Brass question.

[Montana Griz]

Why is STARLINE BRASS (in this case) 45.acp) considered by some to be "the best" brass you can use .?

2nd: Being new brass....should it be run through the sizing die before use.?

3rd...Should all these new cases be checked for proper "case length" before use?

Thanks...............

After thought question:......using Berry's "Plated 185 & 200 gr bullets."....should they be given "a light Taper" Crimp. (using Lee Factory Taper Crimp Die that came with the Carbide Set.).....Starline Brass.

 

[788Ham]

Starline brass has been around for years, a lot of guys on here use it exclusively.

Sizing should be done on any new brass

You can check it, but wait until you've shot it a couple of times before trimming to length. Some on THR will tell you no need to trim at all.

Good luck

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I've never trimmed .45 brass.

 

[A-FIXER]

Exactly as 788 says!!!

 

[ReloaderFred]

I don't consider Starline to be the "Best" brass, but the quality is certainly up there. In .45 acp my order of preference is (1) Winchester-thickest, (2) Federal-2nd thickest, (3) Starline, and then on down the line.

I size all new brass, no matter the caliber.

I almost never trim pistol brass, with the sole exception being some 357 Sig brass that was too long and I insisted on using it.

With .45 acp I use just enough taper crimp to remove the bell from the case mouth and to ensure smooth feeding and bullet tension, though neck tension is the primary consideration in bullet retention.

I've been loading ammunition about twice as long as Starline has been in business, so I may be biased in my opinions....

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say that I NEVER size new cases.

HOWEVER

I do mic the case necks to ensure adequate neck tension.

If brass wasn't sized to saami spec when new it'd be considered pretty crappy brass.

+1 on the never trim or check pistol brass for length

 

[Shmackey]

Pistol brass shrinks, if anything. No need to trim.

Crimping .45 ACP is just a matter of unflaring the flare you made prior to searing. Adding up the diameter of the bullet plus the width of the brass, your "crimped" width should be 0.471. You can take it down to 0.470 or 0.469, but don't go below that. And yes it's a taper crimp, never a roll crimp for .45 ACP.

 

[savanahsdad]

I just sorted a bunch of 45acp last week ,and checked weight and the star-line were heaver than all others , more weight =more brass , star-line really shines in wheel guns 38, 357mag and 44mag. they just slide out better with hot loads like they were light loads, in a 45acp I don't think there is any up side to them , so is it the best? in some guns but not all. I can tell you I have yet to scrap any do to loose primer pockets

 

[murf]

i always trim my pistol brass.

autoloaders headspace on the case mouth. i don't want variable headspace so, i trim. revolver cartridges get a roll crimp. that crimp will vary if the case length is not the same so, i trim.

i like accurate loads.

murf

 

[Shmackey]

Autoloaders are _supposed_ to headspace on the case mouth. If you check your reloads carefully, especially after five or six runs, you might be surprised to see where they're actually headspacing.

 

[Snag]

Why is STARLINE BRASS (in this case) 45.acp) considered by some to be "the best" brass you can use .?

Excellent question. I'm new to reloading and have been wondering the same thing, especially since Starline is quite a bit cheaper than say Winchester brass.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO many claim Starline to be "the best" because it is of very high quality. Starline is a fairly new company so their machinery is also fairly new which makes for a very good product. The fact it costs less than most others doesn't hurt it at all.

I used to prefer Winchester until their QC fell off. Now I'm in a minority who likes Remington brass although I don't dislike Starline at all.

 

[Magnum Shooter]

All my hot maximum loads are in new, never loaded Starline brass. I always size and check the length/flash hole. Because anybody can make a mistake and there is little room for error when loading hot. Starline makes good brass and the lower price is second consideration.