How many times reload same brass?

[BGD]

How many times can you reload the same cases? I am using once fired federal 45 ACP cases.

Thanks

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

it depends

but with .45 ACP, i usually lose them in the grass before they are no longer reloadable.

it'd be cool if we had a definite number, but we don't.

 

[oldpapps]

I shoot on my asphalt driveway and loose very, very few cases. I have cases that the head stamps are pounded to the point it takes some looking to figure out what they are. How many times loaded? Wouldn't have a clue. This is for .40S&Ws and .45ACPs. .44Mags get moved from full power to light target loads after 8 or more loadings. They last till the case mouth splits. How many loads? Don't know.

Rifle brass doesn't last nearly as long. Too high of pressures and working it while sizing take a toll.

Did this help in your quest for info?

 

[BGD]

That what I was looking for. Wasn't sure if I should throw them out after 10 reloads or keep going.

Thanks!!!

 

[cfullgraf]

I tend to lose them before the 45 ACP fails. My home set up is pretty good that I lose less than 1/4 a percent or so when I shoot the 45 ACP.

45 ACP cases last a long time.

 

[soloban]

Semi Auto cases that headspace off the case rim like 9mm, 45 ACP, .380, etc tend to last a while. I think the primer pockets wearing out will be the first indication though. Revolver rounds tend to last a while as well as long as the gun they are fired in have good chamber tolerances.

 

[Walkalong]

At .45 ACP pressures, it's hard to wear them out.

 

[Mike 27]

+1 for neck splits and primer pockets. I have them that I can't really tell what they are anymore. The head stamps are all but gone. The high pressure brass won't last near as long.

 

[Presto]

I wondered the same thing years ago, and decided to find out exactly how may loadings it took to wear out a .45 ACP case. I got tired of loading the same case after the sixteenth time and threw in the towel. The case still looked like new.

Occasionally, I'll have a split case mouth with my straight wall stuff. I use that as my indicator to throw out THAT CASE! I never throw out the whole lot. I have never had a catastrophic failure.

 

[06]

Have even shot some 45s that split. Noticed it after placing boolit in so went ahead--no problem but marked the case and discarded. Gave my son 50 LC Match 308 cases that he said split often so he tossed the whole batch. Annealed mine and they are working great. Do not know how many times they have been filled.

 

[BYJO4]

I begin to find a few cases out of 100 with small splits after 20 reloads. I can get 30 reloads out of most of them and then I discard.

 

[Lost Sheep]

That what I was looking for. Wasn't sure if I should throw them out after 10 reloads or keep going.

Thanks!!!

Keep going until they are no longer reloadable. Indications are:

1) You can't find them.

2) Case mouths are brittle (indicated by splitting of the brass or cracks at the case mouth). This is caused by hardening through cold-working of the case metal (by crimping, primarily - an issue mostly with roll-crimps, used most often in revolvers). Not usually found to be an issue with 45 ACP, 40 S&W 9mm or other semi-auto rounds).

2) cracking or splitting anywhere on the case. This should be patently obvious. Determination of the cause (if not on the mouth) should be a VITAL concern of any shooter.

3) Primer Pocket will not retain a primer any more. (A primary indication of the case having experienced overpressure, which is a separate issue than case life. Most often observed in bottlenecked brass. but sometimes found in straight-walled brass, too).

4) That's all I can think of right now. I will edit this post later if I think of any more.

Lost Sheep

 

[Fire_Moose]

A split case doesn't ring.

Meaning if you throw a split case in with your others, you should hear a difference.

useless signiture

 

[HighExpert]

If you are shooting target loads, you will get split cases from working the brass before you will shoot them out. Full power loads, about 10 reloads if you watch you belling and keep it to a minimum. The brass will also vary by brand.. Federal is harder than Winchester and will split sooner. PMC is harder yet and Starline is between Federal and Winchester. I have also gotten really good use out of IMI which has thicker case walls and seems to hold up longer even though it is hard.

 

[45lcshooter]

If you keep the loads light, you can have several reloads.

There isnt anyone the will or could say, "your going to get x amount of reloads out of it."

Factors of how many reloads are, quality of brass, manufacture.

 

[jmorris]

I have some 45 acp brass that has been shot and reloaded so many times the head stamp has been worn off.