Steel Casings - Reloadable?

bluemike807

bluemike807

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This will seem a dumb question, so please be gentle: can the ferrous cases be reloaded? ie, Federal 9mm Luger cases that are 'silvery' in appearance - I was told they were either aluminium or steel - and that they couldnt be reloaded, but I've been reading recently that some can. Likewise the steel casings from, say, 7.62x39 Czech stuff - can it or can't it?

Thanks.
 
If you're talking about the CCI Blazer ammo, which has aluminum cases, no it can't be reloaded.

There are also nickel plated brass cases, which can be reloaded like anything else.

The Czech 7.62x39 cases aren't worth reloading because they are Berdan primed. Berdan primers are harder to find and more expensive and you can't deprime with the sizing die. Besides which, the ammo is cheaper than what it would cost to reload.

Steel cases will also accelerate wear on sizing dies.
 
Like tjhaile said.

The steel cases have Berdan primers. They can be re-loaded - but you don't want to.

I reload berdan for one caliber because it is the only brass available for 8x60R. It is a pain.
 
As other have mentioned reloading berdan primed case requires special primers and a extra tool to remove the berdan primer,some people do reload the Wolf steel case .223 and 45 ACP cases there both boxer primed but case life will be very short and unless your just desperate for survival purposes or want to experiment I see no reason to with all the new and once fired brass cases around.

All the other steel case ammo as well as the aluminum case ammo is berdan primed,if you have any question as to if the case is reloadable look down into the case if you see two holes set off center it berdan I just toss it,if it has one hole in the center and it's brass or nickel plated brass it boxer primed and reloadable.

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bluemike807 said:
This will seem a dumb question, so please be gentle: can the ferrous cases be reloaded? ie, Federal 9mm Luger cases that are 'silvery' in appearance - I was told they were either aluminium or steel - and that they couldnt be reloaded, but I've been reading recently that some can. Likewise the steel casings from, say, 7.62x39 Czech stuff - can it or can't it?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You are discussing different beasties.
The 'silvery' 9mm cases are nickel plated and are reloadable. I know that Winchester also produces nickeled cases, and there might be others.
Aluminum cases are made by CCI and they are a dull grey, and are stamped NR on the base.
The others have already made the point about steel cases. It could be done, but not a lot of point when they come in Berdan primers.
 
'NR' stamping on CCI Blazer means 'Non reloadable'. Nickle plated brass is reloadable. Steel cased ammo? Fuggitaboudit! Any doubt? Take a magnet to the cartridge cases in question. IMHO Berdan primed cases are not worth the effort to reload.
 
Ganderite said:
Like tjhaile said.

The steel cases have Berdan primers. They can be re-loaded - but you don't want to.

I reload berdan for one caliber because it is the only brass available for 8x60R. It is a pain.
Click to expand...


Ganderite, would you mind giving some information on your Berdan case reloading? I would like to reload some Berdan cases I have in 8x56R, but can't find any source for primers. Thanks.
 
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