Granted, the
Boxer primer itself is more complex than the Berdan design.
Switching over to the
Boxer primer for the American market was a first for Norma--and as important--Norma was able to supply the American handloading market with unprimed brass with the added touch of drilled, not punched, primer holes.
The legs of the 3-legged anvil of a
Boxer primer rest just inside the walls of the primer pocket, and must firmly contact the bottom of the pocket for sure ignition.
It also features brass cases and military-style
Boxer primers. Like the original Hornady Frontier ammo, this new ammunition is made at the well-known U.S.
The Ruger is set up for optimum performance with more sensitive (likely softer) cupped
boxer primers, so misfires with the Russian surplus and similar rounds are common.
Standard primers are fine, magnums are not necessary, and any brand of case works okay as long as they're set up for
Boxer primers. In previous years I was a bit fussy about having brass all of one headstamp.
makes reloading dies in this caliber and that cases using
Boxer primers are also available.
WOLF
boxer primers for reloaders are now available.
All are readily reloadable with
Boxer primers. Both lines are carried nationwide by many major distributors.
To the best of my knowledge Winchester's cartridges always used
Boxer primers. Conversely all ammunition factory loaded by the Sharps Rifle Company of the 1870s used Berdan primers.
This ammunition, while, most often Berdan-primed, can sometimes be encountered with
Boxer primers.
The
boxer primers are nickel-plated brass as well, and lead styphnate is the primary explosive to ensure positive ignition.