[50calshooter]

Hello been loading along time and always trown steel cases away but I just got over 2K of these WWII vintage cases they went right through my LNL was wondering if you have to adjust the powder charge because of the steel case. Probaly load 200SWC my sig likes those. thanks ahead of time for the help.

[jcwit]

Keep a few as a curiosity, then throw the rest away.

Last summer I did a bunch of experiments with steel and alu cases. Yes it can be done. Is it worth it? Not in my opinion. Do I recommend it? Not at all.

[Walkalong]

Collectors may be interested in them, maybe.

[jcwit]

I forgot to mention that I did find a real good use for steel cases, and I do keep a few different sizes for this.

They make excellant hole punches, really they do.

[fatelk]

As to your specific question of powder charge, the ones I've loaded (few hundred over the years, USGI and Wolf) I just used the same charge I used in the brass cases. I was just using a mild charge of Bullseye or something though, with a cast bullet. There didn't seem to be any real difference in case volume, but if I wanted to use a heavier load I would have definitely worked it up slowly.

I eventually came to the same conclusion as the others here. It's really not a big deal to use them, but nowadays I just chuck them and use brass. If you want to give them a try for yourself, don't let us talk you out of it. I wouldn't.:D

[Old Fuff]

Some of those steel cases had narrow extractor grooves, and could break an extractor in a short time. After having two claws in two guns torn off I relagated steel cases for 1917 revolver use only. :uhoh:

[rcmodel]

+1

The WWII GI stuff was notorious for breaking 1911 extractors.

The only 1911 extractor I have personally broke in 40+ years was from shooting WWII surplus steel-case.

There is some speculation it was intended for M-3 grease-guns.

Jeff Cooper wrote of oiling all his steel-case .45 ACP ammo while fighting in the south pacific so it would extract easier.

rc

[NuJudge]

Do remember that they were corrosively primed, and either wash with a water based mixture and dry, or clean your bore with a water based mixture.

I seem to remember some WWII steel cased ammo using a different sized primer. You might want to measure a sample.

CDD