Reload Used Recalled Casings or Toss?

[RDW]

Hi, everyone. This might be a stupid question, but I'm still relatively new to reloading so it seems work asking: Should I toss the used brass from the 45 ACP recall of American Eagle ammo, or could it still be safe to use?

Before the American Eagle recall came out, I went through a box of 45 ACP that was part of the recall --actually, I went through 2 boxes of the ammo but only 1 had a lot number from the recall list, so I have around 100 empty casings ready to reload, half of which are from the recalled box. I believe the problem with the ammo was double-charging: What do you think about the brass in terms of reloading? My guess is just toss them all, even through they look OK, because the cases may have been weakened. The brass appears to be the same (can't see any distinguishing markings or ID number on the brass), so I can't tell which is from the recalled box and which is from the "good" box.

No problem when I fired the recalled rounds, by the way. I didn't know about the recall at the time, of course, but I saved the boxes to use for the reloaded rounds, so when the recall notice came out, I checked, and sure enough, one of the empty boxes had a lot number from the recall.

What do you think? I did a quick search of associated threads and didn't see this come up (sorry if I missed it). I'm still waiting to hear from Federal on what they recommend for the used brass (I still have a full box of the recalled stuff as well), but I thought I'd check with you as well.

Thanks.

 

[rodregier]

Do you what was the circumstances of the recall? Most common recalls are due to powder issues. (Too much, to little, wrong kind). Under those circumstances, the cartridge cases would be fine.

There was a design issue with early generation Federal .40 S&W brass, but .45 ACP has been around "forever". Don't recollect hearing about a recall based on commercial brass issues for a "mature" cartridge.

 

[918v]

Federal 45 ACP brass is top notch. If it was double charged, you would have known it when you shot it.

 

[RDW]

Hello again. I may have been misleading with the title of my original post (trying to be informative and specific at the same time). The cartridges were recalled, not the brass, and I was getting ready to reload the brass from the recalled cartridges when I got the recall notice on the new ammo.

When I searched earlier threads about the recall, I did see information from several people who had already used the ammo with no problems, so I'm guessing it was a fairly limited problem with the new ammo. The recall went out in late February, I believe.

I posted in the Reloading area, rather than one of the other thread areas, because even though the original issue was with new ammunition, my question has to do with reloading the spent casings. Should I have posted in a different forum?

 

[RandyP]

I believe that the reason for the recall was the possibility that some of the rounds may have received a double charge of powder?

As such the empty brass was not recalled and should be just fine to use.

 

[howlnmad]

As 918v said, if they were double charged you would've known and wouldn't be thinking of reloading them. Load them up and shoot them.

 

[GLOOB]

There's a sticky on the forums about this recall. They may have used the wrong powder. I didn't read anything about a double charge. I suppose if the wrong powder was twice as powerful for the same charge, then it would technically be a double?!

If the cases look good, I'd load 'em.

 

[red-demon652]

yes they are definately ok to reload.

 

[RDW]

Just to close this out, Federal contacted me (called me on the phone, as a matter of fact) about returning of 45's I still have and confirmed what you've all been telling me: Yes, it's OK to reload the brass.