Sixgun Seamus Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Had a fellow (assuming non SASS shooter) email me this morning. Said he and his reloading buddy recently acquired 200 primed 44 special balloon head cases. I first asked him how he knew they were balloon head. I told him they were not suited for high pressure loads. I also suggested he could buy some cowboy guns to use them in and come shoot with us. Question ....should these even be used and if anyone here is interested in them? I could get his contact information and pass it along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 No, these should not be used in any firearm. I wouldn't want to be on the same posse with a person using them either. I must seem to have an aversion to shrapnel wounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Not for smokeless OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex M Rugers #6621 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I would think old balloon-head brass would have more value as a collectable than for use. Be kinda like spending rare coins for a burger. Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I had to look it up...as my knowledge is on the lower end of the scale. Saw several different warnings about seperation from the 'head'. Sounds like too risky to use, huh??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I had a few boxes of .45 balloon head cases a few years ago that someone on here wanted more than me. I've still got a few hundred .38's. The biggest problem is the primer pockets stretch, and after a couple reloadings, they won't hold the primer anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Over the years, I have come across a good number of balloon head cases in .38 S&W. Some of them still with their original factory loading, some with black powder, and some with smokeless. I segregate out the balloon head cases and have a different load for them. I only load light loads in this caliber anyway, and I have never had any trouble with them. For the larger .44 Special, I am pretty sure that that was never factory loaded with black powder, so they should be okay for smokeless, but I would limit the brass to low power loadings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I have some Baloon Head cases, in 38 WCF, and 44WCF. Have used the 44WCF with Black Powder . Didn't have any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Another reason for NOT using balloon-head brass is the likelihood it has age-hardened significantly, making it brittle. Now I do recall that CIL Dominion sold brand new .43 Mauser brass back in the '60's that was semi-balloon-head. With light smokeless loads and lead bullets, never had a problem. The primer pocket only projected partially into the case head. I also cut them down and sized them for an 11.15 x 47R cartridge for a rifle-shotgun combination gun. They were NOT completely balloon-head like the sectioned .44-40 brass round shown above. Stay well and safe, Pards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Learned something. I thought balloon heads would only be antique brass, not modern made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baltimore Ed Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Bought some .450 Webley brass once. Had issues getting them to size then I looked inside and saw what they were, loaded them once but I’m not going to mess with them any more. Cut some .455 down and am using them instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 I have a few balloon head cases that I do not reload. Just kinda got them settin on the shelf. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZigMar Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 I thought that the all brass shotshell cases made by MagTech were basically balloon head cases, or am I under the wrong impression? I've got a few of those in 12ga that I've loaded up with about 60-70 grains of Pyrodex, appropriate over powder and cushion wads from Circle-Fly, 1oz of shot and an over shot card glued in place and have shot them. Did this once for fun at a match, but haven't gotten around to doing this again since it's kind of a tedious process and it's much easier to crank out light shotshells on a MEC with more modern components. Anyway, was that a bad idea? Should have only used real black powder vs. Pyrodex with the MagTech brass shotshells? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Yeah, looking at one, you could say the MagTech's are "balloon head." It is a little tedious to load them, but they are much fun to shoot. I used Red Dot in 'em myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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