45LC Win Silvertip Brass -- crimp ring?

[revo]

I bought a box of Winchester Silvertips, shot them, saved the brass, and I'd like to reload them if I can.

But...it appears there is a crimp-like ring around the case about mid-way between the head and the mouth. It looks like a real sharp crease almost. All the rounds came that way.

Are these OK to reload? Seems that crease may make that area of the case weak, no?

Note -- I will be using these for Ruger-only 45LC loads (light, starting loads, that is).

Am I OK to reload these cases?

Thanks in advance folks. And -- thanks for your patience with a confused/slightly-scared beginner.

 

[dmftoy1]

It's fine to reload them . . . I've often wondered what the purpose of that crease is though ..seems to only be on the wincheser "cowboy" rounds that I've got laying around. (.45LC, 45-70, etc.)

I'm hoping someone will chime in as to what the purpose of that mark is.

 

[BigG]

That crimp ring is designed to keep that bullet from being driven back into the case, although I haven't seen it on the rounds you mention, it's often found on 45 ACP ammo. It reloads just fine.

 

[ReloaderFred]

It's called a cannelure, and was originally designed to keep a bullet from setting back into the case during recoil. Now it's sometimes used as a form of decoration on cases, as evidenced by cannelures at the base of a case, or several cannalures at different places on the case. Manufacturers of nickel .38 Special cases are prone to this.

In some military applications, cannalures are placed on cases to indicate a special purpose, such as blanks, etc..

I've seen very few cases fail at the cannelure. Most split at the case mouth before the cannelure comes into play. Load them and don't worry about it.

Cannelures are also used on bullets and have commonly been referred to as crimping grooves, but the proper name is cannelure.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have found that cannelured ring on all manufacturers cases from 9mm to .45 and every thing in between and if it was to keep the bullet from being set back then we have a problem as they (the cannelure) is never in the same place. Some are actually in the right place to do as you said, to keep the bullet from setting back and others are half way down the case. Maybe in the early days it was meant to position the bullet, but I doubt it is used for that purpose now. Federal is one that has the cannelure all up and down the case. I have even seen cases (R-P) with two cannelures near the case head. I would hate to see a bullet set back to that position. Need a better answer as I, too, am curious as to what the case manufacturers have in mind these days for that "roming" cannelure...

 

[The Bushmaster]

Ooops...I need to read other's posts (ReloaderFred's) better. seems he already answered in a most reasonable manor. I will kinda disagree with him as most of my brass cases with the cannelure fail at the cannelure first. I have not had the nickled brass fail at the cannelure as of yet. Of course I use brass cases mostly as I use the nickled cases when going afield. I use leather cartridge belts.