Anyone reload *I* Brass?

[realbuffdriver]

I picked up a hundred or so .45ACP brass with the headstamp *I*.

Do any of you recognize this? Is it good brass to reload?

Thanks!

RealBuffDriver

 

[Mal H]

I don't recognize that headstamp. Was the 'I' turned sideways, more like this *-*? If so, that's Starline brass and it's very good.

 

[Bula]

Independance Ammo. I've reloaded their .357 brass. It seems like it's good brass. They size fine and reload just like WIN, or RP cases. For 45 acp, I say load'em till they split. I only throw out AMERC (too many stories) and SB brass (primers don't seat as easy). Good luck.

 

[rbernie]

I reload a bunch of it in 45ACP. <shrug> It works ok - nothing to distinguish it (good or bad) from the Remchester stuff...

 

[EddieCoyle]

I reload it all the time. It was the "bargain" brand at my local shop so I used it before I started reloading to build up my stash of brass. I have about 1000 cases. It loads fine although the primer pockets can sometimes be a bit snug. Not too tight to load though.

 

[ninja45]

+1

I use them all the time and had no problems with them.

Ninja45

 

[dtalley]

++ I have around 100 that I have reloaded without any problems. I don't even know where I got them, either range pickups or from a gunshow

 

[realbuffdriver]

Sounds like a winner.

Thanks for the replies. I will add it to my stash of brass!

RealBuffDriver

 

[Jim Watson]

Independence, *I* headstamp, is made by CBC/Mag-Tech in Brazil for Alliant to distribute through Federal and Speer connections. Brass is OK, I just pitch it in the mixed brass box for use in IDPA.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Brass Bonanza!

Realbuffdriver,

Thanks for the good karma!

After my last post, I went to my club range to shoot a bit and clean up. I'm the range master; so I build target stands, empty the barrels, empty the brass bucket, and make sure that everything is neat and tidy.

While I was there, a few new members came down (younger guys) to do some shooting. I let them shoot my S&W 500 a few times and they noticed me saving the brass. They asked if I reloaded .45 ACP and I told them that I did. They said they were shooting .45 ACP and they'd save the brass for me. I went to the clubhouse as they started blasting away.

I went back an hour and a half later as they were finishing up, and they presented me with a 5 gallon bucket containing 1000 rounds of once fired *I* brass!

 

[HSMITH]

If it is made by MagTech it is good brass. Independence ammo is less than stellar by a wide margin last time I tried it, but maybe they have turned a new leaf!!

I have loaded some MagTech CBC headstamp 38's and 45's well over 20 times, it holds up fine.

 

[AmbulanceDriver]

Went shooting today, local range had some Independence ammo (they apparently can't get their hands on anything from CCI Blazer right now, they're apparently too busy cranking out all the 9mm they can?). Anyways, shot about 150 rounds through my Colt 1991-A1.

First, I have to say this is some of the dirtiest ammo I have ever shot. Visible smoke, but definitely lower flash than some other stuff I've shot.

Second, I suspect this is a peculiarity to my gun (I suspect I may need a new recoil spring, actually) but I was flinging brass into the next county. About half was bouncing off the lane divider hard enough to hit me, and the other half was being flung over my head against the back wall, ten feet behind me.

Finally, EVERY single piece of brass had a dent in it about half way up the wall of the brass. EVERY one. I may post this question in the handgun forum, but anyone know what might be causing this? These dents were significant enough that I decided not to pick up my brass to try to reload it. I haven't noticed it with other brands of brass...

 

[flutedchamber]

The brass could be hitting the side or back of your ejection port on it's way out, which could be due to too soft a recoil spring.
Find out what pound recoil spring your pistol uses, and go up to the next heavier spring (usually a 2 pound difference). That should cure your dent problem. Ps most of those dents will iron out in the sizing die, and when they are shot.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

I have picked up and re-loaded all manner of .45 headstamped brass (most of the strangely marked stuff is military). I have one simple rule: ABFA!
That is, anything but Amerc

 

[kludge]

I recently bought once fired brass from Magtech(?). Had a mix of headstamps (CBC and *I*) The *I* brass was much easier to resize (softer? thinner? I don't know). I haven't done the second reload yet.

 

[MD_Willington]

I asked about the *I* headstamp here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=227399&highlight=headstamp

I belted off quite a few rounds of it, it was free for the picking in a big communal box last time I went shooting, also had .40 and .45ACP... I still have some of it in 9mm, JHP.