I mean is there any reason why it absolutely can't be done, if a guy is masochistic enough to get the reloading equipment?

Every loading manual I have read says its unsafe. Steel is not as ductile as brass and has a much higher probability of catastrophic case failure. Brass "flows" when it is put under pressure. Reloaded steel cases will fracture or split.

It would also be very hard to run the steel cases trhough a sizing die. Steel is much harder than brass and it wouldn't form well. If you did manage to get a steel case into a die using brute force, I dont think you could get it back out.

I reloaded a few Wolf cases about two years ago. They sized fairly easily; I use the Hornady case lube, which I think is pure beeswax. In the final analysis, I got about 80% casemouth splits on the second firing and decided it wasn't worth the effort when brass .223 is so easy to pick up at the range. If you really want to do it, I'd make your steel reloads just for plinking; don't bother to make them accuracy loads. On the other hand, the Wolf .45ACP cases reload well (in my experience). I use carbide dies and set the die to come within half a red hair from the shell holder; I've never had a problem doing it this way.

I had some .30-06 WWII steel cases years ago and decided to reload them. Wasn't too smart because I got the first one stuck in the reloading die and had to have RCBS remove it. I tossed the rest of them and didn't endeavor to do that again.....you might be luckier.

Theoretically you could machine them from wire (AISI 1008 I think)and through a series of annealing and necking down actually make the case you wanted.....just remember that you are now working without the fuse in the system.....if you get what I mean.

LDO-Yes they can, but if using full pressure loads so resizing is needed you will need
hairy hydraulic or huge mechanical press.On the 2 bore cases I made from 27x145mm Nato
steel cases I couldn't swage or expand them with my big press that I made 4bore cases with.
If you can get steel case right for chamber
to start with,in and out easy so to speak,
and use moderate loads you can do a few reloads without resizing, by just rolling neck or
sizing neck.I am talking about big cases,
BMG and bigger..Ed.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hubel458:
.On the 2 bore cases I made from 27x145mm Nato
steel cases....QUOTE]

WOW! Can you post before and after pics of the cases? (Parent and 2-bore)

Thanks, Lee

I only have picture of 2 bore case with the
30mm barrel we plan on using.I will get the boy
to make a pic with before and after in next day or so.

when commercial brass case was not that common, I reloaded French made lacquered steel cases in 5.56 mm and 7.62x51.
I could reload the 5.56mm 10/12 times for my AR 15 and only 5/6 times for my FAMAS because of delayed bolt opening and chamber cannelures.

I loaded the 7.62 up to 20 times using them in my SIG MANURHIN SG 542.

What I found interesting is that I did not have to use the case trimmer and I used them as long as I could for this reason even when brass cases were plenty.

I reloaded with RCBS Rock Chucker, Pacific 007 and the first Dillon blue press.

LDO, in my cases it was not about 14.5 or 23 mm