Question on AMERC cases

[Gun 4 Fun]

I have a chance to buy some loaded .44 special ammo for a really good price, but it is all loaded AMERC ammo in their cases. I have read several times that it isn't worth a hoot for reloading, but since I have never used any of their stuff including their cases for loading, I would like to hear from anyone with actual hands on experience in loading their brass. Is it all bad? Just the stuff without the relief groove?

It'll get loaded on a single stage press if that makes any difference. I talked with a guy today that said he has loaded over 40,000 of their .38 cases and only has trouble with the ones that didn't have a relief groove in front of the rim.

I would appreciate any info as far as life span compared to Rem, Win, Fed, etc. Also any pitfalls in reloading it.

Thanks

[yam476]

I don't know much about .44 special AMERC. But for .45ACP the AMERC cases would not chamber in any of my guns.

[whelenshooter]

DON'T reload AMERC brass! It is of VERY poor quality! The stuff is very inconsistent. I had a hard time with my shellholder extracting 38 special brass from my sizing die, and the primer pockets became loose after one reloading with a mild load in both 38 special and 9mm. Avoid the frustration. It may be cheap, but you are getting what you pay for... cheap brass that isn't worth reloading. I just toss the stuff now if I come across it.

[perrazi]

amerc---junk!!!!!!!!!

[Iggy]

I had primers fall out of the cases while trying to insert them in a magazine.

Somewhere in Wyoming there is a badger hole with 48 unfired cartridges in the bottom.

[Gun 4 Fun]

Thanks guys, this is what I wanted to know. I didn't want the ammo so much, but I did want the brass if it was going to be worthwhile.