Thread: Notched case - should I use it?

Quick question to be on the safe side.

I've heard of guys filing a notch in the rim of their cases to keep track of the number of firings. I thought that was a good idea, so did it with my last batch. I must have got carried away though, gone past the extraction groove and filed a slight notch out of the body on one of them.

Is this going to weaken the case to the point it is dangerous to fire? Or is there enough of an internal radius in the body to make it okay? I'm pretty short of brass in this calibre so would rather keep it if possible, but don't want to risk anything.

Brass is 7mmWSM, once-fired Federal if it makes any difference.

Cheers, Rob

It doesn’t look like much of a notch in the photo. I would still use it

Greetings @ mopheadrob,
I wouldn't use it, just to be safe. The notch results in one point on the case head that is slightly weaker. This likely has little effect at normal pressures but could cause a problem if pressures are high. I don't think filing notches in the rim are such a good idea either for the same reason.
Regards Grandpamac.

For $2-$3 do you want to play that game with your face? I wouldn’t.

I would not worry about it; it is in the web of the case the most solid part of the case you would have to do something seriously stupid
to blow a case up there; case head separation happens a good 6mm or more north of there.

Originally Posted by muzza

maybe buy a Sharpie pen and use that next time instead of a file

I think in future I will stick with my previous method of storing fired brass in jars with the number of firings marked on the outside. Marking the cases with a pen doesn't work for me as I use a sonic cleaner.

Originally Posted by Magnetite

For $2-$3 do you want to play that game with your face? I wouldn’t.

Agreed - it's not the cost, just that I don't have a bullet puller and I'm down to my last case loading up a ladder.

You have asked a quick question to be on the safe side

Wisdom would dictate that any damage to any brass case would see you put that one to one side, crush it and put it in your recycling bin.

50,000 psi 4 inches from your face is no laughing matter

Originally Posted by mopheadrob

Agreed - it's not the cost, just that I don't have a bullet puller and I'm down to my last case loading up a ladder.

Shoot it then discard the case.
Or, grab the projectile with some vice grips and use your press in reverse to pull it.

I have used an automatic centre punch if I needed to mark a case- just above the base. I have used the cases many times without any issues.

@tommygun

That there is your perfect candidate for a modified case. I would break it down and harvest the parts. But imagine you shoot that and it fails... never worth it man.