Learned something new today...

[Candyman87]

Was loading some .380 today and I ran out of my favorite Winchester brass, so I opened a bag of new Magtech brass... I've used Magtech brass in the past and never had an issue.

After hand priming the brass, I started belling the brass and after about a dozen rounds one case was rather difficult and didn't think much of it. After about another dozen I had a case split while belling. Only then did I measure the cartridge length and it measured a whopping 0.744" instead of 0.680" max. I went back to measure the other one that gave me a problem and it measured 0.743"

I guess moving forward I'll be running every cartridge through a case gauge quickly before priming.

What other hints did you guys find out the hard way?

 

[moxie]

I seldom use new handgun brass, but when I do I always size it first. I never have noted a length problem, but checking is quick and only needs to be done one time. I just put the cases in a loading block after sizing and priming. Any shorties or longies just pop right out. Can't remember it happening in a very long time.

 

[morcey2]

Are you sure that you didn't get either a batch of 9x18 Mak or 9mm Luger brass? 0.746 is much closer to 9x19 than is is 380. Measure a couple that haven't been belled yet and see what you have. If they're marked as 380 Auto, I'd be giving Magtech a call. 0.070" is a heck of a lot of trimming.

Matt

 

[Candyman87]

moxie, I size always regardless of new or previously fired brass. I didn't notice during a visual inspection in the loading blocks.

morcey2, I double checked the bag of new brass, its marked .380 as well as the headstamps. After measuring I thought the same thing, but it's definitely .380 brass that's out of spec. I sent an email to Magtech with photos of the issue to make sure they're aware.

 

[Candyman87]

See below for photos... definitely something way wrong here.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Slightly OT but, those cases are flared A LOT! Do you always apply that much flare to your handgun cases? If yes I'm betting they don't last very long. Really, that is a lot of flare!!! (even the shorter case)

 

[Candyman87]

...and the emails sent to [email protected] and [email protected] have bounced. I guess I'll be calling tomorrow.

 

[Candyman87]

ArchAngelCD, the only reason those are flared as much as they are is that they're 0.073" too long. With cases within the 0.680" tolerance, the flare is between 0.001 and 0.002" -- just enough to get the bullet started.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The short case looks like an extreme flare too.
Never mind, sorry for the OT.

 

[Candyman87]

ArchAngelCD... weird lighting I guess. Thanks for the input though... always nice to get a second set of eyes.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Thanks for posting this. I have a bag of this 9x17 brass in my bench waiting for a future work up of premium ammo. I will go measure them all before they wreak havoc on my plans.

 

[Sunray]

Brand new brass is not and never has been ready to load out of the box. It must be checked for length and trimmed, chamfered and deburred as required and FL resized.

 

[Dudedog]

They must be that special .380 magnum brass

Ouch what PITA with new brass.

 

[Potatohead]

ArchAngelCD, the only reason those are flared as much as they are is that they're 0.073" too long. With cases within the 0.680" tolerance, the flare is between 0.001 and 0.002" -- just enough to get the bullet started.

Ive noticed my new cases always appear a lot more flared than regular old range brass. I cant even see the flare on my range brass but I can when I use my Starline. And both are just barely flared enough to receive a bullet. Hadn't really figured out what's up with that yet.

 

[Walkalong]

It doesn't look like .380 brass.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Trimmed pistol brass, LOL.

The only people I know who trim brass for their auto-loading pistols are old, retired, and bored.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It doesn't look like .380 brass.

I think you're right, it doesn't.

BTW, 9mm Para brass measured .754" so that brass @ .744" isn't far off. Is it possible the factory put the wrong brass in the package?
Measure the base and rim and see if it matches the 9mm or .380 ACP.

 

[goon]

I never trust brass that I buy primed. Bought some 7.62x54R once from Midway back when I had Mosins, and after several squibs in a very sweet M39, I realized that there was still lube in the casings contaminating my powder.

Now I size and tumble everything.

On handgun brass, no surprise to those who are more seasoned than me, but not all handgun brass is the same length! I learned this loading .357 one time when I had some perfect crimps, then I had some extremely messed up cartridges with too much crimp. I don't bother to trim them most of the time, but I do sort them by headstamp, which is usually good enough to get pretty consistent length.

 

[FMJBT]

Trimmed pistol brass, LOL.

The only people I know who trim brass for their auto-loading pistols are old, retired, and bored.

And those of us who convert 9x19 to 9x18

BTW. I'm none of the above either

 

[Mad Chemist]

Making Mak brass from 9x19 almost makes sense. It's starting to get pretty rare, at least around here.

 

[Candyman87]

I think you're right, it doesn't.

BTW, 9mm Para brass measured .754" so that brass @ .744" isn't far off. Is it possible the factory put the wrong brass in the package?
Measure the base and rim and see if it matches the 9mm or .380 ACP.

Definitely .380 brass. Measured .374" at the rim. Headstamp is .380. Just not trimmed to length.

I won't buy primed brass either... I process everything myself. Everything gets run through the sizer die... and from now on I'll be running everything through the calipers too, at least when new.