"Ask the Rabbi" by R. Mermelstein

I've noticed that ammunition for sale often identifies the primers (Berdan versus Boxer). What is the difference between these two primers, and what impact do they have on reloading ammunition (my interest is .308 Winchester and .30-40 Krag). Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

The Boxer priming system, invented by the British ordnance officer of the same name, is the method primarily used in the U.S. for getting the primer's spark through the case head to the propellant charge inside the cartridge case. The Boxer primer uses a three legged inverted anvil on top of the volatile priming compound to provide resistance against the firing pin, or striker, to crush the compound and cause it to explode. The spark travels through a single, centered flash hole in the case head to ignite the propellant ("powder" is a word I dislike; it rightfully should only be used in reference to black powder, not modern smokeless). The Berdan priming system, developed by the American ordnance officer of the same name, is the accepted priming method in Europe and other parts of the world. Instead of the anvil being a component of the primer it is an integral part of the formed cartridge case; a pointy brass formation inside the primer pocket. Another difference is that two flash holes are used to conduct the spark to the propellant. Berdan primers cannot be used to primer Boxer type cases and Berdan primers cannot be used to prime Boxer type cases. Removing spent Berdan primers requires a special hand tool and unless there is need to reload European cartridge cases that are only available in Berdan configuration it isn't really worth the effort. Should it be necessary, the depriming tool as well as Berdan primers are available from:

Huntington Die Specialties
601 Oro Dam Blvd.
Oroville CA 95965
Tel. (916) 534-1210 (916) 534-1210

Sincerely,

R. Mermelstein