Reloading Steel Cases (Boxer Primed)

[RMM]

Just a quick update: 

Fired 20 of these last weekend, but I only got one load over the chrono before the sun was too low.  All of the steel cased ammo functioned flawlessly and was shooting good groups at 100 yards out of a 16" AR 1/9 w/ scope.  I will load these cases again and see how they do, I will probably throw them away after this second reload.

As I suspected the case volume must be significantly lower with these vs. most brass cases.  I had one 55 gr. load that ran ~100 fps faster out of the steel case (3000 fps vs. 2905 fps) than LC brass.  I was still way below max and the primer didn't flatten at all but like I said earlier, work up if you're going to use these cases and you will probably end up below max data to achieve the same pressure levels.  I need to fill the cases with water sometime and see what the volume difference is.

These are going to be the perfect cases for times when you can't or don't want to pick up brass.  Also, this stuff is everywhere since people always throw it away.  More free "brass" for me!

[sqlbullet]

Thanks for the update.

[gandog56]

These are going to be the perfect cases for times when you can't or don't want to pick up brass.  Also, this stuff is everywhere since people always throw it away.  More free "brass" for me!

Yep, but there's also a lot of brass cases laying around...for ME!   

[RMM]

Just a quick update:
We have fired well over 100 of the steel case reloads, no malfunctions yet and they are as accurate as anything else (as far as we can tell).  The velocities do get bumped a bit vs. brass.  Most case necks split after the second firing and resizing, but a select few lived long enough to make it to a third firing.

Here are a few 50 gr. V-Max over 21.5 gr. IMR 4198 w/ CCI-450 primer

I've also been loading 65 Sierra GameKings over 26.0 gr. of Varget w/ CCI-450 primer.

As you can tell, these have been doing good work on the varmint at the farm (all one shot DRT so far)
A few from last weekend:

Coyote @ 200 yards at night (lights are from tractor)

Badger @ 150 yards in the evening

As an additional side note, I am using Hornady Unique case lube with these in generous amounts and sizing isn't too difficult.  I wipe off the excess with a towel but leave the residual residue on the cases for lubrication and rust prevention.  I have a few cases that I have purposely left in my bathroom by the shower for about a month now to test for corrosion resistance, they get wet every day but there is only a very faint amount of rust just starting to form in a few places that is easily wiped away. 

[RMM]

Another more update:
This project has been a total success as far as I am concerned.  No jams (yet) and no problems with accuracy.  My father has been using them for a few months now and has shot dozens of varmint with them over the past few months.  Last week, his cousin borrowed the rifle and shot an Antelope with one of the 65 SMK loads.  No worries about chasing brass!

[sqlbullet]

RMM

Thanks for doing this legwork and reporting back in such detail.  In most of the guns I own brass casings are easy to find.  But a few they are less so (looking at you guys Mosin Nagants).

Once I get moved back into my house and have some time to reload again, I plan to put what you have shared to work!