If I can get the primer out can I reload Berdan primed cartridges?

In short no, there is no reason. You have failed to tell what cartridge we are talking about? Any way, the method to remove a primer from a Berdan cartridge goes like this;

1- Clean brass

2- Use full case sizing die with decapping mandrill removed, you will still need to keep the expanding ball to size the neck of case so a bullet will fit tightly.

3- Carefully, fill the case with water until just below the case mouth.

4- Place case in press with Bullet seating die and align a bullet as if you were loading. Carfully, press bullet into the water filled case. As you press the water pressure builts up and should start pushing the primer out the the pocket.

5- After the primer has been removed, you'll have to clean up the water, use a bullet puller to remove bullet from case.

6- Drill a new flash hole so you'll be able to use "Boxer" type primers and clean and debur primer pocket.

7- Be sure to move any water from your reloading equipment and coat surfaces with a light oil to prevent rust.

Be safe, you can render primers in active by soaking them in oil not water! It is best to do above procedure with "popped" primers and never try to reuse removed primers.

Or better contact Midwayusa.com and buy preformed, boxer primer pocketed brass. I believe they have both types, but I prefer the unprimered type.

Good luck!

Joe

Yes ! It is not recommended as it takes more time and extra tools to do so. However, if you wish to, first select only good fired casings. NEVER try to extract primers from unfired casings. Using an old sizing die secured in a milling machine up-side down. insert casing and tap lightly. With a 3/16 mill, mill out the very center of the primer and all the way through the casing. This does two things. It gives you a way to extract what is left of the primer and it takes out the anvil. In Berdan primed cartridges the anvil is on the cartridge instead of built into the primer as with boxer type primers. If not taken out it will set of the new primer when inserted. Now mike the primer to be used and size primer hole. Now you can re load this round with ease.

As much as most people think you can't, you actually can. There is even a video on the internet of a guy reloading steel case Berdan primed Wolf ammo ( 7.62x39 ). Basically, the difference is how the primer is held into the cartridge. Just google "steel case reloading video" and the guy will explain all the problems associated with doing so. Keep in mind, reloading Berdan ammo will be a pain.

Yes. Even if you mill the primer bump in the middle of the primer pocket and ream the primer pocket, the dual flash holes were never designed to work with Boxer primers.

The only reason on earth I could possibly see for reloading Berdan primed brass is that the brass was unavailable in Boxer format. These days, it's really a moot point.

Attempting to relaod Berdan ammo is like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon...lots of work with no or unsuitable results.

Reloading Berdan Primed Brass

You should consider reloading Berdan primed cases only if there are no regular cases available for that caliber. It is a good bit of trouble and you will need some specialized tools to do it. If you can find regular brass anywhere for your caliber, forget reloading Berdan primed cases. If you have a big pile of them, yu can sell them for the scrap metal value and apply that money toward buying some regular brass to replace the Berdan brass.

You can buy a tool to remove the Berdan primers and they're certainly available to reload with, but it's such a pain in the rear hardly anybody bothers.

It is possible to extract the primer from a fired case by using air pressure. You would then have to mill the anvil, (there are tools available to do this), and possibly have to ream the primer pocket to fit a normal primer.

NEVER try to dismantle a loaded berdan primed round with a kinetic bullet puller, due to their design, they can discharge.

If the cases are available with boxer primers don't waste the time or money to try to get them out.