How to Identify Berdan Primers

The metallic cartridges used as ammunition in most modern rifles and pistols consist of four components: a case (usually made of brass or steel), a bullet (usually made of copper or lead), powder to provide the primary explosive charge and a primer. The primer is a cuplike component similar to a cap. The primer is designed so that when it is struck hard enough, it explodes inward, detonating the powder charge and forcing the bullet out of the casing. There are primarily two kinds of primers: Berdan primers and Boxer primers. Identifying the primers and the proper cases with which to reload them can be important if you are planning on reloading your own metallic cartridges.

Things You'll Need

  • Magnifying glass
  • Flashlight
  • White towel
  • Primers
  • Spent casings
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread the white towel out over your work surface. This will make it easier to keep track of small parts.

    • 2

      Examine the primers using the magnifying glass. Berdan primers will be shaped like small cups and will not have the three distinctive metal "anvils" -- metal bumps against which the priming compound strikes -- found on Boxer primers.

    • 3

      Examine the spent case using the magnifying glass and flashlight as necessary to determine if it is a Berdan- or Boxer-primed case. Berdan-primed cases will have three holes in the base -- one large hole in the center and two smaller "flash holes" on either side. Boxer-primed cases will only have one hole in the center.