Madcap_Magician
Member
How many times can you reload brass safely?
Reloading brass
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
It depends greatly on many variables.
Light .38 Special, probably 20 or more.
Max load rifle cartridges in a Lee-Enfield with loose headspace.
Once might be one too many.
rc
Light .38 Special, probably 20 or more.
Max load rifle cartridges in a Lee-Enfield with loose headspace.
Once might be one too many.
rc
Deanimator
Member
Until it has visible signs of being unsafe to use:
1. mouth splits in straight cases
2. neck splits in bottleneck cases
3. shoulder splits in bottleneck cases
4. incipient head separations
5. loose primer pockets
6. excessive bulging
etc.
As long as it looks like any other fired case, you can keep using it.
1. mouth splits in straight cases
2. neck splits in bottleneck cases
3. shoulder splits in bottleneck cases
4. incipient head separations
5. loose primer pockets
6. excessive bulging
etc.
As long as it looks like any other fired case, you can keep using it.
Madcap_Magician
Member
Thanks gentlemen... I was just wondering because I have about 200 rds of American Eagle brass to be sending to Mastercast (I have never done that before) and all I can find as far as ammo to buy now is aluminum Blazer, so that 200 rounds might have to last me a while. It is .38 Special, though.
jcwit
member
I beg to differ that alu. is not reloadable.
Two summers ago I made an experiment using boxer primed, CCI, alu cases. It is possible and it did work for the 4 consecutive reloadings of 5 cases till I ended the experiment. The loadings were in the mid range for powder charge. So, yes it is possible, recommended, NO, do so at your own risk.
Regarding how long does brass last? Many many facters involved in this. Talked today to one of my benchrest shooting friends. He has 5 cases with 1,500 confermed reloads in each one. cal is 6 BR, each case is bumped every 30 reloadings, normal charge is 33 gr. of 135 V/V, with a 68 gr. bullet. This is with a custom built rifle, with a precision chamber. He did state they are now ready to be retired as the primer pocket is just starting to loosen.
How many times can one reload brass, many many times.
Two summers ago I made an experiment using boxer primed, CCI, alu cases. It is possible and it did work for the 4 consecutive reloadings of 5 cases till I ended the experiment. The loadings were in the mid range for powder charge. So, yes it is possible, recommended, NO, do so at your own risk.
Regarding how long does brass last? Many many facters involved in this. Talked today to one of my benchrest shooting friends. He has 5 cases with 1,500 confermed reloads in each one. cal is 6 BR, each case is bumped every 30 reloadings, normal charge is 33 gr. of 135 V/V, with a 68 gr. bullet. This is with a custom built rifle, with a precision chamber. He did state they are now ready to be retired as the primer pocket is just starting to loosen.
How many times can one reload brass, many many times.
You can reload pistol until it splits or you lose it.
Rifle is another story. I have 30/30 Win brass that I have loaded 20 times and it is in the dirty bin awaiting another trip through the line.
My big Magnum Caliber rifles... I have had 3-4 firings before and the cases are toast. That pisses me off but what can you do. I load Magnums and if I want a reduced load, I shoot a 308 WIN
LGB
Rifle is another story. I have 30/30 Win brass that I have loaded 20 times and it is in the dirty bin awaiting another trip through the line.
My big Magnum Caliber rifles... I have had 3-4 firings before and the cases are toast. That pisses me off but what can you do. I load Magnums and if I want a reduced load, I shoot a 308 WIN
LGB
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