Why are steel cases non-reloadable?

[dwightlooi]

OK, this may sound silly. But, I haven't found a satisfactory answer so I am asking the question again...

Why are steel cases non-reloadable? Assuming that the steel case is boxer primed (yes I know that's rare), assuming that you don't mind any potential extra wear on your dies. Why can't steel cases (or aluminum for that matter) be reloaded?

When the steel cases were originally drawn, their necks were over sized, the bullet is seated and a die is used to close the neck down so it holds the projectile in place. In this regard the factory production isn't that different from brass cases.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

My best guess is because steel isnt as malleable as brass. It cant be resized properly?

[bohoki]

steel can be reloaded its just if you feel it is worth the potential problems

aluminum has a different fatigue rate i would not reload it

[bitethebullet]

I may have something to do with the work-hardening of steel. The case is drawn under quite a bit of pressure, fired and expanded while also being heated. If you add drawn again and also fired....some things gotta give...I'm just speculating based of the steel I work with everyday which may or may not be the same as what cases are made out of...IDK

[CSACANNONEER]

Most are berdan primed and a real PITA to deal with. Also, you need a source for the right size berdan primers to fit your cases.

[Chief-7700]

Steel is hard on reloading dies.

[Capybara]

I know three cheapskates who all reload steel. All three are retired. Makes sense, dealing with steel Berdan is very time consuming. They have to wax the cases so they don't rust. I've shot some of their reloaded 7.62x54r though, worked great.

[cruddymutt]

I have a Saiga 223 that destroys brass when it ejects them (dust cover). I reload Boxer primed steel 223 all the time for that rifle. I usually ditch them after 4 or 5 reloads though and I wont reload any that have any indication of rust.

[alfred1222]

Its not good for the dies IIRC

[rsrocket1]

If it's not good for dies, it's not good for your chamber either, not!

Mild steel won't hurt your dies much more than brass, especially if they are lubricated. If the dies last 10 years instead of 20, I wouldn't mind springing for a new die at that time.


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[sl0re10]

I can't even deal with nickle plated brass. To tough to deal with.

[Noonanda]

Tulammo is steel case boxer primed. Ive thought about trying to reload it but don t need to as I have tons of brass cased ammo

[BruinGuy]

Tulammo is steel case boxer primed. Ive thought about trying to reload it but don t need to as I have tons of brass cased ammo

I believe that their .223 is boxer primed, but the 7.62x39, 5.45, and 7.62x54r is still Berdan primed. I haven't shot any in a while though so maybe someone can confirm?

.223 range brass is pretty cheap and plentiful, so I haven't tried reloading steel, but if someone made 5.45 boxer primed I would.

[SWalt]

Different expansion and contraction rates between steel and brass. When you fire the case expands, grips, and seals the chamber which gives the pressure created with only 1 way to go, out of the muzzle. As the pressure decreases the case contracts enough so it no longer grips the wall of the chamber. Brass will contract enough to lose its grip on the chamber and allow it to be extracted. Steel doesn't, making extraction much harder and the chances of a stuck case much greater. The lacquer on steel cases doesn't let the steel fully expand to the chamber walls by providing a cushion between the case and chamber wall, and helps as a lubricant. It also provides rust/corrosion protection. Brass is more malleable and can be worked more than steel which becomes brittle faster than brass, which leads to a greater chance of case failure. I would never reload steel. Having to re coat it with lacquer and the chance of failure being much greater isn't worth it.

[mif_slim]

I reload steel for hunting so for expensive brass I don't worry too much when I loose em. lol....I haven't seen lacquered ammo since early 2000. Theres not much problems with reloading steel but you can tell that its harder then brass.

The mistake people usually make is hearing "Steel" they automatically think about AR50 steel plates or something....The steel used for ammo are waaaaaaaaaaay softer then that and is resizeable. But I wouldn't recommend it if your a first time reloader...not saying Im a pro either.