.44 Mag brass question

[R-Tex12]

Hi, guys -

I found a box of fired PMC .44 Mag brass at the range yesterday. In looking closely, I see that the brass has a slight bulge (about .007") on one side near the base. I decapped a few and see that the flash hole is quite off-center - maybe as much as 1/2 the diameter of the hole itself. The bulge is on the side of the case that is closest to the off-center flash hole. After going through the sizer/decapper die, the bulge is gone but there is a very slight ridge that is visible and can be felt with my thumbnail. The case goes into the case gauge smoothly.

Is this brass safe to use for reloading, or should I just toss it? It would be for light loads (8 grains of Unique under a 240 grain SWC), not magnum loads.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

 

[critter]

Not unusual at all. PMC is good brass. Use it.

 

[R-Tex12]

Thanks, critter -

I really appreciate the info. Now I can rest easy tonight!

Rick

 

[Standing Wolf]

It would be for light loads (8 grains of Unique under a 240 grain SWC), not magnum loads.

I'd be inclined to use it, but segregate it from my regular .44 magnum brass. The bulge near the base may be the result of its having been fired in the Desert Eagle or another semi-automatic .44. I'm unfamiliar with semi-automatic .44s, but if the case isn't fully supported all the way around, it could bulge slightly.

 

[R-Tex12]

Good idea about keeping the brass segregated (can we still say that? ), Standing Wolf.

Thanks!

Rick