Why are steel cases non-reloadable?

[64physhy]

I've bought the LAX reloads before, and a fair amount of it is steel cased.

[JamesY]

I've reloaded steel cases before. Only issue I had was I didn't crimp the bullets. I noticed one bullet was set back and jammed the bolt non an AR so I fed the remaining rounds he at a time. They all fired fine. Would I do it again? Sure.

[Cowboy T]

Of course you can reload steel cases. I've done it myself with Boxer-primed Wolf .45 ACP cases. They're currently on their fifth loading and still goin' strong. Well, one did split, and when it did, it split just like I've seen brass cases split. I see no disadvantage to reloading Boxer/steel as long as it's range pick-up.

Regarding dies, I use carbide resizing dies, so "extra wear", if any, is not a problem. Matter of fact, the .45 ACP steel cases feel pretty much just like the brass cases when going through the resizer die. Actually, they go in a little easier than the nickel-plated ones.

I've also done a few .357 Magnum cases (Tulammo) that were Boxer-primed. Those lasted five reloadings before they started to split. The last one was done after 9 reloads. I'd say, pretty well done for free range pick-up.

[Noonanda]

Where did you get the 5.45 dies from ??? I have been able to find multiple sources of 5.45 bullets, but have yet to find any dies for it.

5.45 would be a definite candidate for justifying re-loading steel cases for as they are almost all boxer primed, even though they are all steel cases (AFAIK).

Got them from a custom Group Buy from Lee Precision. Just happened to read it at the right place/right time. I listed the dies on here but eventually sold em on ebay as I was getting lowball offers for them

[Sunday]

I have reloaded quite a bit of boxer primed 45 acp and 40
S@W loads one time with great success. Now if I find the cases I pick them up.

[milotrain]

I like polishing steel cases and then black oxide coating them. Then top them with a crappy bullet and leave the case uncharged. Stick a spent primer in the bottom and now you have perfect dummies that you can't mix up (as long as you don't actually shoot steel cased ammo)

[xrayoneone]

I've reloaded plenty of it. I have even necked up Tula 223 to 6x45 and it works great.