The reaction when my shooting buddies find out we're out of steel cased ammo...

[EL Pistolero]

Yep, not everybody is happy we are shooting brass again lol. Used up the last of my reloaded steel cased 7.62x39 and had to dig through my bins to find some brass I could reload until I get some more steel.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

You reloaded steel cases? I have questions. What calibers? How many firings are the cases good for? What bullets did you use? Boxer primers? How did your dies do? What was sizing like?

 

[Pewpewwagon]

What powder and charge weight are you using on those coated bullets? Are you shooting an AR/AK or bolt action? Looks cool.

 

[EL Pistolero]

Brass for the 7.62x39 is not as easy to come by as other calibers so I only reload x39 for my AK's n Galils. I only reload the steel 4 times just for my piece of mind, I probably could go a couple more reloads, but I just don't do it. I cast my own bullets using a Lyman 311410 mold and throw a little babbitt in the mix for added slickness (lubricity). Out of my mold the bullets are about .313-.314. I powder coat using Eastwood powders and size down to .310 using NOW sizing bushings and die body...I also use NOW expanders to bell my cases. I wash all my bullets with dawn dish soap, I pre heat at 450°, bake at 450 for 5 minutes then turn it down to 400° for the last 15-20 minutes. As soon as the timer is done, they go straight to faucet for some cold water rinse and I only do that so I can handle the bullets right away. I use boxer primers and was removing the anvil prior to inserting into the case, but decided to skip that step. I went with drilling out existing anvil and boxer primers complete with anvils. They are pretty loose in the pockets and I gave up on trying to install a ring to hold the primer so I just use rubber contact cement to keep them in place. I do use LEE dies with these steel cases and that's due to LEE's guarantee/warranty...if they do get damaged you may be able to get them repaired or replaced so I don't worry about the dies, plus...they are not showing much wear. Sizing is not a problem at all, just a very slight increase in resistance but I resize with a hand press and you may not notice much with a bench mounted press, I do use HORNADY UNIQUE in very thin film and that stuff works great. I am charging them with Reloader 7 and about 23 grains, the bullets are around 124-125 grains. These are fired out of my Riley Defense CA KRINK SBR and one of my KUSA KR-103's.

 

[Malibu]

You reloaded steel cases? I have questions. What calibers? How many firings are the cases good for? What bullets did you use? Boxer primers? How did your dies do? What was sizing like?

I do as well. Mainly .45ACP, .308W, and .38 Special.

I usually reload them only once or twice, and consider those cases as scrap beyond that. I used to have a avenue into the Tula distribution network back in the 90’s-early 2000’s, and at some point had purchased several pallets (the size that requires a forklift) at a very good price. 9mm I simply discard; it’s not worth my time.

I almost always use plated bullets wherever I can get them economically, lately from Berry’s. I find plated (and jacketed) bullets to be cleaner to use around the loading shack, with no need for waxing, sizing, etc. I do cast bullets for other cartridges, but not for steel-cased stuff.

Boxer primers are all I use. I don’t mess with Berdan, or any cases with an anvil. If a case has a loose primer pocket, it is scrap. My reasoning is that any gasses coming past the primer (leaking) through the flash hole could be dangerous.

Dies are carbide, with some wet spray lube applied. Cases are dry-tumbled prior to help prevent scratching to the dies. Effort required is a bit more than brass.

My primary reason to reload steel is that I don’t like to leave good brass on the ground, and at some venues there may not be time to pick it up later. During night shoots, it’s also easier to leave it behind if I must. Lastly, some of our weapons are very hard on fired cases, such as UZI’s, HK’s, and the like. They tend to put a serious dent in the case mouth. For our weapons that use 7.62X39, I discard those as well, being that I have enough to last beyond my shooting years.

 

[Pewpewwagon]

I reloaded 7.62x39 rounds some time ago. They would cycle in my AR but not the AK. I don’t remember what powder it was. It was an Accurate powder. I will get some reloader 7 to try.

 

[FoundFather]

OP, glad to see you are ready in case the zombies attack while you are in the shower. Who needs a towel when you have a Krink?

 

[EL Pistolero]

Criminals don't stop because we're taking a restroom break.