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Thread: Steel case cleaning

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    14

    Steel case cleaning

    Hello All,

    Not a popular topic but anyone who reloads steel case ammo, how do you clean the cases?

    Also, how do you keep the inside/outside of the cases from rusting after cleaning? Bluing or?

    TIA!!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master 15meter's Avatar
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    Feb 2017
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    SE Michigan
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    2,508
    Never having done, this is pure unadulterated guess work, start with untreated walnut shells and load them with NuFinish. LOTS of NuFinish. Let the media dry before polishing the cases.

    I believe the NuFinish leaves a light coat of wax/sealer on the cases.

    Take the advice for what it is, powered by beer from Witch's Hat.

    Curious what caliber steel cases you are eloading? Why? Berdan, or did you find boxer primed?

    Not sure if I ever saw boxer steel cases, back during Obama, I read about people reloading steel cases.

    Never met such a cat.

    Luckily I've always kept myself stocked up.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    western ny
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    I would do it same as brass. Fresh walnut and heavy polish probably good idea

  4. #4
    Boolit Master chutesnreloads's Avatar
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    Aug 2011
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    Central Texas
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    Ones I used were boxer primed
    Idea was load single shot then put the magazine in with regular ammo to have a varmint gitter and I didn't need to look for spent brass
    Never bothered to clean the cases
    Only loads found accurate enough also failed to chamber the next round

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Mar 2013
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    I have read that there is a varnish or coating on steel cases to act as a "lubricant" and prevent corrosion, So after cleaning it will need to be replaced. I can for see faster chamber and die wear. You will also need a very good sizing lubricant to eal with increased friction and pressure when sizing.

    Be very careful as steel cases wont show pressure signs the same as brass cases will. Remember just because the steel cases will contain higher pressure the actions wont

  6. #6
    Boolit Master rmcc's Avatar
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    Aug 2010
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    Central Iowa
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    I have reloaded a ton of Wolf steel case 45 acp cases. I just run them like regular brass. Never had a problem with rusting. But, I take care to pick them up right away. If you leave them for very long, after finish is off, they rust RAPIDLY. As far as I can tell, they shoot just fine. I have never shot them side by side with brass to test. Never had an issue with jams or seating.

    rmcc
    fools rush in where angels fear to tread...Alexander Pope

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


    Finster101's Avatar
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    Aug 2009
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    SW Fla
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    I have reloaded a few 9mm and 45 acp that were boxer primed. I save them for when I don't want to worry about recovering my brass. 1 time use for me.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check