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You are here: Home / Reloading/Handloading / How To Reload Steel Case Ammo

How To Reload Steel Case Ammo

by: Richard Johnson 19 Comments

reloading steel cases

So…is reloading steel cases possible?  Conventional wisdom says you can’t reload steel case ammo, but reality says you can.

Sure, reloading brass cases are much easier, but you can reload steel cases.  That cheap Wolf 7.62×39 and the surplus 7.62x54r can both be reloaded if you take your time and add a few extra steps to the normal loading process.  Since I believe there is a bit of a tinkerer in every shooter that reloads, this would prove to be an interesting exercise for all of us to work on to improve the existing processes.

Ok, here we go…

There are normally two different reasons given why shooters cannot reload a steel case:  the case material and the primer.  The case material is really not much of a problem.  Brass is softer than steel, so it is easier to work on a press.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t resize steel cases because you can.

Steel isn’t likely to last through as many reloading trips as a brass case will.  That’s just the nature of the material.  However, I’ve talked to hand loaders who have reloaded the same steel rifle cases five or more times before the cases were no longer useable.  Getting four or five uses out of a steel case is not bad, especially considering the price of virgin brass.

reload steel case ammo
Information on how to reload steel case ammo.

Many shooters report steel cases only make it through one or two reloads.  These variations are likely explained through a combination of load pressures and quality of the case (i.e. manufacturer.)  If you are reloading steel cases for pistol calibers, you can probably expect multiple reloadings without any problems due to the lower pressures (than rifle rounds.)

One thing that you definitely need to do when sizing your steel cases is apply a liberal amount of lube.  Even if you are using carbide dies, the lube will help prevent any cases from sticking.  Steel takes a little more force to re-size than brass, and the lube eases the process.

Dealing with the primers is typically the real sticking point for most people who want to reload steel case ammo.  The vast majority of reloaders in the US are using Boxer primers.  This kind of primer has an anvil built into the primer, which allows the primer to ignite without being dependent on the case.  Boxer primed cases have a single, large flash hole in the center of the primer pocket.  If your steel cases use a Boxer primer, reload the steel case as you would with a brass case.

A lot of steel case ammo, however, uses Berdan primers.  Berdan type primers do not have a built in anvil.  Instead they rely on an anvil (essentially a small hump) in the center of the primer pocket, upon which the primer will ignite when struck by the firing pin of a firearm.  Instead of a single, large flash hole, Berdan primed cases typically have two, smaller flash holes on either side of the anvil.  Some cases may have three flash holes.

Trying to seat a Boxer primer in a case designed for Berdan primers will likely just detonate the primer during seating.  Not only is this potentially dangerous, it completely defeats the purpose of reloading.

However, there are options for loading Berdan primed cases:

  • reloading with Berdan primers
  • reloading with modified Boxer primers
  • reloading Boxer primers in modified Berdan cases

Berdan primers are available in the United States.  They tend to be a little harder to find, but the internet makes searching for them a lot easier.  In the past, various international ammo makers have supplied Berdan primers to suppliers in the US.  However, I was only able to confirm that Tula is still selling them in the US.  They seem to only sell two sizes:  one for the 7.62×39 cases and one for the 7.62 NATO (aka .308) cases.  In the past PMC and Magtech have both sold Berdan primers for reloading steel cases.

Removing a used Berdan primer from the case can be accomplished with a special tool that hooks on the outside of the case and pries out the used primer.  For a less expensive, but very effective, option, consider hydraulically pushing out the primer.  This method involves filling the case with a fluid (water in most circumstances) and driving a tight fitting rod (such as a screw driver) into the case mouth.  The rod acts as a piston and forces the water through the flash holes, which in turn push the old primer out.

Reloading with modified Boxer primers can be done, but I do not recommend it.  The process involved manually removing the anvil from the back of each primer with a pick or pin.  Not only is it a slow, tedious process, but it can also be dangerous.  Mess this up and you can have a primer explode in your face.  Again, I do not recommend trying to alter the primer itself.

The last option to reload steel case ammo with Boxer primers is to modify the case itself.  In many/most/all(?) instances, this will require taking a drill to the case to remove the case-integrated anvil and make a center flash hole for the Boxer primer.  Once this is done, it is a matter of finding the correct size Boxer primer that will properly fit the steel case.  Some calibers will have a particular size of Boxer primer that will work without additional modification.

Some cases will not have a good primer pocket to Boxer primer match.  These case will require additional work to make them work correctly.  This might mean drilling a wider pocket or adding material into the pocket to fit a smaller primer.

The below video from MaineJunker shows both the drilling out of an anvil in the primer pocket on a copper-washed steel case and the addition of copper tubing to properly fit a primer.  The case in question is a surplus copper-washed, steel case for the 7.62x54r cartridge.

Once you have the primer issue worked out, then reload the steel case ammo like you would a regular brass case.  Sure, reloading steel cases with Berdan primers offer challenges, but it can be done.  And the more people we have working on the processes, the more likely we will come up with better and easier ways of getting the job done.

As with all reloading:  follow all of the load recipes published in the recognized load manuals such as those from Hornady and Speer.  Always start at low pressures and work up your loads.  Always wear safety glasses.  Don’t do stupid things – if it doesn’t look or feel right, throw the case away.  Sure, it may cost you a few pennies, but trying to shoot a damaged case could cost you an eye.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. George in SD says

    February 14, 2013 at 8:32 am

    Great information! I’d love to reload some of my surplus ammo for my Mosin Nagant (a 44). I’ve got a Lee Loader for it, but havent been able to pull the tirgger on the expensive brass cases for that caliber.

    Reply
  2. David says

    March 7, 2013 at 12:55 am

    While I don’t even shoot anything with Berdan primers, I found those videos fascinating! Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Devon Stavrowsky says

    April 23, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    Mostly because nobody told me not to, I went about reloading a bunch of old Italian military 6.5 Carcano that I picked up for next to nothing. Nine out of ten wouldn’t fire because of faulty primers. I pulled the bullets, dumped the propellant out (which was still good), and extracted the Berdan primers by drilling the back of them (one in ten would fizzle when I drilled them… none actually popped), twist a wood screw into the hole, and pull them out. I could not get Berdan primers that would fit the pocket, so I improvised. I drilled a central flash hole through the anvil, then drilled the pocket slightly wider, and used large shotgun primers. They fit perfectly. I then reloaded the original Italian propellant and bullets. So far, they have worked flawlessly.

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      April 24, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Good information Devon. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

      -Richard

      Reply
      • Devon Stavrowsky says

        April 24, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        Since I posted that, I’ve been referred to other blogs where people recommend against using shotgun primers in high-powered rifle rounds, as they are not designed to take the kind of pressures that rifle primers take, and they may eventually damage the bolt face.

        So far, I haven’t experienced any problems with the Carcanos, but it is noteworthy that I am reusing the old Italian propellant, and being cautious not to overload them. I think it’s generally a good idea to not ‘hot load’ ammo that is going to be shot out of a 70 year old rifle in any event.

        Reply
  4. Dewey says

    July 28, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    My son and I are both licensed, certified gunsmiths. We also reload all of our ammo. We have reloaded many steel cases, primarily 7.62×39 and 7.62x54R. It is completely doable, with a few precautions, and a bit of extra work. With the cost of pre-loaded ammo. continuously going up, reloading steel cases gives one a much cheaper option. Plus, you know what makes up the round, versus some imported ammo. that’s exceptionally hot. Give it a try, you won’t be sorry.

    Reply
  5. Dean_R says

    June 27, 2016 at 3:33 am

    Interesting article, thank you.
    I stumbled across it as I am looking for info on resizing LARGE cases.
    I have a Soviet PTRD and a bunch of 14.5x114mm steel cases
    The primer pocket is now converted to take 50BMG primers, but the shoulder needs resizing.

    You did not mention annealing the shoulder and mouth, as is often done with brass.
    I suspect that is not a good idea, as it may make it TOO soft, and likely to swell tight against the chamber wall.
    DOES ANYONE KNOW FOR SURE?

    Dean

    Reply
    • TSmith says

      December 18, 2018 at 9:46 am

      Steel Cases do not require annealing. Brass is a different animal.

      Reply
  6. Karver says

    March 26, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    Is it really cost effective reloading tula 7.62×39 steel case? 11 dollars for a 40 round box..

    Reply
  7. Ralph Alexander says

    April 17, 2019 at 10:20 pm

    I have reloaded 1943/44 8mm Mauser steel case ammunition. After converting to Boxer primers and finding a difference of approximately .006″ between the original and modern rifle primer diameters, I coated the primer pocket with polyurethane sealer. There was slight evidence of gas leakage at the primer perimeter. I will try a heavy varnish next to prevent leakage. The cartridges I fired had very little dimensional changes and no extraction difficulties. Neck resizing was required but the body was little changed in dimensions. This suggests the body material did not reach the yield point in expansion. Comments are welcomed.

    Reply
  8. Darryl says

    September 16, 2019 at 10:57 am

    I’ve bought a die for punching the hole and removing the Berdan primer, quick and easy use my Dremel to clean the flash hole and makes using old military steel cases a dream. Nail varnish works well on the Berdan seal. (7.62×39)

    Reply
  9. Darryl says

    October 9, 2019 at 6:39 am

    Converting Beran to Boxer is quick and easy with a conversion tool (Die with a carbon steel depriming tool) it resizes and punches a hole for the Boxer primer in one action. Ive resized and converted 500 (7.62×39) cases in an hour with this tool

    Reply
    • dick alexander says

      August 13, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Where is this tool available from and what primer fits?

      Reply
  10. John Pilagonia says

    January 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    Bad idea to grind on the side of the wheel. You can google why

    Reply
  11. Gary Simpson says

    May 2, 2020 at 12:36 am

    I am just getting started in reloading i helped a friend years ago. But I’m retired and just bought RCBS new equipment. Anyway I just bought some TULO AMMO steel ammo and wonder if it is reloadable casings my fairly new S&W M& P SHIELD 9MM.

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      May 3, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Gary,

      It is possible, but not recommended, to reload steel cased 9mm ammunition. Reloading steel is generally reserved for the more difficult to obtain cartridges because loading brass is so much easier. 9mm brass is plentiful and relatively cheap so dealing with steel cases will be more trouble than its worth. You’d be much better off buying some once-fired 9mm brass or just scrounging at the local range.

      If you can’t find any locally, I’ve had good luck trading/buying/selling brass on TheHighRoad.org

      I hope this helps.

      -Richard

      Reply
  12. Dave Tice says

    October 4, 2020 at 11:00 am

    Do you need to use Carbide dies top reload steel?

    Reply

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