY0NDhkZTgzODk3&hl=en&authkey=COvG5r4J

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9d64ikV_mbwNWYxNTY4OTQtNDM4YS00ZjhmLWFkYTktYzA5MDRiZjU0OWQx&hl=en&authkey=CLKkp8EO

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9d64ikV_mbwYzNkZWNiOGItMWViMy00OWY5LWI2N2YtOGRlNmU2NzZhNzc3&hl=en&authkey=CL22xfcF

It's not going to save you any money as you can buy surplus GP11 for a little more that $.49 a round plus shipping right now, http://www.samcoglobal.com/Ammo-75-swiss.html . For me, it's the challenge and a labor of love. If GP11 surplus ever runs out, you've got somewhere to go.

Enjoy

[bumpo628]

The tool I make to decap GP11 is crude, I don't have a machine shop or metal lathe. It's a piece of aluminum bar reduced to just under .30 caliber. I drilled a pilot hole with a #69 drill bit and then tapped in a #68 drill bit and cut it off. A drill bit is the only thing I've found hard enough, I've tried steel and brass wire, no good. You"ll notice I've broken the drill bit several times. Sometimes it lasts for 100's of times, other times it breaks after just a few decaps. This works well for GP11, other berdan primed brass, not so much. I insert the tool into the brass and "feel around" for one of the flash holes, it takes a little practice. Once you find it and the pin slips into it, I put the brass into a shell holder and tap the primer out with a small mallet. This works for me and I've reloaded 100's of rounds of GP11 brass with it.

Thanks for the walk-through. I knew there was an easy way to do it...