I am sure there is a post out thier for reloading steel CCI 45Auto casings. Searched it with no results. Can the steel casings be reloaded, and why are the primers smaller than other 45 auto ammo. If they can be reloaded what is the size of the primer?

i have never seen any cci steel casing, the only ones i have ever seen are aluminum and they are berdan primed not reloadable , if there is any such steel casing i would say they are not reloadable.

After putting a magnet to the casing they are aluminium. i was hand priming and ran accross one, sized it and noticed the primer pocket was way to small, Well thanks for the correction, i will throw them in the recycling bin:}

A buddy of mine reloaded some russian steel cases. It worked but were tough to re size

I reload steel for lost brass matches, I find it runs through my dies easier than brass.....

CCI Aluminum is small primer and I dont have small primers so I have no use for it. if it were large I'd reload it for the same purpose as the steel.

If you look on the case head you should see the letters "N" and "R". That's either nonreloadable or not reloadable. This is for future reference.

Wolf steel cases will load and function fine in 45ACP. I have done it a bunch. Just for "nostalgia" sake.

During WWII, the US military used steel cases because of the shortage of brass. I thought it would be neat to load some with the original type military load and go shoot them. Even used them in matches when I shot a gallery type PPC. Since it was inside, I could always find my "brass" and be able to tell it from other's!

It isn't as ductile as brass and I can only get 5 or 6 reloads out of it, but it will work!

FWIW

I have reloaded some aluminum cases just to see if it would work in an emergency. Standard pressure .45 ACP can be done, but the cases split easily if the mouth is belled too much prior to seating the bullets. I would reload aluminum only as a last resort, and only if nothing else is available. And steel is a much better alternative to aluminum.

Dave Sinko

I don't know what dies you are using, but steel cases need about twice the force to size as brass in my Dillon 650, & I use OS case lube on the steel to help prevent any galling too. No, steel cases should not be reloaded, even though they can be. Definitely not alumn either. Alum has almost zero ductility. The case springs back when you size it & bullet/case mouth tension is all over the place. My best target loads in brass yield less than 25fps std dev. In alumn, it's over 100fps! Way too inconsistant. Same for steel, less ductile than brass & the more you relaod them, the worse it gets. WHy? I pick up more brass @ my local IDPA matches than I shoot every week. Amazzing how many guys are shooting factory ammo, 150rds every week??

This may be a slight thread hijack but has anyone seen or tried any of these?
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: 45 Auto :: 45 Auto 230 GR HAP® Steel Match™

They are Hornady 45acp with steel cases and berdan primers.

__________________
U.S.A.F---E-7--Retired

What??????

Ummm what????

Aluminum is VERY ductile but it work hardens easily with resizing and flaring resulting brittle fractures.

And I use Hornady dies. And no I don't constantly reload steel, most I've done is 5 times just for kicks, no splits btw, once is enough just so I don't have to chase my brass when I shoot SS. Revolver is another game nice 6 piece moon clipped clumps are great. I also don't tumble the steel and wear off the poly coating cause they're pretty damn clean when I pick them up.

How you flare a case is important, that's why they crack at the mouth.