"Once fired" brass... check, check, check

[Luggernut]

Never bought any batches of brass before. Just picked up 1000 rounds of .45 ACP once fired brass (mix of Federal, Winchester and a few dozen misc others). I figured it would be safer to purchase once fired .45 ACP instead of .40 S&W of 9mm. Anyway- several rounds wouldn't fit in the gauge which was a surprise to me as I've refired many of my own brass without this issue (maybe fired from a Glock because of large buldge), one round had a split about 1/4" long. I'm no expert but I'm pretty certain it wasn't all "once fired". What has your experience been? Some brass had dings or scratches which I assumed was acceptable (like hits from the slide, etc.). A couple Win NT and a .45GAP mized in for good measure.

 

[cobra1414]

Thems the chances you take when buying "once-fired" brass. Theres really no way for sellers to verify that it was only once-fired, but if its range pick-ups theres a good chance most of it IS once-fired.

The bad pieces you got may be once-fired, maybe 10 times reloaded. Who knows. Throw them out. This is the chance you take buying used brass.

Still a much better deal than new brass.

 

[Idano]

If they are not split cracked rsisze them and shoot them, they will be fine.

 

[Sunray]

"...wouldn't fit in the gauge..." What guage? Resize 'em, load with a taper crimp and see if they'll drop fully into the chamber with the barrel out of the pistol. If they don't, pitch 'em. Pitch the NT's too. The last thing you need is a jammed primer feeder trying to fit a large pistol primer into a small pistol pocket. Keep the GAPs for your collection of cases if there's only one or two.

 

[Luggernut]

Sunray this is what I use. It's easier than using a chamber.


L.E. Wilson Max Cartridge Gage 45 ACP

Check all critical dimensions of straight wall cartridges - mouth diameter, base diameter, rim thickness and diameter, case and overall length and bullet diameter.

 

[mballai]

I've gotten a few 45 cases that just don't seem to size properly. These had headstamp markings of AMERC and GFL. If I should ever pick up these again I'll just toss in the trash.