CQB45ACP
Member
Was just going to post a short note in the "what've you done today" thread, but it grew too lengthy.
This AM I loaded 20 Winchester 45acp cases for the 25th time each since end of May 2023. They weren't new then so unfortunately I don't know the total number of loadings but again, I do know these specific cases have been used 25 times over the past year.
As I've reported before, they have gotten shorter by a lot and are now below SAAMI minimum. Started at .894" and now are mostly .885ish".
A couple months ago, many of the primer pockets had gotten too tight/short for a gauge to fit so I reamed and uniformed them all to spec but did NOT oversize them. Haven't touched them since.
As predicted however, except for some headstamp damage, there are no other tell tale signs of wear and tear or damage to these cases.
BTW, I've used just two 1911 pistols for this past year and they're obviously very easy on the headstamps. And I've used the same light 4.5gr load of Bullseye.
I've reduced the number of this batch of Winchester cases I shoot each range visit because
1) I've become weary of and get increasingly distracted by trying to recover each and every case so my testing isn't screwed up.
2) there are some blamo rounds I like to shoot using different powders & bullets including like the recovered Acme fiasco rounds I've been breaking down.
3) introducing my custom cutdown 45 Win Mag cases has added a layer of distraction to range day. But, I only shoot one or two mags of these each visit and it's cool to make your own cases and show off to guys at the range so I'll keep it up.
4) I'm going to the range less frequently so each visit is more precious.
As for future plans, except for the Win Mags and occasional others, I'm using my original batch of 300 Winchester cases I sorted out last May until they've been lost or destroyed. All the many other headstamp cases I have will go unused until that time. If there is such a time.
Finally (whew), while many can say they've been using these or those cases since so and so was President, I can say specifically how many times I've actually loaded these cases since so and so was President. Know what that's worth? Nothing that I can think of at the moment, but I'll let you know if I come up with something.
I refer you back to this article for a more structured test if that's of interest to you.
This AM I loaded 20 Winchester 45acp cases for the 25th time each since end of May 2023. They weren't new then so unfortunately I don't know the total number of loadings but again, I do know these specific cases have been used 25 times over the past year.
As I've reported before, they have gotten shorter by a lot and are now below SAAMI minimum. Started at .894" and now are mostly .885ish".
A couple months ago, many of the primer pockets had gotten too tight/short for a gauge to fit so I reamed and uniformed them all to spec but did NOT oversize them. Haven't touched them since.
As predicted however, except for some headstamp damage, there are no other tell tale signs of wear and tear or damage to these cases.
BTW, I've used just two 1911 pistols for this past year and they're obviously very easy on the headstamps. And I've used the same light 4.5gr load of Bullseye.
I've reduced the number of this batch of Winchester cases I shoot each range visit because
1) I've become weary of and get increasingly distracted by trying to recover each and every case so my testing isn't screwed up.
2) there are some blamo rounds I like to shoot using different powders & bullets including like the recovered Acme fiasco rounds I've been breaking down.
3) introducing my custom cutdown 45 Win Mag cases has added a layer of distraction to range day. But, I only shoot one or two mags of these each visit and it's cool to make your own cases and show off to guys at the range so I'll keep it up.
4) I'm going to the range less frequently so each visit is more precious.
As for future plans, except for the Win Mags and occasional others, I'm using my original batch of 300 Winchester cases I sorted out last May until they've been lost or destroyed. All the many other headstamp cases I have will go unused until that time. If there is such a time.
Finally (whew), while many can say they've been using these or those cases since so and so was President, I can say specifically how many times I've actually loaded these cases since so and so was President. Know what that's worth? Nothing that I can think of at the moment, but I'll let you know if I come up with something.
I refer you back to this article for a more structured test if that's of interest to you.
How many times can I reload 45 ACP brass? – Florida Reloading
www.floridareloading.com