Winchester .40 S & W brass

[Newcatwalt]

I was wondering if anyone out there knows if there is any difference between brass that is headstamped "Winchester 40 S&W" and brass that is headstamped "WIN NT 40 S&W".

From what I observe both seem to be made by Winchester and both seem to be identical except for the headstamp. Does anyone know more on this subject? I'm thinking of reloading with this brass and I would like to know if I need to keep the brass seperate or if I can mix them together.

Thanks.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

I believe in 40 S&W the brass is the same. In .45 acp they use small pistol primers.

 

[rfwobbly]

Weigh 10 of each type brass together on your powder scale. Compare the 2 weights. Winchester is more of a marketing company these days, so the different markings most probably come from 2 different sub-contractors. So 'yes' there could be differences.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Winchester marked brass is standard brass. The "WIN NT" is Winchester's eco friendly brass (But still like standard brass). "NT" brass was loaded with a cleaner burning powder and a completely copper jacket to prevent lead poisoning or what ever. As long as you are aware that the .45 ACP "WIN NT" brass uses smaller primers (WSP) ands all .40 S&W use small pistol primers.

Load them just like you would any other brass. There is vertually no difference.

 

[wolfeyes]

Actually the NT shells contain no lead at all.
The bullet core is tin and NT stands for non-toxic.
Don't think there is any difference in the powder.
They can be reloaded just like any other brass case
but they do require small pistol primers........jh

 

[The Bushmaster]

Last I checked...All .40 S&W require small pistol primers...

 

[Walkalong]

NT ammo starts off like a JHP as far as the copper cup goes, and they use a "cap" on the front with the jacket rolled over it. The Hornady "encapsulated bullets use a "cap" on the rear, which in my opinion is not a good way to go. Putting it in the front is better for accuracy. IMHO of course. I have some 9MM 115 Gr "encapsulated" bullets, and they don't shoot all that well, and Hornady bullets usually shoot very well.

And yes, I have never seen a .40 case that used large primers either.

 

[Riss]

Not sure of any case dimension differences. Someone needs to do an autopsy and some careful measurements. 45 acp NT cases are small primer instead of the usual large primer.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Yes Riss. You are correct. But the original poster was asking about .40 S&W cases. I interjected the .45 ACP comment to insure no one got confused between the two cases. The .40 S&W and the .45 ACP...

 

[Newcatwalt]

Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate learning something new.

 

[menohearclicksound]

I have to tell you that you will curse the day you you found that brass. The primer pockets are crimped and when you try to reload them you will find it hard to get a primer in the pocket if you can even do that. I some how ended up with some in my brass and wish I would have never picked it up. I can't get a primer to seat in my 550 to save my life with the NT cases. If I were you I would toss them, or you can try them out and let me know how it goes for you. If you want I have some with live primers stuck in them you can have (stuck as in not seated and sticking out of the base). And to end my rant about the 40 NT cases they suck and I hate them.