Case Longevity

[CoRoMo]

So... how many firings does your brass live through?

I reload...
Rifle: .270, 30-06, 30-30
Pistol: .38, .357

How many uses should I expect to get out of such cases?

 

[NuJudge]

Longevity depends on several things.

Assuming good brass:

For .38's, with a mild crimp, 6 to 8 loadings before mouth splits. With strong crimps necessary for heavier bullets or slower powders, less.

For .357's, with the heavy bullets and slow powders I use, about 4 loadings before mouth splits.

For .30-'06 in just one bolt action rifle with neck sizing only, they last forever. For use in various bolt action rifles with full length sizing, 6 to eight. For use in a Garand, I throw them away at 4.

I don't shoot thutty-thutty or .270.

CDD

 

[rcmodel]

For all the bottle-neck rifle calibers, bend a paper-clip or wire with a small L on the end.

Reach down inside the case and feel for a ring about exactly where the shiny ring on the outside of the case is.

If you can feel it, it is an incipient head separation.
Throw it away!

The solid lock-up of a front locking lug bolt-action will be much kinder on the brass then a springy lever-action 30-30.


rcmodel