BRASS QUESTION!!

[74man]

This should be a quick question, I bought some ARMSCOR, no, primer brass for a 38 special, does new brass have to be sized???

 

[troy fairweather]

Yes

 

[Highland Lofts]

All brass needs to be resized before loading no matter new or used.

 

[bullseye308]

All brass from every manufacturer in every caliber should be resized.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Absolutely!!!

why?

necks get banged around and dented.

I just measured about 12 new Hornady .243 Win the other day. The OAL was identical. I used them to set my die, ran them through, measured neck and shoulder. Felt good. But the other 88 pieces are gonna get sized too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

100% resize it, especially if UPS delivered it!

 

[Random 8]

In .38 or any straight wall cartridge, you may be able to skip sizing, (why would you when it's so easy on straight walls?), you absolutely cannot skip expanding.

Not the OPs question, but for other readers. With bottleneck cases, I will adjust my dies up significantly to only size about 1/2 of the neck on new brass.

 

[dgod]

Wow, I must be behind the knowledge curve, been loading since 1985, and never have I sized NEW brass. I never had a problem with a loaded bullet in unsized new brass.

Dan

 

[lowcountry308]

I know you’re not using Starline brass but it is a good indication of the industry standard.

I do just to be safe and with it being pistol there’s really no extra step on my Lee turret.


“Generally speaking, Starline cases require no resizing prior to loading. Due to variances in diameter of different bullet types, it is a good practice to size the case only as far down as the bullet seating depth. When full length sizing is required, it will be noted in the box with the brass. The only Starline cases requiring full length sizing prior to loading are the .454 Casull, .458 SOCOM, and sometimes the .45 Colt(Depending on the bullet diameter to be used).”

 

[Walkalong]

A lot of new cases can be used without being sized, but sooner or later it can bite you.

Besides, I want it to match how it will be all the other times I am going to load it, which is my main reason for sizing it.

 

[FROGO207]

I always size new to me brass no matter the source. I also would measure the length of a random few. If no other reason than to assure they will be able to roll crimp the same amount. I have however never bothered to length check any range brass used in a semi auto caliber. I still always will spot check all new brass for length though.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I found about 10% of new brass I purchased needed sizing so I just size and trim all new and fired brass so I know it is all in spec

 

[sparkyv]

This:

A lot of new cases can be used without being sized, but sooner or later it can bite you.

 

[AJC1]

I would say you should size them all but in the case of a strait wall pistol expanding should correct any shipping issues.

 

[lightman]

A lot of new cases can be used without being sized, but sooner or later it can bite you.

Besides, I want it to match how it will be all the other times I am going to load it, which is my main reason for sizing it.

The "sooner or later" part is why I resize everything. With carbide dies a straight wall case like your 38 special is easy and quick to resize.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

This should be a quick question, I bought some ARMSCOR, no, primer brass for a 38 special, does new brass have to be sized???

Usually want to run any brass new to me through my sizing dies, whether it’s ever been fired or not. Just to keep things consistent.

 

[AK Hunter]

Aside from the shipping issues you need to size them to insure repeatability. After developing your load in this new brass you have to have everything the same so can do it again for your next loads. If you load them without sizing the cases may be a little loose & won't get full pressure, so the next time you load after resizing the cases could be tighter then give you higher pressures.
So yes you need to size new brass.

 

[.308 Norma]

does new brass have to be sized???

Not unless you want to load it.

 

[e rex]

My Dillon 550 requires the handle be pulled to put a new primer in the cup anyway.

 

[Otto]

…. does new brass have to be sized???

The best answer is to load some and find out yourself.

 

[Rule3]

This question comes up a lot. Why? I don't know??

Rephrase the question:

Why would you NOT resize new brass????

For the life of the brass it is going to be resized every time it is loaded.

What does NOT resizing new brass accomplish?. Is it to save a step in reloading it?,

 

[Mark_Mark]

I like to resize all brass to FEEL it for issues. You can feel it.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I resize everything. I follow the same process, new or used, so as to get the same feel in the press at each step.

 

[bullseye308]

Must be nice to use new brass. I have never had any new brass, it’s just new to me. From 25+ years of reading forums the answer is yes, it is always a good practice to follow and that way you know for sure it is right.

 

[Y-T71]

For only the second time in 30+years I bought new brass.

The first being some Starline 10mm brass 10-15 years ago.

I did NOT resize that brass (not sure why) and had no problems with it in my 1006.

I have been accumulating new 7.62x39 (both Winchester and Starline) and will definitely be resizing them.

I've never trimmed pistol brass but feel that it's possible these might need a trim to get consistent length.