Drilling out Berden primed brass

[Dixie Dude]

I have a lot of .308 Berden primed brass that I picked up from the range.  Is it possible to bore out the primer with a drill press and small drill?  I was curious to know if it was cost effective and if it could be done?  Leave a hole the size of the depriming tool. 

[BBF]

I've seen Berdan Primer tools advertised somewhere, however once the primer is out, then what??

[Savage]

Well,----------It would be critical to center the drilled hole. When fired I'm betting it would blow the primer out every time!  Throw that brass in your salvage bucket and get some boxer primed brass. You'll save yourself some grief!
Savage

[calvon]

The main difference between Berdan and Boxer primers is in the anvil. In Berdan, the anvil is a part of the brass case and the primer is merely a cup with primer mixture in it. In Boxer, the anvil is a part of the primer and is that three legged thing you see when you look in the front end of the primer.

With Berdan cases you cannot use Boxer primers. You do have to use Berdan primers. And vice versa.

[stimpylu32]

DD

Drilling will not help any , Boxer and Berdan primers are diffrent dia. so you can't just pop a standard primer into the case .

http://www.dave-cushman.net/shot/berdan_supplies_dimensions.html

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

stimpy

[LaOtto222]

Not only that, but they are raised in the middle (anvil), it would have to be milled down, then drilled. Even if the primers did fit, that would be enough to put me off. Just scrap it and get yourself some new 308 cases. They are some of the cheapest available. If you want to really scrimp on brass, get military once fired brass, they sell it in different places on the Web. Personally I experimented with military cases in 223 and have just decided to go civilian all the way, just is not worth it to me to save a few bucks a hundred.

[Dixie Dude]

Thanks for the info.