For you brass scroungers. FM "brass" (no not the interior lip) Brass plated steel

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Rule3

Rule3

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This may be be old news to some, but I had not encountered it before.

There is so much junk out there now you need to triple check what you pick up.

When picking up range brass (yes I still do, can't stop) I have always ran a large magnet over the pile to pull out metal, staples, and other unwanted stuff.

So I pulled out some 9mm "brass" Headstamp FM 9mm Luger.

Seems it is is Freedom Munitions. Looks just like brass, but is actually steel with a brass plating!

Sold as American Steel.

https://www.freedommunitions.com/ammunition/pistol/9mm/9mm-luger-115-gr-rn-steel-new.html
 
Yuck, now I'll have to use a magnet before sorting. At least it's an easy fix.
 
I just so happen to use magnets to separate my SS pins after wash. If an empty case sticks it gets pitched.
Its frustrating that they even exist! Like a wolf in sheep's clothing...
 
I used to run across then in S&B. I had several & sometimes one would slip throw. It sizes a little harder & you can tell it's different but it still makes good ammo. I'd just go ahead & load it then leave it after I shoot it.
 
That FM steel stuff shoots pretty great for me. I'm a fan of these guys for loaded ammo.

But, like walkalong I have had to buy a magnet to go through brass. I got mine from China freight for $20. 250 lbs if I remember right. Sucks the steel right out of the pile!
 
Another brand to look out for is ProJecta headstamps. It's sold as Maxxtech (or Maxtech) brand. It's a steel case that looks like nickel. It is boxer primed and it has the inner shelf as well.

And, yes, I have a couple of magnets near the bench and I go over any brass stash as I sort them.
 
As long as its Boxer primed, its no real issue if some slip in and get reloaded. I've reloaded a lot of the .45ACP Wolf/Tula before they started being Berdan primed. Never an issue, I'd notice some rust after a few re-loadings and toss them, so I never got any to the point of split necks or other "wear out" issues.

When a Berdan primed one slips through its real easy to break a decapping pin -- This is one place the Lee carbide sizer die is ahead of the game.

The lips, or "shelf" is not an issue unless you are pushing maximum loads and/or are using long bullets that would protrude inside the case past the shelf.

When I pick up brass. I sort by caliber as I pick them up and put them in old ammo trays (the ones from Wolf .45ACP ammo work great!) base down so before I dump them into storage bins before cleaning, so I can at a glance look for split mouths and Berdan primed cases.
 
I have a "tool retriever" (magnet on a telescoping rod like an antenna) because I was once fooled by copper washed steel cases; the brass plated steel cases are something new, but I am already in the habit of running a magnet through the pickings anyway.
 
Hey, this gives me a great new idea: steel-plated brass cases! All of the other brass scroungers at the range mysteriously begin leaving yours alone...
 
Hey, this gives me a great new idea: steel-plated brass cases! All of the other brass scroungers at the range mysteriously begin leaving yours alone...
Click to expand...

Nowhere near as clever as small primer .45ACP brass!
 
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