Do not reload "IMT" or "AMMOLOAD" Marked 9mm Cases

[NH Photo Shooter]

They are easy to spot when reloading. Instead of the normal taper of the case wall thickness, , they have a very visible step 3/8" from the case mouth. I had one separate on me while shooting - only the case head up to the step ejected. The 3/8" from the mouth back stayed in the chamber. I was shooting a very light load in my Sig, so it was not a pressure issue. Fortunately the part still in the chamber was easy to remove (fell out when I stripped the pistol actually). But I didn't know it was going to be easy, so I was done with that gun for the day.

I did some Internet research, and found that I am not the only one that this has happened to. Apparently these cases are made in Turkey, and are also sometimes marked "AMMOLOAD". Same design, same problem.

One brand that uses these cases is Freedom Munitions.

I grabbed this photo from another forum, but it shows the inside of the case.

And, yes, I do mean IMT, not IMI.

[rhuff]

I had read about this particular brass on a reloading forum, but it is always good to have a reminder.....especially for me and my memory. I went to the shooting range last evening, and so was sorting brass today. To date, I have not run across any of this brass, but it pays to keep looking for it.

[sheepherder]

Can you post a pic of your cartridge, side view, before shooting? I get a lot of 'range pickups' from my LGS. It would be good to know NOT to buy/reload it.

[NH Photo Shooter]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Can you post a pic of your cartridge, side view, before shooting? I get a lot of 'range pickups' from my LGS. It would be good to know NOT to buy/reload it.

Not sure what you're looking for. The loaded round doesn't look any different than any other 9mm ammo from the outside. The step is on the inside, as the photo I posted shows.

When picking up range brass, just look inside. Or do it while you're handloading. It's very easy to see that step on the inside. Can't miss it.

Don't buy any ammo headstamped IMT or AMMOLOAD if you intend to use the brass again. There may be other headstamps/brands from the same case manufacturer as well that I didn't find in my research. But one look inside a fired case, and you'll know the stuff right away.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by NH Photo Shooter

The step is on the inside, as the photo I posted shows...

So that's a case that didn't separate???

[NH Photo Shooter]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

So that's a case that didn't separate???

Correct. By the looks of it, I'd say it has never been reloaded after it initial commercial load was fired. It's pretty clean on the inside walls.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by NH Photo Shooter

Correct. By the looks of it, I'd say it has never been reloaded after it initial commercial load was fired. It's pretty clean on the inside walls.

Oh, so these are reloads??? By some factory or business???

[NH Photo Shooter]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Oh, so these are reloads??? By some factory or business???

OK, from the top. Some company, apparently in Turkey, makes this brass for other companies to load into ammunition. They make this brass in an unconventional way, with a step on the inside instead of a taper to the case wall thickness (see photo). The companies that buy the brass load it with initial first loadings, like Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, or PMC would do if they didn't make their own brass. There does not appear to be a problem with firing this commercial ammunition. The Turkish company will headstamp this virgin brass to order, IMT or AMMOLOAD that I know of.

The problem arises when people like me handload this particular brass. It is apparently not designed to be used more than once (reloaded). In that respect it's like Blazer aluminum cases: OK to shoot, not designed to be reloaded.

I've never seen a new box of this ammo as far as I know. I picked up some once fired cases of it at a local commercial range, along with a lot of other normal once fired brass. I noticed the difference right away as I was running it through the Dillon, but did not realize there would be a problem until there was one. Then I looked it up on the Internet and discovered that others had had the same issue.

I was not able to find the ejected case head of the case that failed. I was shooting at the same commercial range, it was busy at the time, and there was just too much brass lying around.

Sometimes, when shooting at that facility, I pick up a lot of other people's cases, (hundreds of cases at a time) after asking of course. Most people don't handload, so they don't mind. That's where I get most of the semi-auto cases that I reload. I always ask the people whose cases I'm scrounging if they handload. I only want once fired cases. With semi-auto cases (9mm and 45 ACP), I only reload it once and then recycle it. So far I've been able to scrounge a lot more once fire brass in this way than I've been able to handload. I shoot about half handloads (mine only!) and half known commercial brands like Blazer Brass and Federal American Eagle.

Does that make it all clear?

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by NH Photo Shooter

Does that make it all clear?

Yes it does. Would have been better if you'd said some of that in the beginning - It read like a continuation of a previous thread/discussion.

Not criticizing, mind you. Just that we're not all geniuses, some of us are really quite simple. I would fall off a turnip truck.

One note - I've reloaded several aluminum cases, just for S&G. 45 mostly, one or two 9mm. Couple 38 Spl. They reloaded OK (Boxer primed) but obviously not something recommended. The revolver loads I didn't worry about but the autoloader cases were suspect.

I didn't look to see where you are, but here in NYS ammunition sales are still frozen, with more restrictive state laws being enacted even as we speak. Ammunition sales will be subject to the same laws as handguns, requiring NICS checks and only thru a dealer - no private sales of ammunition.

That ought to put an end to terrorism.

And when Hillary becomes president next year, we'll all be living in the land of milk and honey, safe from criminals and extremists.

[NH Photo Shooter]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Yes it does. Would have been better if you'd said some of that in the beginning - It read like a continuation of a previous thread/discussion.

Not criticizing, mind you. Just that we're not all geniuses, some of us are really quite simple. I would fall off a turnip truck.

One note - I've reloaded several aluminum cases, just for S&G. 45 mostly, one or two 9mm. Couple 38 Spl. They reloaded OK (Boxer primed) but obviously not something recommended. The revolver loads I didn't worry about but the autoloader cases were suspect.

I didn't look to see where you are, but here in NYS ammunition sales are still frozen, with more restrictive state laws being enacted even as we speak. Ammunition sales will be subject to the same laws as handguns, requiring NICS checks and only thru a dealer - no private sales of ammunition.

That ought to put an end to terrorism.

And when Hillary becomes president next year, we'll all be living in the land of milk and honey, safe from criminals and extremists.

I would suggest avoiding turnip trucks.

I once did the same thing you did: handloaded a Blazer aluminum case just to see if I could. Didn't fire it though. Pulled the bullet and recycled the powder and primer. When Blazers first came out, the aluminum cased variety was all there was, and it was Berdan primed, I assume to discourage handloading. I hardly ever buy the stuff, but was surprised to discover a few years ago that they had switched to Boxer primers. That's probably a cost saving measure, as it avoids having to run two systems with different supplies.

Off topic, but I certainly sympathize with shooters who are unfortunate enough to live in NYS. I grew up in a town outside of Buffalo, but escaped to New Hampshire, which so far is still a free state, 30 odd years ago.

And, yes, the thought of another Clinton in the White House is nothing short of appalling.

But this is the wrong forum for that discussion, so lets nip that in the bud right now.

[rhuff]

I have not tried to handload any alum cases, but did handload a few old 45ACP steel cases from WWll. It wasn't really intentional, but they came out of my case tumbler looking like a dull nickel coated case, and it didn't dawn on me that they were polished steel cases. They not only loaded o.k., but they shot fine. I am not recommending this, as I am very careful of my sizing dies, but it can, and has been done.

[Zorba]

In the FWIW dept., I just happened to be going to the range today, so I grabbed a box of Freedom Munitions 9mm "new" which was indeed head-stamped "Ammoload". Upon firing, I was able to confirm the presence of the step inside the case.

[noylj]

Note: they are a danger to reload because the case capacity is different.
You COULD reload them, but they would need a separate load work-up andwould need to be sorted out of normal 9x19 cases. Considering the cost of 9x19 cases, they SHOULD be thrown away. The risks are too great for a negligible gain.
The real thing to emphasize is "Inspect your cases, every time, inside and out."

[ithacaartist]

You meant "saved in the brass pile to be sold for scrap", right?