Visual examples of defects indicating when brass should not be reloaded any more?

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gfanikf

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The lyman guide has some good examples, but mostly for case head seperation. I was wondering if anyone had visual examples or links to pics or video showing what other things I should look out for and that indicate its time to move on.

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I don't think I have any pics, but examine your necks for splits. Sometimes they'll occur right at the rim of the case mouth. Although, sometimes (depending on the caliber being reloaded) I'll continue using a case with a neck split.

THe case head separation usually begins with a partial ring, up above the "rings" that a full-length sizer leaves. To check, you can take a straightened paper clip and bend a small hook on the end. Sharpen that hook on a stone and use it to drag against the inside walls of the case. Don;t let carbon gunk fool you, but if a crack is beginning, and you're paying close attention, you'll feel it with the paperclip. On larger caliber cases I use a dental pick.

Alot depends on the caliber and condition of the rifle, too. A Savage 99 of mine, in 300Sav, will go from a good case, to very mild signs at the case head on the next loading, to a full crack or even a complete separation in the next firing. I've learned to load them light for that rifle and examine the cases carefully after each firing.
 
Cracks in the mouth, neck or body, primer pockets too large to hold the primer, case head separation, and 'cause I feel like it are the main reasons I scrap cases.

Generally, cases in different firearms fail for different reasons.

My ARs tend to expand the primer pockets beyond use after 5 or 6 loadings.
My 22 Hornet has case head separation failures. Handgun rounds have mouth or body splits or cases pass through the Bermuda triangle on the way to the ground.
 
This case was a factory Hornady LeveRevolution .30-30. Don't think I'll be reloading this one. :D
 

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Good post. The splits are easy to spot so a no brainer on that one. Impending case head separation is what I have a hard time with. Do you always see the shiny brass ring before it blows? Does this happen to both rifle and pistol brass?
 
Impending case head separation begins inside the case, and it isn't always visible on the outside. This picture (from my website) shows the inside of a case that would be very likely to separate on the next firing.

headspace-2.jpg
 
Here is the best I can do - an after-the-fact complete separation in 300 Savage. As Inovative says, it isn;t always visible on the outside. These were on the third firing, if I recall correctly.

IMG-20110709-00131.jpg
 
Also, it is not always a nice, even ring around the case head. You may see a partial ring that slants slightly uphill. When it goes, it will separate that way too.
 
45ACP. I was sorting 4000 pieces yesterday and almost missed this one.
I think a little JB Weld will fix it though....

img0133jl.jpg
 
Thank you everyone for the visual aids, it helps a great deal. What about nicks in the rim (not sure if I'm using the right term) of the cartridge?
 
Federal 9mm reloaded once.

Split9mmCases.jpg

Reloading mistakes, and defective cases:
Rejectcases.jpg

Copper Crusher pressure gun once-fired brass from Remington factory:
2231.jpg

rc
 
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Hey! GOfer it!

I always like to see other stuff!

I'm pretty 100% sure I haven't seen it all yet!

rc
 
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