Testing mangled brass is a moot point with me. I have no intention of ever using brass like that pictured in any gun of mine, I have absolutely no need (And I wouldn't think my guns' chambers would contain, alleviate any damage. Chambers do get damaged). For a End of The World situation (Mad Max like) there might, might, be a need, but I'd go with a muzzle loader and besides If cases became unavailable, absolutely no brass supply, I have enough to last me the rest of my life. Be Prepared!..
Trashed Brass
- Thread starter Highland Lofts
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entropy
Member
In a Mad Max situation, there'd be cases on the ground wherever any action took place. But the only way to harvest it is to either be the victor, or wait until the victor has moved on. On the plus side of being the victor, it would be more expedient to pick up the oppositions' weapons and/or ammo. Remember SGM Plumley: "Sir, if the time comes I need one, there'll be plenty lying on the ground."
entropy
Member
Quite a few of them in .30-06 in my case, back when I still used the RCBS 'roll-'em pad. I don't get that problem with One-Shot.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
The only way I would mess with mangled brass in regards to reloading it is if I am sitting in a cave, desperate for ammo because “they” are coming and there is no choice. 
.38 Special
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I've fireformed and "blown out" cases that involved a much greater degree of dimensional change than is shown by the OP's pictures. Not exactly apples to apples, but there you go.
Having said that, put me down with the other folks who aren't seeing the point, other than perhaps a bit of knowledge gained. I have never felt the need to scrounge range brass, occasional rare finds excepted - I still have those twenty .50 BMG cases left on the ground by, apparently, the wealthiest rifleman who ever lived.
Having said that, put me down with the other folks who aren't seeing the point, other than perhaps a bit of knowledge gained. I have never felt the need to scrounge range brass, occasional rare finds excepted - I still have those twenty .50 BMG cases left on the ground by, apparently, the wealthiest rifleman who ever lived.
.38 Special
When I first started shooting my .50 I couldn't believe how many guys didn't save their brass!
So, a lot of the brass i acquired was from guys that didn't want theirs. Most was good brass also and being fired through a bolt gun, it didn't get stretched out like stuff from a semi.
When I first started shooting my .50 I couldn't believe how many guys didn't save their brass!
So, a lot of the brass i acquired was from guys that didn't want theirs. Most was good brass also and being fired through a bolt gun, it didn't get stretched out like stuff from a semi.
.38 Special
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That's actually shocking to hear. Those huge cases look like collector's items even to the uninitiated. I'm amazed that anyone ever leaves them around.
Average Joe
Member
WHY ? There are literally hundreds of cases laying all over at my range, why would anybody even bother with trash like that ? Just toss them.
OP
OP
Highland Lofts
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I could do that. I just sold a local guy 3,000 pieces of 223 and he just bought an annealer. I could have him anneal them.
lightman
Member
I've played around some with trashed brass before. If the case is crushed to the point that it has a sharp fold in it I have found that it will split prematurely at that point. If the case mouth is bent somewhat out of round I run a polished center punch into it to straighten it and they load, shoot and hold up as normal. Dents, even fairly large dents seem to be a non issue as long as there is enough shoulder to headspace. They fireform out and don't seem to raise the pressure. I suppose, much like using a max load for the parent caliber when forming Ackley Improved cases. I have not tested the accuracy of these cases. The ones that you picture that are badly crushed or folded over would get scrapped.
Many calibers are so plentiful that trying to salvage them doe's not make sense. Many of the pictured cases are consistent with cases that I find on deadend gravel roads that have been run over.
Many calibers are so plentiful that trying to salvage them doe's not make sense. Many of the pictured cases are consistent with cases that I find on deadend gravel roads that have been run over.
Bula
Member
Maybe the "After" cases were annealed then photographed? This just seems like extra work to me. Maybe if it were some wildcat cartridge or rare H&H caliber, because of necessity. ALTHOUGH, I totally get the curiosity angle. Stay safe brother.
OP
OP
Highland Lofts
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I just ordered 500 - .224 - 55 grain FMJ bullets to get started on this.
Next week I will be working out of town so I can get working on them after that.i might have time to resize them before I leave early Monday morning.
We has a no shooting restriction going on because of the wild fires here in the State of Washington right now so it might be a while before I can get out to shoot anything.
I will post pictures as things happen.
Next week I will be working out of town so I can get working on them after that.i might have time to resize them before I leave early Monday morning.
We has a no shooting restriction going on because of the wild fires here in the State of Washington right now so it might be a while before I can get out to shoot anything.
I will post pictures as things happen.
armoredman
Member
I am sorry, but I would never even attempt to reload that brass, just me. That would go to the recycle guy or my buddy with the rocket forge.
Ironicaintit
Member
I don’t mind some dents, but those things are past saving.
Toprudder
Member
I could see the point if it was brass that was very hard to come by, but for 223 that is so common, I see no reason.
forty_caliber
Member
I respectfully submit my Darwin Award application. Here is my exhibit. Thank you for your consideration.
This is asking for trouble to come for visit and stay awhile...
Hey Bubba hold my beer and watch this....
Awww c'mon it's just a little gunpowder and explosives....
Well grandkids, this is how I lost my finger...
/end rant
.40
This is asking for trouble to come for visit and stay awhile...
Hey Bubba hold my beer and watch this....
Awww c'mon it's just a little gunpowder and explosives....
Well grandkids, this is how I lost my finger...
/end rant
.40
shamfrod
Member
I guess I'm in the minority and look forward to your results. It will be interesting to see if the integrity of the cases are compromised because of their condition. Hopefully they shoot well, fire-form out and last a good while. Be safe.
OP
OP
Highland Lofts
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Being 223 i think everything will be fine and hold up.
I get buckets & buckets & buckets of range brass that I prep and trade or sell.
After seeing that post of the five trash cases and the target shot at a hundred yards I started to set trash 223 brass aside for this project.
I eill be shooting these out of a Remington 788 in 223 that I ended up for free in a firearm deal several months ago.
I bought three guns for $850 and sold two for $850 so the 3rd gun was free to me.
I get buckets & buckets & buckets of range brass that I prep and trade or sell.
After seeing that post of the five trash cases and the target shot at a hundred yards I started to set trash 223 brass aside for this project.
I eill be shooting these out of a Remington 788 in 223 that I ended up for free in a firearm deal several months ago.
I bought three guns for $850 and sold two for $850 so the 3rd gun was free to me.
If this were some sort of rare brass, like 5.7mm Johnson, then I might consider loading these cases with a very light loading to restore them to the dimensions of the chamber, but I have tossed upwards of 30% of 30 Carbine brass (the source for 5.7mm Johnson) that I received from third party sellers because I found it to be too far out of specification.
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