Q:
For all you reloaders:
I have been reloading .223 steel casings that I pick up at the range. They've loaded fine, and so far they shoot fine. Recently my reloading mentor of 35 years told me "no, no, you can't reload steel casings". After telling him that I already did, and shot them, he said, "well, you have to be careful, they transmit heat differently, and if you shoot too many in a row, they will start sticking in the chamber and not ejecting". So far, I haven't experienced any problems.
Can anyone enlighten me any further?
Question by Treadmark. Uploaded on May 30, 2013
Answers (7)
No on this one too!
Same here! Steel cases are Hell on the reloading dies they score the walls on your dies.
Why? .223 brass is cheap, why take a chance.
Some of the Russian stuff is coated with a lacquer to keep the steel from rusting. Theoretically, at least, if your going hot and heavy you could heat up the chamber enough to soften the lacquer into a sticky mess.
But as previously stated, I wouldn't reload that stuff for any good reason.
The lacquer from steel cases will build up over time in your chamber and throat causing cycling problems and ultimately a tight chamber leading to excessive pressures. Good luck
Don't do it again for the reasons listed above.
Thanks again for these answers. I saw the laquer, but I didn't now about the associated problems.
Steel is out.
Post an Answer
No on this one too!
Same here! Steel cases are Hell on the reloading dies they score the walls on your dies.
Some of the Russian stuff is coated with a lacquer to keep the steel from rusting. Theoretically, at least, if your going hot and heavy you could heat up the chamber enough to soften the lacquer into a sticky mess.
But as previously stated, I wouldn't reload that stuff for any good reason.
The lacquer from steel cases will build up over time in your chamber and throat causing cycling problems and ultimately a tight chamber leading to excessive pressures. Good luck
Why? .223 brass is cheap, why take a chance.
Don't do it again for the reasons listed above.
Thanks again for these answers. I saw the laquer, but I didn't now about the associated problems.
Steel is out.
Post an Answer