Update: After one of our commenters provided me with the correct term for this type of case, I was able to research “Stepped-cases” and found this is a thing.
As a reloader, I understand just how expensive and hard to get powder got. And how much more expensive it is today than 5 years ago. I believe that somebody spent the time and money to research reduced loads in smaller case sizes to get an answer that said it was cheaper to use more brass than it was to use more powder.
Regardless, my point remains, 100% inspection of cases is good policy and could save your firearm, hand, or even life.
Diamond K came through for me again. 2000+ cases arrived for processing.
1000+ .45 ACP and 1000+ 9 mm cases total. While they sell by count, they are actually shipping by weight.
From my quick test, 10 9 mm cases weigh around 37.3g, 250 cases are 932.5g. Counting by weight, I received about 40 extra cases in the 9 mm order, plus 2 extra in the .45 ACP. There was one .22 LR case and a single small stone holding that .22 case inside the 9 mm case.
But that isn’t the fun find.
Somebody missed a step:
That casing was not drawn out correctly. Somebody put a primer on the case, added powder and a bullet.
And it went to one of us like that.
When you are reloading, inspect every case.
I don’t think that is an error. I have seen those stepped cases around. I don’t know if they get better velocity with reduced case volume or why they have them.
I have heard 2 separate logical reasons for the stepped cases. Which I true, I don’t know. Less powder as you mentioned, but also to prevent Bullet setback.
If it’s not an error, you’d expect all the cases to look like that. If just one or a few cases look like this, it’s an error.