Thread: Brass life?

As long as it chambers after a mild resize or better yet, after firing, you are all good.
Primer pockets still firm will generally mean you have no concerns with case head expansion.
Necks are generally first to go on L/A cases due to resizing and brass flo.
Should get at least 8-9 goes I reckon Gibo.


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Originally Posted by R93

As long as it chambers after a mild resize or better yet, after firing, you are all good.
Primer pockets still firm will generally mean you have no concerns with case head expansion.
Necks are generally first to go on L/A cases due to resizing and brass flo.
Should get at least 8-9 goes I reckon Gibo.


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Cheers Dave, they re chamber straight after firing, primers still tight. Good primers too
Il be happy to get another 4-5 re loads.

you might find if your not annealing your going to lose neck tension and accuracy soon after a few more firings. as the neck gets work hardened.

Originally Posted by bully

you might find if your not annealing your going to loose neck tension and accuracy soon after a few more firings. as the neck gets work hardened.

Sounds like something il look into.

Three indicators to look out for in reloaded brass:

1) loose primer pockets. Use a hand primer so you can "feel" when seating the primer. you cant feel anything if you seat the primer with your press.

2) slit necks...a sure sign the brass is betting brittle form being re-works, so they need anealing or you will get more split necks

3) brass thinning near the base.....VERY IMPORTANT to check for this or you will end up with case head separation. Its the result of brass flow from repeated reloading, and too much headspace, which is often because of setting your resize die up wrong.

Do a search on case head separation. Plenty on it and how to check for it.

Originally Posted by NZVarminter

Three indicators to look out for in reloaded brass:

1) loose primer pockets. Use a hand primer so you can "feel" when seating the primer. you cant feel anything if you seat the primer with your press.

2) slit necks...a sure sign the brass is betting brittle form being re-works, so they need anealing or you will get more split necks

3) brass thinning near the base.....VERY IMPORTANT to check for this or you will end up with case head separation. Its the result of brass flow from repeated reloading, and too much headspace, which is often because of setting your resize die up wrong.

Do a search on case head separation. Plenty on it and how to check for it.

+1

Reloading for semi autos is a different matter too.
I chuck my semi brass after 5-6 firings due to the increased headspace, chamber size and more violent extraction/ejection, especially in AK actions.

Bolt actions, I tend to neck size only and am up to 16 firings on some.

Originally Posted by NZVarminter

Three indicators to look out for in reloaded brass:

1) loose primer pockets. Use a hand primer so you can "feel" when seating the primer. you cant feel anything if you seat the primer with your press.

2) slit necks...a sure sign the brass is betting brittle form being re-works, so they need anealing or you will get more split necks

3) brass thinning near the base.....VERY IMPORTANT to check for this or you will end up with case head separation. Its the result of brass flow from repeated reloading, and too much headspace, which is often because of setting your resize die up wrong.

Do a search on case head separation. Plenty on it and how to check for it.

Thanks man! Good info

Gobo

There is lots of Youtube vids on how to anneal brass cases.

Try this method except there is no benefit of dropping the brass into water.

Annealing Brass in HD - YouTube

Give it a go .... you got nothing to loose.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

Gobo

There is lots of Youtube vids on how to anneal brass cases.

Try this method except there is no benefit of dropping the brass into water.

Annealing Brass in HD - YouTube

Give it a go .... you got nothing to loose.

Cheers
Pete

Cheers Peat

Looks easy enough. Will have a crack with some of my shit brass to look at colours etc. be something to do if nothing else

Originally Posted by Gibo

Cheers Peat

Looks easy enough. Will have a crack with some of my shit brass to look at colours etc. be something to do if nothing else

Sorry for the typo Gibo.

Tried to correct it but got the 403 error

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

Sorry for the typo Gibo.

Tried to correct it but got the 403 error

Cheers
Pete

Dont be sorry mate, its far from the worst i get called

Annealing softens the neck of case and saves on cracking when reloading

I assume neck sizing? If on min loads maybe 30 times, 303brit could be 7 or 8 times, it varies a lot. The "life" drops however as you use more powder and full size.

Originally Posted by steven

I assume neck sizing? If on min loads maybe 30 times, 303brit could be 7 or 8 times, it varies a lot. The "life" drops however as you use more powder and full size.

Yip only having to neck size. Guess i'll just keep an eye out for signs of wear and keep going. Was told to chuck em out after 4 but wasnt keen so good that the concensus is about 8-10+

Norma was I would hope still is a very good brand in cases. From memory I got up to 15 reloads before I had to anneal the necks