Uh-oh. Cheerios.........Well actually 9mm AmmoLoad again.

[alfsauve]

For those who didn't read last year's threads.

There are brass out there with Ammoload, and other headstamps, that have a thick, stepped base. It only serves to act as a point of failure. Creates such a neat separation though. Few could cut a case so neatly.

One thing I noticed, not mentioned before, besides the reduced diameter, is that the depth of the case is shorter in these cases, the base, from case head to interior is about 1.5mm thicker than my other brass. So even less case capacity.

No need to drag this out as it's been hashed in other threads. SAAMI does not specify interior dimensions. It does put your gun out of commission until you can clear the chamber. At least in my 8 shot revolver I could just remove a round from the moon clips and continue shooting as a 7 shot.



For those curious, the ring came out with just a little tapping, inertia-wise. Not tools required, other than to remove the cylinder. My load was 4.4gr TG under a 115gr Xtreme CPRN set to 1.140" COAL. Longer than most, I know. Gives about 1090fps from my 6" 929. Not a major PF load at all.

BOTHER, now I need to check all my loaded cases. I chamber check all 9mm after I resize so I think I can catch these in the future.

 

[kcofohio]

Like a clean cut. Thanks for the post to alert us of this possible issue.

That said, I haven't come across many Ammoland casings. When I do, they get tossed in with the other not so desirable headstamps.

After reading this post, I think I will just start throwing them in with the other scrap brass. Brass is too plentiful right now.

 

[Rule3]

The new 9mm "short" 9mmAL

 

[ATLDave]

Stepped brass is a dang nuisance. Manufacturers cranking this stuff out need to be boycotted. Shooters seeding ranges with these poison pills need to be shamed.

 

[higgite]

An anecdote about those buggers. I was loading some 9mm awhile back on my progressive press when my RCBS lockout die brought things to a screeching, or rather, a clunking halt. I weighed the powder (W231) to see how much it was overcharged and it was spot on target weight. Then I looked at the case and it was one of the "stepped" ones (I forget which headstamp) that had slipped past me. With less internal volume in the brass, the powder level was high enough that the L/O die said no-no.

 

[alfsauve]

The new 9mm "short" 9mmAL

Actually I was going to call it the 9x10mm. But 9mmALF would be great too.

 

[Prowler53]

Never seen it before....Thanks for the alert!

 

[jmorris]

The internal volume is reduced enough that my powder check dies will catch them.

 

[Dewey 68]

Your topic title threw me off, isn't it uh-oh, Spaghettios?

 

[9mmepiphany]

The head stamps that I commonly run across with the stepped cases are Ammoland, IMT (not to be confused with IMI), and FM (Freedom Munitions)

 

[forrest r]

Standard 9mm case next to a "stepped" 9mm case.


It doesn't take much reduction in case capacity for the pressures to spike in the 9mm cases.

 

[alfsauve]

Your topic title threw me off, isn't it uh-oh, Spaghettios?

You're re so right. My kids use to pronounce it "spet-e-os"

 

[alfsauve]

Standard 9mm case next to a "stepped" 9mm case.

Thanks for the visual conformation that these cases are shallower.

I've gotten to calling it an Interior Belt.

 

[kcofohio]

Standard 9mm case next to a "stepped" 9mm case.
View attachment 837444

It doesn't take much reduction in case capacity for the pressures to spike in the 9mm cases.
View attachment 837445

Flash hole looks quite larger on the stepped case.

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks for the visual conformation that these cases are shallower.

I've gotten to calling it an Interior Belt.

Jeepers... that is a significant difference!

That's one of the reasons I cull my 9mm brass to, basically, 3 or 4 different headstamps... PMC, RP, WIN, and maybe FC.

 

[bersaguy]

Yeah, between the reduced volume, often off-center flash holes, and over-all low quality of the stepped case ammo, it's all garbage. Whether its Ammoland, Amerc, or who ever is putting it out, whatever they're charging, it's too much

 

[Dudedog]

I had one do that to me as well. Got it out of my barrel with a drill bit just big enough to catch the inside. Med power load, felt fine when shot.
No history on that piece of brass but they all go in the recycle can now.
They are a garbage IMO.

 

[Cooter Boolit]

I avoid stepped case at all costs. Are there any particular brands of stepped cases that are made here in the USA..?
I always buy new cases, and i only reload my own once fired cases to avoid issues (winchester - remington - federal - starline)
I see alot of people using range brass in my area too. I`m not a fan of picking up somebody else`s used brass. You have no idea what was loaded in it, or many times they were used/loaded.

 

[alfsauve]

<Correction after consultation with my PR and Marketing staff.>

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 9mmELF
copyright, trade mark, etc, etc,etc

 

[9mmepiphany]

Are there any particular brands of stepped cases that are made here in the USA..?

Freedom Munitions and Ammoload are both domestic manufacturers

 

[Bfh_auto]

I thought you were using Cheerios as a case filler.

 

[armoredman]

One step during deprime/resize is a look down inside the brass for the "step". If found, into the recycle bag it goes!

 

[Kaldor]

One step during deprime/resize is a look down inside the brass for the "step". If found, into the recycle bag it goes!

Same here. I just cull them as I decap before tumbling.

Ammoland
IMI
Magtech

Those are the ones I have found and tossed.

 

[Jack B.]

I've never seen one. Are they 9mm only or are other calibers involved?

 

[Dewey 68]

I wonder if a subsequent bullet would squeeze through the brass ring left in the barrel? That would be the best outcome. I'm really hoping I haven't reloaded any of these stepped cases.