Listing for BERDAN Primed .223 Cases

[novalondon]

Is there a listing anyplace for Berdan primed cases in .223 or other calibers so we can sift thru our batches before we bend or break a decap pin?

[bumpo628]

You're looking for a list of headstamps?

I found my first berdan .223 the other day in some range pickup; it's pretty rare. It should be on the top of my scrap bucket, so I'll check it later tonight and post the name.

It seems that every other .308 case is berdan, that I come across at least. I just check them all with a flashlight by grabbing a handful and looking at several at the same time.

I also found a 45acp berdan case recently. I'll see if I can find that one too.

[novalondon]

Reason I ask is I am in process of preping about 6,000 cases I just bought off Gun Broker and so far I have found about 15 different head stamps dating back to 1970 All of my cases so far have been Non Berdan primers but I would hate to get a set up going and hit a berdan case and either bend or break a decap pin. $3.95 each at Dillon.

[joelogic]

$3.95 each vs. hand sorting 6000 cases?

Buy 5 pins and push forward.

Tri point crimp is usually always berdan.

[bumpo628]

Reason I ask is I am in process of preping about 6,000 cases I just bought off Gun Broker and so far I have found about 15 different head stamps dating back to 1970 All of my cases so far have been Non Berdan primers but I would hate to get a set up going and hit a berdan case and either bend or break a decap pin. $3.95 each at Dillon.

Doesn't Dillon send out freebies? Or do they consider those consumables?

I found that berdan .223 that I was talking about.
It's a crappy cell phone pic, but the headstamp only says "86 13".
You can also tell that the primers are staked in there.

I would get at least one depriming pin on order and then start processing. If it breaks, then so be it. I don't know about Dillon dies, but Lee dies have a collet that lets the pin slide up to avoid damage on some calibers.

[joelogic]

Pins are consumables. Mind as well order more than one.

[mycrstuff]

Order lots of pins. Even better order a decapping die with the heavier pin and get extra pins for that. Seriously it seems that you have never sorted brass before.

The easiest way to sort them is to put them in a tray of 50 or 100 and shine a light into the case. One hole good, two holes bad. Throw the two hole ones away.

At the range look at the headstamp. If it is military and not LC or FC than it is most likely Berdan. Same if it is not US made. . On the military ones if you find a headstamp that is berdan they all will be berdan. On the commercial foreign made ammo some companies make both boxer and berdan cases . You will need to do the flashlight test on them.

It is better to check your cases before you put them in the press as breaking the pin can also bend the expander shaft that is connected to it. Both the pin and the shaft will take some time to replace and re-adjust.

[novalondon]

On the Lee decap universal--Broke the first pin ten minutes into the batch. Bent the second one an hour later.
Dillon considers the pins exspendables, I also bent the pins holder or inside bolt assembly on this batch too. It seems the batch has been cleaned in a corncob mix only and it caked or dried inside the cases. I mix a 50/50 Walnut/Corncob mix to stop that problem.
So, anyways, Dillon has a new internal bolt and 3 pins enroute to me. I have a set of unversal pins coming from Lee as well for the decapper they sell.
So, anymore input.?
The staked primers are a give away for Berdan primers and I thank you for the post and pics on those.

[bumpo628]

I think I have some 30-06 boxer brass that has staked primers, so it is not a guarantee that it is berdan. Maybe it is in .223, but I am just saying that you shouldn't consider anything absolute.

Regarding the universal Lee decapper. Sounds like you had the collet nut on top too tight. It should be just tight enough to prevent the pin from sliding up when it decaps a piece of boxer brass. If it encounters any more force than this, then it should be allowed to slide up. It takes a little work to get it set up, but it works well.

[joefreas]

The staked primers are usually berdan primed. The only headstamp I have come across that were berdan primed is the 86 13 as pictured above. Good luck and it is always a good idea to have extra decapping pins.

[mycrstuff]

The Greek HXP 30.06 has staked primers but is boxer primed. Not everything that is staked is berdan.