So you say you don't load steel cases.

jmorris · November 2, 2009, 12:01 PM

I guess you learn something new every day. Loading up some ammo for next weekend I decided to use up an old bag of 9mm that had wolf steel cases mixed in. I figured a quick pass with a magnet would suck up the wolf and leave the brass behind.

I was a little surprised to see brass cases stuck to the magnet too. Upon further inspection I noticed that the only “brass” cases on the magnet were S&B. A quick pass on the disk sander and the sparks showed that they were just brass plated steel. FWIW I also tested 40 & 45 S&B and they are not plated steel like the 9mm.

Christchild · November 2, 2009, 12:25 PM

I went to the Range yesterday for a bit of Load Development. While I was there I picked up quite a few cases. Some .243 Win., some .270 Win. (and 1 30/06) and 45/70 Gov. Out of the 11 pieces of Near-New .270 Win., 2 were S&B.

Short trip (about 1/2 an hour) through the Tumbler, then wiped as they came out, time to Full Length size the .270. All pieces went thru the FL die, other than the S&B. I even resized the 30/06 down to .270 Win. With this S&B CRAP, last night was the first time that Not Only did I break 2 Decapping Pins, I BENT the Threaded end of the Zip Spindle that the Expander Ball/Plug threads onto, by probably 15 degrees or so.

I was able to get everything back straight, and finished the small job, but since You've posted this Thread, JMorris, I'm now thinking I may have stumbled upon some of S&B's steel crap.

They were brass on the outside!!!

mtnbkr · November 2, 2009, 01:36 PM

Did you check to see if the S&B was boxer or berdan primed?

Chris

Crosshair · November 2, 2009, 01:42 PM

I load the Wolf 45 auto steel cases as they are Boxer primed. They only last 2-3 loadings before splitting at the case mouth, but they were free and they work so why not.

jmorris · November 2, 2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Did you check to see if the S&B was boxer or berdan primed?

Boxer

mtnbkr · November 2, 2009, 02:03 PM

I was referring to Christchild, who was bending decapping pins with the S&B brass. I suspect it was berdan primed. It may be crimped, but more likely is Berdan due to it's Euro sourcing.

Chris

Claude Clay · November 2, 2009, 02:11 PM

S&B 9mm recently may/must of changed cause i also have taken to culling them.
its a dillon SDB and they do not size or deprime easy and they are tight to take a new primer.

S&B i have prior to last winter are fine.

FrankenMauser · November 2, 2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

S&B i have prior to last winter are fine.

Same here.

The really old stuff is great.

The newer (1-3 years old) stuff ranges from acceptable to marginal.

The brand new stuff seems to be trash.

Crankylove · November 2, 2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

The brand new stuff seems to be trash.

What he said ^

New newer S&B brass I have picked up, for both rifle and pistol calibers, has been total crap. Crooked case mouths, oversize primer pockets, case heads with only 1/2 the rim (not broken off, just not there), .357 brass with rims so thick it jams the cylinder, brass cracking on the first sizing, LOTS of off-center flash holes, etc...........it all goes in the scrap bucket now, I don't even try and reload it, just a waste of time.

plainsman456 · November 2, 2009, 11:22 PM

I have reloaded some WWII 45acp cases,just to see if it could be done.It takes a lot more effort to re-size than brass,but they worked.I would not do it again though.Good Luck

November 2, 2009, 12:01 PM	#1
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	So you say you don't load steel cases. I guess you learn something new every day. Loading up some ammo for next weekend I decided to use up an old bag of 9mm that had wolf steel cases mixed in. I figured a quick pass with a magnet would suck up the wolf and leave the brass behind. I was a little surprised to see brass cases stuck to the magnet too. Upon further inspection I noticed that the only “brass” cases on the magnet were S&B. A quick pass on the disk sander and the sparks showed that they were just brass plated steel. FWIW I also tested 40 & 45 S&B and they are not plated steel like the 9mm.

November 2, 2009, 12:25 PM	#2
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Speaking of S&B.... I went to the Range yesterday for a bit of Load Development. While I was there I picked up quite a few cases. Some .243 Win., some .270 Win. (and 1 30/06) and 45/70 Gov. Out of the 11 pieces of Near-New .270 Win., 2 were S&B. Short trip (about 1/2 an hour) through the Tumbler, then wiped as they came out, time to Full Length size the .270. All pieces went thru the FL die, other than the S&B. I even resized the 30/06 down to .270 Win. With this S&B CRAP, last night was the first time that Not Only did I break 2 Decapping Pins, I BENT the Threaded end of the Zip Spindle that the Expander Ball/Plug threads onto, by probably 15 degrees or so. I was able to get everything back straight, and finished the small job, but since You've posted this Thread, JMorris, I'm now thinking I may have stumbled upon some of S&B's steel crap. They were brass on the outside!!!

November 2, 2009, 01:42 PM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I load the Wolf 45 auto steel cases as they are Boxer primed. They only last 2-3 loadings before splitting at the case mouth, but they were free and they work so why not. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

November 2, 2009, 01:36 PM	#3
mtnbkr Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2000 Location: Manassas, Virginia Posts: 914	Did you check to see if the S&B was boxer or berdan primed? Chris

November 2, 2009, 02:03 PM	#6
mtnbkr Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2000 Location: Manassas, Virginia Posts: 914	I was referring to Christchild, who was bending decapping pins with the S&B brass. I suspect it was berdan primed. It may be crimped, but more likely is Berdan due to it's Euro sourcing. Chris

November 2, 2009, 02:11 PM	#7
Claude Clay Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: CT Posts: 325	S&B 9mm recently may/must of changed cause i also have taken to culling them. its a dillon SDB and they do not size or deprime easy and they are tight to take a new primer. S&B i have prior to last winter are fine.

November 2, 2009, 11:22 PM	#10
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	I have reloaded some WWII 45acp cases,just to see if it could be done.It takes a lot more effort to re-size than brass,but they worked.I would not do it again though.Good Luck