Is any size of case dent or ding acceptable when reloading 1x fired brass?

[sladenotdead]

I'm doing some reloading for the first time. I bought 2500 1x fired brass, and maybe 10% or so have small dings on the side. I'm wondering if some are ok still or if any size of ding makes it useless? I threw out about a dozen or so for dented shoulders and bad necks, but other than that just some minor dings on the sides. Any shared wisdom is appreciated as I am brand new at this and an taking my time. Thx in advance

 

[918v]

Dings are OK as long as the case walls aren't folded over themselves.

 

[cfullgraf]

Dents in the neck can be reworked by hand to be round enough to insert in a die. The die and expander button will finish the job. If the neck is creased, it may not be recoverable. If the neck is torn, toss the case.

Small dents in the shoulder and body are not a worry. They will blow out on firing. What is small? If shoulder dents do not cross over one of the bends to the neck or body, it is probably small enough to not be a problem.

Body dents, it is hard to say. Sometimes resizing will iron them out. Sometimes the dent will get worse. A small ding where the ejected case ran into something sharp would probably not be a problem. A dent like someone stepped on the case is a case for the scrap heap.

The safe thing with body dents is to scrap the case.

Hope this helps.

 

[918v]

Dents like these are OK, even if they are deeper. Dents where the brass is crushed and folded over are not OK.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr NotDead -

Good question.

Not counting rips and tears... just dings, I would tend to go more by how they look just before bullet seating starts. After having the sizing die run over them and an expander placed inside, you'll find that 95% of objectionable features completely go away.

After awhile, you'll be able to look at a case and tell if it will make it that far.

 

[Yellowfin]

I just resized some 7.62x54R brass from my PSL which had a dent in them from the shoulder to the body, about the length of a small staple. Upon sizing the dent actually got a bit worse, and is shaped like a kite. Apparently the majority of the dent's size came after the resizing, like I used too much lube, which those are said to be safe usually to shoot. Is it safe to reload these?

 

[A and O]

My rule of thumb is it fits in the case gauge it is good to go. Don't have a case gauge for that one? Try it in your chamber.

Assuming common sense would tell you whether or not that the case is still useable aside from the dent.

I make a judgement on all cases prior to sizing them, especially on bottleneck cases. some cases get tossed even if they still look good but only have a small crease in them. Don't want to risk a stuck case.

 

[rodregier]

Sharp creases worry me, dents and dings much less so. Needs to fit gage after resizing or it goes in the scrap bucket.

 

[sauer1911]

I agree with everyones' statements. As long as the brass isnt split along the edge where, well anywhere on the brass it should be good to go.

I have had some Fiocchi .45acp ammo that have a small fold of the brass. It happened when the bullet was seated and wouldnt drop in the barrel. (from the factory)

For the most part keep an eye on all of it, but it SHOULD be good for many reloads.

have fun, save money and be safe