cases with lube dents: Are they safe?

[coosbaycreep]

I'm fairly new to rifle reloading still, and I've got a fair amount of rifle brass with dents in them from using too much lube. The first rifle cases I ever resized were .223 and .308, and after I dented a few, I got the feel for about how much case lube I need to use and quit screwing them up.

Lately I've been reloading for .303british though, and out of about 35 cases or so, probably half have dents because it's so much more difficult to resize than all the rest of the calibers I shoot, and I just haven't done too good on getting just the right amount of case lube to resize without using too much and denting them.

My question is, are these safe to shoot? I've already fired a few of the .303 with very small dents in them with no problems, but some of them have dents all the way around them, or bigger dents, and I wanted to find out if that's safe first before I shoot those and end up with a face full of shrapnel or something.

I figure since .303 is rimmed, it's probably not as big of a deal too, but I honestly have no idea.

How about cartridges that don't space off the rim, like 30-06, 308, etc? Would these little dents make those more unsafe to fire?

thanks

 

[jcwit]

They'll fire form when you shoot them. What kind of lube are you using?

 

[dakotasin]

as long as the cases weren't creased, i've always 'fireformed' lube dented cartridges. i've never had one dent all the way around though, and if i did, i would pitch it.

when in doubt, just pitch it - brass isn't that expensive.

 

[coosbaycreep]

this is about the best pic I could get of what some of them look like:


I'm using the RCBS case lube that came with my rockchucker kit. I've asked about other problems I've had reloading .303 on another board, and everybody suggested imperial lube/wax(?), so I'll buy some of that eventually too.

Some of them have 3 dents on them going around the case, and one has about 5 dents on it. They're not big, but the case feels more hexagonal than round, so I probably won't load that one.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Those are perfectly safe to load and shoot. The dents will come out when they're fired.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jcwit]

Got any Mink Oil paste laying around used for your boots or shoes? Works just as good as the Imperial Lube, Lanolin also works well. As far as the cases go there perfectly safe to load and shoot. Go for it.

Best
jcwit

Even the one that has 5 dents is OK.

 

[JimKirk]

Shoot away... those are safe!! If you have any with sharp crease lines I would dispose of those.

I had the same trouble with 223 cases when I first started loading it ... I guess that it is so much smaller than the Cartridges I normally loaded.

Jimmy K

 

[coosbaycreep]

thanks for all the replies

jcwit- I don't have any mink oil or anything similar laying around. After 3 incredibly long years in the army, I will NEVER shine another pair of boots as long as I live. Good to know that that stuff can be substituted though.

 

[NCsmitty]

It would be good to run a piece of rag into the die to remove any excess lube that might be hanging around in there, if you haven't done it yet.




NCsmitty

 

[jcwit]

Mink Oil is not used to shine boots. It a waterproofing to be applied to Hunting boots, work boots, wellington work boots ect ect. Works fantisic on the stitched seams to waterproof them. Actually is mostly lanoline from sheeps wool. Available at WallyWorld in the shoe dept.

Actually the Army taught me to take care of my footwear and I still shine my boots and shoes, I'm now 67 years old.

Thanks for serving our country, helping to make it safe for the rest of us.

 

[lgbloader]

Yup, load 'em and shoot 'em.

LGB