A reminder…

[blackd24]

I was loading a bunch of 9mm and some of the SIG cases didn’t quite feel right. I just thought maybe the brass was thicker than the other brands… well, as others have mentioned on here, some of the SIG brass is actually steel cased.

I went back through my pile of brass with my magnet and found about 20 more cases.

My 9mm die is scratched and will need replaced.

Be mindful of SIG headstamped brass and buy a magnet!!! Like this one:

Amazon.com

 

[Yarddog]

I could always tell the brass from the steel. Just by color ; )
H/D

 

[JmacD]

I could always tell the brass from the steel. Just by color ; )
H/D

Sig has some that’s plated…

 

[blackd24]

Yes, it’s coated to look like brass

 

[Walkalong]

9mm Sellior & Belliot

 

[AJC1]

I use one of these... also great for picking up tumbling pins.

 

[tmd16556]

I’ve taken to depriming and cleaning first. Then when pulling the stainless pins any steel will show up. Some S&B is steel too. Most isn’t but some is. A magnet is your friend.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Some big magnets there.

 

[lightman]

Thanks for the heads up.

Zinc wheelweights, steel cases, what other challenges do we need???

 

[Zendude]

Thanks for the heads up.

Zinc wheelweights, steel cases, what other challenges do we need???

Yup. There’s a lot of evil in this world.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

What a bunch of jerks!! They make em look like brass because people would be turned off if they knew what they're buying

 

[Palladan44]

So did they look like Nickel Plated brass then? Shiny like a mirror?

 

[bullseye308]

I’d expect better from SIG. That stepped case is no joy either when you come across one and didn’t even know they were a thing.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

I’d expect better from SIG. That stepped case is no joy either when you come across one and didn’t even know they were a thing.

As @Walkalong 's post shows, some unscrupulous brands seemingly wash the case in some copper or appearing alloy to make it looks as if the steel case is made of brass

 

[dartor]

Run a magnet over 223 cases also. I've found many.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

9mm Sellior & Belliot
View attachment 1186751

That magnet looks like it came out of a magnetron. We use them at work for ultraviolet generation to cure ink. Microwaves use magnetrons also.



I have to use my aluminum bunny pan on a regular basis now and I put a rare earth magnet on my LNL-AP case feeder, per jmorris's suggestion.
These are also Sig brass.
You can't tell by looking at them that they are brass plated steel.
You have to use a good magnet.

 

[Walkalong]

That magnet looks like it came out of a magnetron

Or an old speaker. (Is that a magnetron in those?)

Microwaves use magnetrons also.

We throw away a lot of bad microwaves at work, I have a bunch of those magnets.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I tried a couple of different magnets and found no steel in the few SIG 45ACP cases I have.

Steel cased ammo of any type is prohibited at my range and the RSOs check non-regulars. But I’m a regular and had no idea I could actually be using it. But I guess I’d figure it out when I loaded it. No?

 

[Soonerpesek]

As @Walkalong 's post shows, some unscrupulous brands seemingly wash the case in some copper or appearing alloy to make it looks as if the steel case is made of brass

Although unfortunate and yet another thing to watch for…..
I’m guessing the manufacturers of such cases do it to keep them from rusting/oxidizing…

 

[buck460XVR]

I’m guessing the manufacturers of such cases do it to keep them from rusting/oxidizing…

Yep....similar to the use of lacquer type coatings. It's also supposed to help with ease of extraction.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I reload those SIG cases with bimetallic 115gr FMJ-RN steel-lead bullets I bought in bulk from a Russian importer back in the 90’s. They run fine. I just leave them laying at the indoor range. If I get some handed back to me by the kids after a shoot I run them through again and haven’t had any problems yet. Brass-washed steel reloads just like brass but it’s a little stiffer in the die. I think I’ve split maybe one or two in the last year; maybe more but it’s not a big deal if I do.

I load the SIGs as plinking fodder along with other less-than-desirable mixed brass in single stage loaders and tumble in dry media so that might explain it. Fiocchi and MX have some similar products made from Muntz Metal that I load with SIG and Blazer for plinking. They don’t cut down into 9Mak very nicely.

 

[GBExpat]

If this detail is not prominently displayed (in print) on the product packaging and in their product-specific advertising they_are_being_JERKS.

... although I typed JERKS, I am thinking of a small assortment of other terms that would fit, but not in a family-friendly forum, y'know?

 

[rfwobbly]

It's not just SIG. I've seen S&B and others as well.

Placing a strong magnet in the funnel at the output port of the Dillon case feeder catches the 1 or 2 that sneak by the mass inspections.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It's not just SIG. I've seen S&B and others as well.

Placing a strong magnet in the funnel at the output port of the Dillon case feeder catches the 1 or 2 that sneak by the mass inspections.

I use the base for a dial indicator. It has an “off-on switch.” And it’s a multitasker in the work area.

 

[mdi]

Personally I don't think the ammo manufacturers are "out to screw" reloaders. One should be able to tell, by sizing, is a case is brass, stainless steel or soft steel. Sounds like plain old "piling on" about "jerks". Did Sig say they were brass? What harm was done to any guns tools etc., from plated steel cases? Documented cases or "bubba's cousin's friend'...

FWIW: I have fired thousands of steel cased 7.62x39, 5.45x39 and 9mm, and possibly 45 ACP with no apparent damage to any gun. No need to pick then up either...