Hirtenberger Reloadable?

G

Guyon

New member
I don't reload---yet. I am, however, seriously considering one of the Rockchucker Master Kits some time next year. Which gets me to my question...

Should I save Hirtenberger milsurp brass? I bought 200 rounds of this stuff to shoot as practice ammo. Can I reload these casings?

What about Radway Green? I have about 100 rounds of the British milsurp ammo. Can I reload it as well?
 
I reload for .308 (in a FAL). I am considering getting some Hirtenberger for the purpose.

Let me know if it shoots well and I just might get a 1,000 rounds or so.

Rick
 
All info I've seen says yes, Hirt is reloadable. Quick way to check: (#1) Is the case brass? If yes, see #2, if no, toss in trash (#2) Is there one primer hole or two? You can check by looking in through the case neck with a strong flashlight. If there is one hole, you're in luck...if there's two, toss in trash.

Teh one holed version is called Boxer priming, while the two holed version is Berdan priming. While Berdan primed cases can be reloaded, it's a pain in the butt. Boxer (one hole) priming is what reloaders look for.
 
Something to watch out for on Hirtenberger brass, even though it's boxer primed, is the flash hole size. I wrecked more than a couple decapping pins when I decapped and resized a bunch of Hirtenberger 7x64 brass enroute to becoming 6.5-06 brass. Turned out the flash hole was a good bit smaller than "normal" for U.S. made ammo. The 7x64 is a high-pressure round, kind of a .280 Remington +P, I assumed the smaller flash hole was to allow more snort without the primer backing out. I don't know if the Hirtenberger .308 will pose this problem or not, you'll have to check into it with care the first round you decap.
 
it's reloadable, but it's not worth the trouble, [it's some very tuff brass]it's thicker. i started with a friend about a week ago to reload some that we bought together in 200 round battle packs, he's the reload master of every type of ammo. we quit after a 100 rounds. to much trouble!!!
 
I have had excelent results with the 7.62 NATO Hirtenberger cases in my M1A. I did have some problems using Varget powder in them (failure to extract) I bought a set of RCBS small base .308 win dies and have had no problems since.The small base dies resizes the case just a bit smaller and are designed for semi and full auto weapons. As far as the flash hole problem I have not had any decaping pins break or even push up in my Lee or RCBS dies with the hirtenberger cases. There are some S&B head stamped .308 that looks alot like hirtenberger watch out for this stuff its berdan primed. They use the same color primer sealer. I got some mixed up a while back. If any of you guys dont want the Hirt cases send them to me I'll pay the freight.
 
By the way, Radway Green is Berdan primed (2 flash holes). It bugged me at high-power matches when the guys left their brass out forward of the line, so when I policed it up and looked at it, there's those two darned flash holes...

As for working with the thicker brass, I use Lapua exclusively in my M14NM, BM-59, and 700PSS. it's thick stuff, too, I just load a bit lighter for the smaller case capacity to obtain the same velocities as reloads based on commercial US brass. I noticed Cavim and TZZ (IMI) are the same way, it's still good stuff, just thicker. Steve, want some IMI or Cavim brass to play with?
 
steve, i've started taking my hirtenberger brass to our local ammo man at most of our gun shows, he gives me a fair price or i trade with him for other brass,powder and or other supplies. but the hirtenberger is, i think the best milsurp ammo. never a malfunction.
 
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