I now pick up a lot of free range brass rather than buying once fired and I am starting to see more stepped brass cases....

Questions - Why was stepped brass created and why should they go into my scrap bucket (have not loaded any yet cause I need some ed-u-maction on this topic please) and not be reloaded.....Thanks Mark

Reported issues: Less case volume (need slower powder), separates at stepped shoulder, harder to size, can bulge if bullet seated too deep, sometimes it is brass covered steel, and other issues.


If I get them - tossed. Don't need another set of problems during reloading.

Andrew

Andrew - Thank you Sir....Your list contians more than one reason for these to get tossed....To your point - there are enough variables in reloading already. No reason to add more...

Thanks Again...Mark

There is most definitely an internal volume difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EU9deSKm48&t=6s

I suspect that the reason behind the creation is to prevent bullet setback due to an alloy that lacks proper neck tension.

The problem is not only a case volume issue but if you reload them with bullets they were not designed for.

Imagine a stepped case for a 115gn bullet that have had a 124-147 gn bullet shoved into them.

Explanation please? What is "stepped brass?"

V-Tail - Sorry for my delay in responding. Just got back from visiting grandkids....The images in the link below that I found I think shows it better than I could explain it....Mark

https://goo.gl/images/g3LCqi

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quote:

Originally posted by 45 Cal:
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Thanks 45 - Got it and replied....Merry Christmas Sir...Mark

Most of my stepped brass has been IMI headstamped.

Correction: Looks like it may be IMT headstamped. I'll have to go back and check. Aging eyes...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackimoe,