Reloading Wolf steel cases

[Santa Cruz Armory]

Ok!

Why exactly can you NOT reload wolf steel cased ammo? I deprimed/ sized and trimmed a Wolf case just like a brass case, and all went fine. I haven't loaded any yet, but whats the reason I couldn't?

[draconianruler]

You can reload it. I have seen pictures of people that did. I guess its not berden primed since you already deprimed it. Let us know how it goes if you do reload the steel case.

[1lostinspace]

Ok!

Why exactly can you NOT reload wolf steel cased ammo? I deprimed/ sized and trimmed a Wolf case just like a brass case, and all went fine. I haven't loaded any yet, but whats the reason I couldn't?

How did you resize steel did you fullsize?

[jandmtv]

i think the newer polymer coated wolf cases can be reloaded, just not sure how safe it is to reload steel cases. i wonder if steel cases are more prone to neck splitting and head separation vs. brass.

I would never do it, but out of curiosity, do keep us informed on how it goes. good luck.

[jandmtv]

How did you resize steel did you fullsize?

keep in mind that the wolf uses soft steel for their cases, so it is doable, but just because you can, doesnt mean that you should

[JeffM]

Let us know what you come up with. I've been thinking about it because AKs eat pretty narly ammo just fine. Everyone seen the vid of the Pakistani gun markets where kids are seating bullets into cases with a small hammer?

[1lostinspace]

man I remember when wolf .223 was $99 1000 rounds

[ivanimal]

Here is what I know about steel cases and reloading.
1) steel is stronger than brass and may not obturate as easily and definitely as often. This is a bad thing.
2)If there is no obturation the gases go backwards into the chamber. This is a bad thing.
3) Steel has a far greater tensile strength, IE it does not bend as easily, with heat it becomes brittle. This is a bad thing
4) Steel is hard on dies and chambers. This is not a good thing.
5) Brass is plentiful, most steel is berdan primed, if it were reliable dont you think we would all already be doing it?
6) I like my fingers and toes. Messing with case pressures is not my desire.

I may be off, I am just stating what I know.

[InFlamez]

The Wolf website does state that they're now producing some select rifle and pistol calibers with boxer primers, but it doesn't say anything about reloading. I suppose it's worth a try and I've considered it as well, but i wouldn't want to be the one to test the theory.
...maybe the Mythbusters would be up to the test!?

[packnrat]

not a metalergest but i would say ok to reloading steel cases, but as i understand it the dies will suffer from the steel, brass is a "softer" metal.

expect a stuck case or four.

lets us know how it turns out.

.

[9mmlaw]

The currrent issue of Shooting Times has an article about reloading Wolf cases, you may want to check it out.

[USN CHIEF]

The currrent issue of Shooting Times has an article about reloading Wolf cases, you may want to check it out.

Have you read it? Does it say weather is a go or no go?..

[Santa Cruz Armory]

I'll give it a whirl next time I reload .223

Pics of a sized/deprimed, trimmed case.

[Fjold]

Steel cases work harden quickly and just from firing them and resizing them they get brittle. You will probably get only one or two reloads before you have to anneal them. You will probably split some cases no matter how often you anneal them also.

Annealing is different than brass also, you will have to find the correct temperature for the steel (higher than brass) and allow them to cool slowly in an oven.

[tankerman]

The Shooting Times article was about reloading Wolf steel straight wall 45-acp cases up to 3 times. Rifled cases are much different, I will not be reloading any steel cases and certainly not rifle cases that have shoulders and are put under approximately 3 times more pressure than the 45acp.