reloading steel case

[tvfreakarms]

My buddy is looking to reload steel cased ammo (ak47, 74 & .223). He's looking into buying the berdan primers.

I was wondering if it's worth it and has anyone done this before.

I read in the past that people saids its not worth or can't be done.

But it seems people on youtube are doing it.

Just curious on your thoughts.

[NorCalDustin]

A source for Berdan Primers is the real problem...

[TKM]

I wouldn't try it in anything but carbide dies.

Can he save enough over brass cases to make it worth the extra time and effort?

[Hoagiem]

Its not the primer that is different it's the primer pocket, the berdan has two holes where the boxer has only one. Too time consuming to line up the deprimer tool for brass and I'm not sure if the steel cases are safely reloadable.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

My buddy is looking to reload steel cased ammo (ak47, 74 & .223). He's looking into buying the berdan primers.

I was wondering if it's worth it and has anyone done this before.

I read in the past that people saids its not worth or can't be done.

But it seems people on youtube are doing it.

Just curious on your thoughts.

It is possible to do. It is also possible to convert berdan primer pockets to boxer according to a utube vid I watched. Finding the primers would be the major issue. I've never seen ever seen them.

Is it worth it is a subjective question. It's not for me but if you are desperate, then that's another story.

If you should find carbide dies for these cartridges, let us know. Never seen them either for bottle neck cartridges.

[glassparman]

It can be done but is it worth it? As others stated above, the hard part is getting the old primer out. The hydraulic method is messy at best. I ground down a punch real slow so as not to destroy the heat treat and used it to punch out the primers on 7.62x39 cases. It can be done but I think I just bought the last brick of 5000 berdan primers from Grafs. Again as others said above, Berdan primers are getting hard to find again.

If you choose to try to reload steel, use a good lube and use much more than you would on brass. Also, you will have to remove the decapping pin and if you have Lee dies, that means cutting the pin off. RCBS the pin is removable.

[Gowking]

You might get more info posting this in the reloading forum but it can be done. Is it worthwhile??? Only in extreme cases where steel is the only thing available.

[kcstott]

Actually I'm not sure if it can be done. Reloading dies are sized for brass not steel. Steel needs to be over bent or in this case over sized, meaning to size the case much smaller then the maximum compression of a brass shell due to it's natural springiness. Brass is far more ductile and malleable then steel.
I think you will run out of stroke on the press before it's properly sized.
Also you will need to use a very aggressive sizing lube.

[BisDak]

I thought steel case is a one time use only. Prone to cracking, rust and less stretchability. And berdans + steel are a pain to work with. Finding the component alone is tough.

It would interesting if he can do it.


.

[Chief-7700]

Waste of time and hard on the equipment..