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Slug, Measure, & Match: Using the Right Bullet for the Right Barrel Diameter
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Reloading 7.62x45 Steel Cases

Author	Comment
WesinMI	Reloading 7.62x45 Steel Cases	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1586 (12/18/07 04:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Has anyone tried to reload 7.62x45 steel or brass cases for the VZ-52? I have been reloading Berdan large rifle primers for a while and would like to reload some of these empty cases for a difficult to find ammo type. Alas, the primer pocket on these Berdan cases measures about 0.176" which equates closely to small rifle Boxer primer dimensions. I only have a supply of large rifle 0.217" primers. To my knowledge, there seems to be no easy way to get small rifle-sized Berdan primers where I am. I notice that these cases only have one offset flash hole rather than the usual two like normal Berdan primed cases, so I was wondering if I could drill away the anvil and insert some Boxer SR primers and whether I could get them to work without drilling out a central flash hole. Has someone modified these cases similarly or succeeded some other way in converting them to Boxer fired cases? The other issue is what dies to use. I figure neck sizing is all I have to do since I only have one rifle in that caliber. Can I use some other die set like 7.62x39 or another of that caliber to neck size? Last Edited By: WesinMI 12/18/07 04:37 PM. Edited 1 time.
mackatpanamared		#1	[-]
Posts: 572 (12/18/07 05:30 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	the steel cases are almost impossible to resize although i have done some german 8mm its not worth it.it seems steel also very prone to cracking on the second firing.get some 6.5 carcano brass and run it thru a 7.62x45 die works well.
NuJudge		#2	[-]
Posts: 203 (12/18/07 06:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Some 7.62x45 I have seen has the larger .217" Berdan primer pockets. In 1000 rounds of rusty, ugly looking stuff that I bought several years ago, I found just a couple, each having dates in the early 1970's. Maybe you can find some more of it. CDD
doug henry		#3	[-]
Posts: 1672 (12/18/07 07:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I converted several steel cases to Boxer LR primers. I have full length sized them a few times with Lee 7.62x39 die. Other hand loaders have resized steel and it worked for them. You will want to full length size the case as this is for a autol-oader and the x39 die does not size the entire case.
WesinMI		#4	[-]
Posts: 1587 (12/19/07 09:46 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Doug, Can you give me a rundown on what basic steps you took to convert them to Boxer LR? What drill bits, tools did you use, etc? Did you use drill press - don't have one of those. Thanks. Mackatpanamared - yes, I know that the 7.62x45 dies would be the easiest solution but the prices I see on them are a virtual arm or leg - didn't want to go that route just yet - trying to figure out an ad hoc way perhaps to use all these military steel and brass cases I have that I have saved over several range sessions. If nothing works out with the Berdan primers, I'll probably go that route eventually but I'd rather spend the $200 or so the dies cost on rifles/ammo rather than for dies for a single rifle in the collection. Then again, if I bought the dies, that'd probably lead me to buy a couple more of these rifles - you know how that goes, I bet! Thanks.
doug henry		#5	[-]
Posts: 1673 (12/19/07 12:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Here is a link to my C&R page with Berdan to Boxer conversion. It's a bit of work but the one technique that holds up to multiple reloads with jacketed bullets. http://www.geocities.com/d_henry1@sbcglobal.net/berdan-boxer.html I have converted 220 Swift cases but that requires a metal lathe and drill press: Closest available cases are the 220 Swift and 7.35 Carcano determined by base diameter and case length. Size a 220 Swift for a head / shoulder length of 1.425" and head / neck of 1.520". Use a 7.62x39 full length-sizing die with decapper removed, Lee #10 shell holder. Cut case length to 1.77" Ream neck inside with 19/64" drill bit to thin neck. Cut rim diameter to .442" and deepen extractor grove to .380" Fire form. Bullet seating is done with the 7.62x39 seating die.
WesinMI		#6	[-]
Posts: 1589 (12/20/07 10:32 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Doug, Appreciate your sharing - there is a lot of good information on your site. I look forward to trying some of them out!

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