Modifying Magtech hulls to take 209 primers: how do I do it?

charlie macneil · January 22, 2007, 05:25:10 PM

It would be nice to know, 'cause then I could pretty much do the whole thing on my Lee LoadAll shotshell loader. It'd be way faster than loadin' them with a hammer...

Adirondack Jack · January 22, 2007, 05:39:02 PM

RCBS sells a shell holder you can use to prime Mag techs on an ordinary single stage loading press. Give 'em a call (it's not in the catalog) I think it is $20.

You can drill out the recess for 209s, but then ya gotta pay the extra cost of 209s. Don't seem a great savings in time or money.

Sod Buster · January 22, 2007, 05:46:32 PM

It seems to make better sense to use the brass shells that are designed to work with the 209 primers. Both Wildcat Will and Poney Racer use those. Perhaps they can comment on them.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 22, 2007, 06:58:33 PM

If'n it ain't f****d, don't fix it. If you do your reloading in batches, it doesn't take much time at all. All my equipment except the measures came out of my scrap bin. And even then, measures can be made very quickly from stuff on hand. You don't even need a wad guide, just tip the cards/wads a bit and slip them in.

Delmonico · January 22, 2007, 07:12:04 PM

Alcan made some brass ones in the 1960's that used 209, but the one speciman I have has a heavy web. With out the base wads or a heavier web the web will be driven forward on firing and be pushed back as the powder burn reaches pressure. If you bend a piece on brass back and forth several times it work hardens and breaks.

The rifle primer and pocket prevents this. If the web breaks you will have a nasty gas leak, how long it will take is something I wouldn't want to find out.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 22, 2007, 09:28:55 PM

The fellow that makes the Double Gun 209 conversions has to put a nylon insert into the base to "help" support the primer as Del points out. I strongly suggest leaving them alone. As Jeff Cooper used to say "An ingenious solution to a non-existent problem!"

charlie macneil · January 22, 2007, 10:00:04 PM

Okay, okay, I can take a hint.

Obviously, this was a case of too much time on my hands, too little to do, and too much access to a computer keyboard...

Consider this another idea whose time has not yet come...

Goatlips · January 22, 2007, 10:43:12 PM

Hay Charlie,

In response to your question you need a 15/64 drill bit. From what I recall from old posts you do it from the inside. I got the bit and was ready to use 209's in my Magtechs, but never went any further after I learned to use large pistol primers, a long punch, a socket extention, a hunk of steel with a hole in it and a hammer.

A bit of information here:

http://p223.ezboard.com/Adapting-BerdanPrimed-Cases-To-Use-Shotgun-Primers/fbritishmilitariaforumsfrm5.showMessage?topicID=34.topic

Goatlips

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 22, 2007, 11:40:35 PM

Goatlips; You are a master of the obvious! We all forgot to mention the HAMMER!

Grizzle Bear · January 23, 2007, 08:15:23 AM

All well and good, but can anybody help me? I have a bunch of the original CBC brass shells that use the Berdan primers. Bought them from Old Western Scrounger years ago. Now he's gone, and I can't find a source for the Berdan primers. Only have a couple of hundred left, then I'll have to switch to the ones with the rifle primer.

By the way, Berdan primers are EASY to remove and replace!

Grizzle Bear

charlie macneil · January 23, 2007, 09:22:29 AM

As I said before, obviously, this was a case of too much time on my hands, too little to do, and too much access to a computer keyboard...

Oh well, back to the drawing board. If I didn't come up with these dumb questions, you guys wouldn't have anybody to tell how stupid he is...

Y'all have a nice day now, hear?

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 23, 2007, 07:59:52 PM

There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers. I hope ours passed the test!

Heh! Grizzle; Can those CBC shells be drilled out to 209, or is the berdan cavity too large?

Grizzle Bear · January 24, 2007, 07:45:37 AM

Quote from: Sir Charles deMoutonBlack on January 23, 2007, 07:59:52 PM

Heh! Grizzle; Can those CBC shells be drilled out to 209, or is the berdan cavity too large?

I suppose they could be. I would prefer to just get the Berdan primers, since I have learned how easy they are to deal with.

GB

Delmonico · January 24, 2007, 08:06:34 AM

You could move to Europe, they have them over there.

Sorry pard, that is bad, someone would take up the slack you would think.