Throw it in the brass recycle bin!

Two problems:

Internal volume is much less, therefore pressures will likely be greater.

They cases are known to be subject to case head separation at the junction of the internal step.

Too much good 9mm brass laying around to fuss with that crappy brass.

 

Throw it in the brass recycle bin!

Two problems:

Internal volume is much mess, therefore pressures will likely be greater.

They cases are known to be subject to case head separation at the junction of the internal step.

Too much good 9mm brass laying around to fuss with that crappy brass.

The Maxx brass is worse, with the "Step" being higher in the case. I haven't seen any problems with brass with the "deeper" step with minor PF loads, I have with the Maxx brass.

I agree though, I'll toss non-standard brass.

 

!00% on what Tater said. I always thought the FM & IMT were bad ideas, always tossed them, until one got thru & of course, it separated right along the step during a local match, resulting in a non clearable malf. Stupid idea, just toss them.

 

I imagine I've probably shot about 20k rounds with FM or similar pickup, with no problems of any kind. And that includes many reuses of the same cases, but all at minor power.

Considering our local circle over the past 5 or 6 years, there's probably been on the order of a quarter million rounds of stepped brass reloaded, and I know of only 1 instance of separation (which was a production shooter).

Of course you're not going to use it for 9 major, but I'm fine with it for minor practice ammo. I would recommend against it for match ammo, definitely for majors.

I'm not recommending using it at all, just giving some real-world data. If you're doing something with range pick-up that already involves sorting, then easy enough to reject the stepped stuff. But if you're loading minor and not sorting, this alone might not be a reason to start.

It's not such a huge deal to get a few thousands rounds of virgin brass and mark it for club match pick-up. If you shoot any kind of practice volume, that might be easier overall.

Probably should also say that I do throw some of the crappy stuff on the berm, including some steps that I see. But that's not the same thing as seriously sorting brass, which I do not do.

 

I don't recommend FM brass for reloading based on everything I have read.

 

I do toss it. I wonder why the step in the first place.
Yes, there's too much good stuff around but these are a pita as it means another sorting step.

 

..... I wonder why the step in the first place.

I heard a couple of explanations on the MaxxTech: One is to provide consistent seating depth (their equipment) and/or to prevent/reduce bullet setback.

Of course, a press will seat a bullet deeper than the step.

 

For sure there's plenty of brass on the ground. I'm up to almost 40 gallons of 9. I'm not arguing that, just saying it's not worth exhaustive sorting for my purposes.

 

40 gallons! Amazing! I have several containers, but 40 gallons? I really need to step up my range pickups (it's the only exercise I get anyway!)

 

IMT, Freedom Munitions, AmmoLoad and MaxxTech (the worst) are all stepped. I have seen several case ruptures (especially on PCC) and case separations (brass sleeve stuck in the chamber leaving you a dead gun) from these POS brass. Since I use only once fired indoor LEO range brass (usually WW or Speer), it's never happened to me. They are just junk. There is no point to them.

40 gallons of brass is about right. I am a bit short now as there are only ten 5 gallon buckets left...

 

Toss it in the scrap bucket. A friend I shoot with had a case separation at a USPSA match. The front half stayed in the gun and the gun tried to chamber the next round. It got jammed in the front half of the brass still in the barrel and he could not clear it easily.

Done for the day.

 

40 gallons! Amazing! I have several containers, but 40 gallons? I really need to step up my range pickups (it's the only exercise I get anyway!)

40 gallons

Here are a FEW 35 gallon trash cans full along with my brass tumbler. There are a few more not in the picture.

 

40 gallons

Here are a FEW 35 gallon trash cans full along with my brass tumbler. There are a few more not in the picture.



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Wow! I am suitably impressed!
Since I'm retired I tend to reload more than I shoot (I enjoy reloading as it's my quiet time). I have to say, if be like a zen monk I in your basement! Just cranking 'em out and loving it!
That is impressive, especially your tumbler.

I used to cast too, but stopped about a couple years ago. Do you cast as well? Have to keep all those little mouths fed and casting is probably the cheapest way.

OK, gotta go and start looking for more pickups...

Stay well and enjoy our sport Sport......

 

Willie, what's your tumble media recipe? I use walnut with a couple a tablespoon of mineral oil, followed by corn with a tablespoon of NuFinish car polish. Run both overnight. Turns nasty brass into ready to load, shiny and slippery. But only 5 lbs on a run.

 

Once for me; 40 grit corn with Nufinish.