steel cases

Aloysius · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:15 am Post subject: steel cases

just got me some Barnaul ammo in .30-06 Spring. Bullet is 145 grs FMJ and it's a "lacquered steel case"

Just wondering: can I reload such steel cases? Do they ask somekind of special treathment?
It's for a SAFN 49 in .30-06 when this should make any difference.

Some say you can, other say don't do it... so just wondering what "nuts" could advice...

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:51 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

Many years ago I ruined a perfectly good .45 ACP sizing die with a random steel case that was mixed into a brass lot someone gave me. While it is maybe possible, it must be remembered that we commonly use brass for its ability to expand under pressure but be resized to nominal dimensions. Steel often shows a tendency to "spring" back after sizing. Steel is also much more brittle than brass and far more likely to split - either when sizing or upon firing after being reloaded.

I would recommend shooting your ammo but discarding the empties.

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:28 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

A couple of years ago I got into a discussion with someone about 9mm X 19 steel cases. Granted, they were brass washed. I loaded these cases with 5.0 grains of W-231 under a 124 grain JHP. They were reloaded 10 times each and fired in a M 43 Firestar. No problems as noted by the photo. They resized properly every time. As you can see I still have the 20 cases.

Now for the lacquer coated steel rifle cases...No clue...None. Except that when the lacquer coating is gone they will rust. Rust is an abrasive.

MacD · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:53 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

I was under the impression that steel cases were not good for reloading but Bush's experience contradicts that belief. If they are clean, lubed and did not use corrosive primers I would try a few and check chambering, primer and bullet tension. I would look for any signs of case fatigue around the shoulder and head or primer pocket expansion. Storing them in ziplock bags with some dried beans, or other dessicant should keep any rust at bay. Let us know how you make out. Steel cases are plentiful at the local indoor range.

Aloysius · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:23 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

When I didn't hesitate, I wouldn't ask the question...
But my son-in-law bought that SAFN and believe it or not, but till now I never did something in 30-06. Even my own SAFN is rechambered in 7x64 (and that's the only 7x64 in my collection).
I never thought about reloading steel cases. But now he bought about 400 rounds together with the rifle, they are all Barnaul with these steel cases and then I read what Barnaul is saying about steel cases...

www.barnaul.co.nz/arti.../why-steel

Now how should I understand this? A Russian company manufacturing in NZ... it sounds like some Russians had to run and didn't stop running till they reached the other side of the world...
and is now teaching us new wisdom?

I wonder what the Aussies say about Barnaul and the steel cases...

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:45 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

Berdan primed...That would be my only problem.

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:17 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

Aah MacD. Late or slow stutter?

Aloysius · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:37 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

Bushmaster wrote:

Berdan primed...That would be my only problem.

I know. And when you use that RCBS-thing, you often crush the anvil and most of the time you only discover that after you pulled the trigger...

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: steel cases

I have yet to find a Boxer primer that will stay in a berdan pocket unless you really force the primer to expand enough to stay in. I've remove the "tit" in the pocket but, as Aloysius says, "you often crush the anvil..."

Vince · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: steel cases

Aloysius wrote:

just got me some Barnaul ammo in .30-06 Spring. Bullet is 145 grs FMJ and it's a "lacquered steel case"

Just wondering: can I reload such steel cases? Do they ask somekind of special treathment?
It's for a SAFN 49 in .30-06 when this should make any difference.

Some say you can, other say don't do it... so just wondering what "nuts" could advice...

Never tried it myself, but I wondered the same thing mate, so I did a little research and found this guys videos on You Tube...

Reloading Steel cased .223 pt.1

Reloading Steel cased .223 pt.2

Reloading Steel cased .223 pt.3

Reloading Steel cased .223 pt.4

Sooo...can they be reloaded, yes, but you won't get as many reloads from them as you would a brass case.

PaulS · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:10 pm Post subject: Re: steel cases

How much harder are the sizing die compared to the steel cases?

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 5:17 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

I don't know about the relative hardness of the steel cases versus the dies, but in my instance the .45 ACP case split upon entering the die and deeply scored the die cavity. Just my personal thought, but I would think that bottleneck cases would seem to be more prone to splitting due to reducing necks, bumping back shoulders and sizing body tapers.

MacD · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 5:44 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

SSL, that was my thinking but it seems worth a try.

Aloysius · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:16 am Post subject: Re: steel cases

Vince, it might be a good suggestion when somebody asked that man to clean his nose... don't have to tumble it... that sniffing is annoying...

Bushmaster · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: steel cases

Annoying? Ye tellin' me...