Practical or Retarded?

[nova3930]

Steel doesn't seem to work that way like brass. At least not as much. The elasticity isn't there. I've tried sizing down a steel case with a sizing die, and it doesn't want to squeeze back down like brass.

There's some people that swear you can reload steel. With the material properties I just don't see it, least not in a semi-auto. You might could get away with neck sizing for a bolt action or single shot but I'd be worried about getting appropriate final dimensions on a full length size...

[markm]

There's some people that swear you can reload steel. With the material properties I just don't see it, least not in a semi-auto. You might could get away with neck sizing for a bolt action or single shot but I'd be worried about getting appropriate final dimensions on a full length size...

I tried it just because I read about people doing it. The die setting for brass wouldn't squeeze the steel down enough to get it right. So that was the end of that nonsense.

[Pork Chop]

I run a BCM 14.5 midlength with an H buffer and carbine spring on almost a pure diet of shitty steel cased stuff and it runs fine if I lube the piss out of it.
Local sources in my area are still selling AE223 for $10.99/bx so **** them, I'll shoot steel.

I think people overthink this stuff. Lube, shoot, rinse repeat.

[richiecotite]

Sounds more like they did a build party going as cheap as possible.

Oh, I'm sure they could have gone a lot cheaper, re: the dude who's gas block blew up

[rapomstage3]

I run a BCM 14.5 midlength with an H buffer and carbine spring on almost a pure diet of shitty steel cased stuff and it runs fine if I lube the piss out of it.
Local sources in my area are still selling AE223 for $10.99/bx so **** them, I'll shoot steel.

I think people overthink this stuff. Lube, shoot, rinse repeat.

I second this. I might get an occasional failure to lock to rear but even that is rare. Bcm middy. Colt 6920. Sr 15.

[sdelam]

I have at least 3k rounds with a similar CMMG. always ran fine for me. Evan with the 3-400 reloaded steel cases using a Lee full length sizing die and a FCD. Found I could get 3 loads on steel cases before the neck would split. Tried it just to see if it would work.

[Dave_M]

Most likely just post-purchase rationalization. However, if it's only shot with Wolf it'll probably be okay. I'd recommend they at least try an H buffer first, however.

I have an LMT that won't run shitty wolf without popping out the H buffer and replacing with a std car buffer. I wonder what PSA's gas port sizes are.

[RWH24]

16" middy is .078"

Unknown what a Carbine gas runs.

[Iraqgunz]

I saw a PSA middy a few years back that was .093. I wouldn't always bet money that they know the size. For the record I have fired well over 3K rounds of Hornady Steel TAP in my SBR's and my carbine that was built with a 6920 barrel. And they all use the Vltor A5. ZERO malfunctions.

16" middy is .078"

Unknown what a Carbine gas runs.

[montrala]

There's some people that swear you can reload steel.

People living east from my location reload steel. But there is a catch. They reload 7.62x39 and 5.45x39. Case shape allows them to do enough sizing to have it work in AKM or AK-75 and generally this shape is also more forgiving on feeding and extraction. I do not imagine this possible with 5.56 or any other (almost) straight wall case.