The innovative Shell Shock Technologies case NAS3 allows you to save time and increase your reloading dollars.
Every once in a while, something new grabs your attention. The two-piece 9mm Luger case from Shell Shock Technologies is a great example of this. This unique design features a nickel-plated aluminum base and a nickel-plated nickel alloy stainless cylinder body. The flash hole is an integral part the nickel alloy body and extends into the aluminum base to attach the two-piece cases. These cases have flash holes that are larger than the usual brass ones. This reduces back pressure. NAS3 cases have flash holes that are larger than brass. They are 50% lighter, more abrasive, and stronger, making them ideal for +P and+P+ loads. They won’t ‘balloon’ when fired in unsupported chambers. They are corrosion-resistant and self-lubricating. They won’t crack, split, chip, or split. They are magnetic, so you can pick them with a magnet. No more bending down to pick up your cases. These cases can be reloaded with special dies from S3 Reload. These cases can be loaded up five times faster than regular brass cases, according to S3 Reload. S3 Reload provides a link to a video showing the same case being loaded 32 more times than regular brass cases. They can be used with almost all loading presses because they have standard 7/8-14″ threading. The insert is made of carbide, but the cases will need lubrication as well. Hornady One Shot worked well for me. I used Hornady ONE SHOT, and it worked perfectly. The flaring tool is spring-loaded for this reason. The Dillon flaring tool can also be used on Dillon presses that have an integrated flaring or powder drop tool. As long as the S3 die is used and the flaring die and cases are well lubricated, the S3 flaring tool can be used. I have tried both the Dillon flaring tool and the S3 flaring device on a Dillon XL650. The Dillon flaring device worked well and did not stretch the cases. However, there are limits to what the cases can withstand without separating or stretching. I pulled a few bullets out of loaded cases. In some cases, there was evidence that the steel alloy base was slightly stretched. The overall length of the case was visible to have increased by 10-15 thousandths inch. Also, the gap between the two halves was noticeably wider. Some cases didn’t stretch at all when the bullet hit them. Any cases that have stretched past the SAAMI length of 0.754″ should be discarded.Sizing the NAS3 cases makes a clunking noise when the case is pushed from the sizing die back against the shellplate/shellholder. The shellholder normally pulls the case from its die. However, these cases and the spring-loaded die allow the case to be pushed out with some force. It may sound strange or break when you first hear it. However, the inside bottom of the NAS3 cases was higher than regular brass ones. I measured the distance between the case mouth and the powder chamber in the new NAS3 cases as well as the Starline 9mm brass ones. The NAS3 case’s internal depth was 9% less than Starline cases. However, they have the same capacity and accept longer bullets up to 165 grains. They don’t. Shell Shock claims that NAS3 cases have fractionally less capacity than standard 9mm cases. This was confirmed when Accurate #7, a finely-grained powder, was measured. The Starline brass contained 13.9 grains and the NAS3 case had 14.0 grains. The walls get thicker as you go deeper into the case. However, the walls of the NAS3 cases are thinner. I was able to get my calipers into the case as deep and deep as possible. The Starline wall measured 0.03 inches, while the NAS3 wall thickness was 0.0223″. Four handloads were also tested in NAS3 cases. All four loads were tested in NAS3 cases. The velocity was higher. The load affected the speed, which varied from 18 to 44 fps. It is not clear why velocity increased. It is not clear why the velocity increased. One 15-shot group was fired. Comparing the Starline cases to NAS3 cases, there was no difference in accuracy. Two loads produced a smaller group of NAS3 cases than the other two, while two loads produced larger numbers. Two loads produced a smaller group with NAS3 cases than the other two. Independent testing by H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. revealed a standard deviation of 0.93 fps. True, the spread of Titegroup powder in a 10-shot string was only 4 fps. But that was only a small sample and not an excellent example. Crimp and Glocks
Crimp is an important part of any Glock pistol, and may be particularly important for NAS3 cases. My Glock 19C suffered from extraction failures due to improperly crimped NAS3 ammunition. My Glock 19C’s extraction phase saw the barrel open and fall down so low that the extracting case’s rim is exposed to the magazine’s top round. The case mouth is very sharp and can catch the extracting round’s edge, preventing the fired case from extracting. Shell Shock Technologies informed me that they haven’t seen this in their testing of Glock pistols. So, mine might be an exception. I used a -0.003″crimp to stop extraction failures in my Glock. High Pressure Testing
One question was about how the aluminum head of the NAS3 case’s primer pocket would withstand higher pressure. Brass cases can develop loose primer pockets after being loaded to extremely high pressure. Loaders of 9 Major for competition can leave behind primer pockets that aren’t quite right after a few loads. This was a 115 grain jacketed bullet that was seated to 1.100 inches over True Blue at 6.2 grains. According to the Western manual, this load produced 38.373 psi at 1,197 fps using their 4″ test barrel. This load measured 1295 fps in my 5″ Kart barrel, and 1277 fps in my Lone Wolf barrel 4.6″. The +P load was fired four more times in the same NAS3 boxes. The primer pockets were in good condition. They were not as tight or loose as new cases but they were still in good shape. Competitive shooters use the term Nine Major (or Major 9), to describe 9mm Luger ammunition loaded to achieve a minimum power factor. The power factor is calculated by the bullet weight divided by the velocity multiplied by 1000. Major power factor in USPSA competition is 165. This means that a 115-grain bullet must travel at least 1435 fps to be eligible. To meet the requirement, most shooters load ammo at a power factor of 170-172. These pressures and velocities are far higher than the 9mm Luger’s performance. Only experienced reloaders should load these loads. They can also exceed the SAAMI pressure limits at 38,500 psi for 9mm+P. The NAS3 cases have a 65,000 psi pressure rating which could make them suitable for this application. A load was created using Winchester AutoComp, a 115-grain jacketed cartridge seated at 1.150 inches OAL. This load produced 1475 FPS (169 power factor), in the Lone Wolf barrel 4.6″ and 1521 FPS (175 power factor), in the Kart barrel 5″. Three-quarters of these cases had primer pockets too loose to hold a new primer after one firing. The primer pockets in the rest of the cases were noticeably looser than new brass but they were still tight enough that I would use them again for the same high pressure load. A second series of 9 Major ammunition was loaded using Accurate #7, which is a slower powder with the same bullet weight and OAL. The powder should be able reach the same power factor as AutoComp, but at lower pressure. This powder was loaded in a second series of 9 Major ammunition with Accurate #7, a slower powder with the same bullet and OAL. The chronographs were taken from the 5″ Kart barrel at 170 power factor, 176 power factor, 179 power factor, and 183. Although the primer pockets in 170 power factor cases were not as tight, many of them were still secure. One of the 176 power factors cases had a primer pocket that was too loose to trust with future loads. The rest were fine. None of the 179 power factors cases had any loose primer pockets. One primer fell out of the 183 power factor case cases. Surprisingly the primer pockets in the rest of the cases were fine. One primer pocket was a little loose but it would still work for a standard load. The remaining eight cases had primer pockets that were slightly looser than the new ones, but they would still work for a standard pressure load.
It is easy to load NAS3 cases. I had no trouble setting up the dies or producing several hundred rounds of ammunition. These cases require lubrication, which is something I don’t use for non-bottleneck cartridges, but some people do. There’s also the clunking sound that happens during sizing. However, the main attraction of these cases are their magnetic properties. Reloaders will need to pick up their cases. A magnet can make this task much easier. With my moderate strength magnet, I was able pick up 4-5 cases at once. Strong magnets are the best tools for picking up NAS3 cases. They are not magnetic so a strong magnet will work well. There were also steel rifle cases that were found on the ground. They were attracted to the magnet more than the NAS3 case. They can be loaded up to twice as often as standard pressure loads. This could make them a viable option for reloading. Each individual must decide for themselves. The dies are priced between $80-$100. The good news is that NAS3 case are cheaper than brass cases. 100 new NAS3 cases will cost you $100, while 1000 new brass cases will cost you a lot more. Starline sells new, high-quality brass cases at $130 per 1000. This is one of the lowest prices I have seen. You will pay $200 to $400 per 1000 for new Winchester, Remington, or other brand cases. The money you save on cases will quickly pay for the reloading dies.For more on Shell Shock Technologies, please visit shellshocktechnologies.com.For more on S3Reload, please visit s3reload.com.More On Reloading:Get Started in Reloading:NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDSThis impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains62 printable targetsfor rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Get Free Targets
