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case life
nemesisenforcer
Member Posts: 10,513 ✭✭✭
Roughly how many reloads do you guys find you get on a higher velocity round, such as .223?
Comments
What?
I've reloaded some rifle cases in the non magnum class 5-6 times with full length sizing and more than that with neck sizing.
3 times seems low, even assuming full length sizing and magnum pressures.
Or am I just crazy?
Maybe he was referring to a more cheaply made brand, I do not agree with his
assessment if he says it's for all brass.
I have loaded rifle brass, even hot 7mm mag more times then that, and I always full length resize.
Now I do inspect all my rifle brass more closely then pistol , and do have occasional
pieces " go bad " sooner then others.
I do keep track of # of reloadings and after 6 or so I use them for "target" loads.
Have you tried to find any ammo, or components lately?
Read an article recently wherein the author claimed that high pressure rifle cases were only good for 3 loadings after the initial firing.
What?
I've reloaded some rifle cases in the non magnum class 5-6 times with full length sizing and more than that with neck sizing.
3 times seems low, even assuming full length sizing and magnum pressures.
Or am I just crazy?
You well may be crazy, but that's not relevant here...lol
Heaven knows WHY an alleged experienced reloader would make such a generalized claim...Are you certain he wasn't speaking about a specific chambering/caliber? If not, his ignorance is showing, is all I can "assume" (God, I hate to use that word!)
Bottom line, let brass inspection tell the tale. Cracks, incipent case head separation, or a loose primer pocket means scrap it. Failing those, if trimmed and sized, it's good to go.
Now I am trying to see just how far I can push it.
I've found that after brass has been trimmed 3 times this is a GOOD indicator that the brass is at the end of its useful life as a HIGH VELOCITY LOAD. After it's been trimmed 3 times I then label the brass FOR LOW VELOCITY loads, and reload the brass for low recoil, low velocity loads with good results.
I've reloaded some brass 20 times or more by neck sizing only.
I've also found it's quite common for NEW brass to require trimming when first fired. Also every once in awhile I've seen some NEW brass would be at the outer limit for trimming when new before firing.
Summary: I keep a HEADS UP on the log of how many times the brass has REQUIRED trimming to length and use 3 as a indicator of useful life without possible case separation for my regular loads.
In that rifle, cases can stand only about three full-power loadings before showing incipient case separation. Cases loaded to moderate pressure like those with cast bullets can last a lot longer.
Could it be you were reading an article about reloading for the SMLE .303 British?
In that rifle, cases can stand only about three full-power loadings before showing incipient case separation. Cases loaded to moderate pressure like those with cast bullets can last a lot longer.
It was an article about some of the less popular magnum calibers (the Winchester super shorts and what not) and was in a sidebar about stocking up on brass lest the cartridge become unavailable commercially.