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Reloading Question

2K views 12 replies 12 participants last post by  Mr Al 
#1 ·
On average, how many times can you I've reloaded a brass casing? I've reloaded AA shotgun shells for some time now and obviously with shotgun shells you typically can't get more than 5 or 6 reloads out of a hull. Brass is obviously a bit different than a plastic shotgun shell hull, but I would assume there is still some type of limit.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Brass life is an issue with many variables. Some brass is thicker than others. The load ( hot or mild) plays a big roll. Chamber/ cylinder fit also is a factor. I believe that the biggest contributor to split cases is the crimp on the bullet. Heavy crimps "work" the brass and lead to splits after as few as 2-3 reloads. Straight cases for me average from 4- 10 reloads with average loads. bottle neck cases ( 44-40), 357 Sig, are less 3-6. Plated cases are also more likely to split faster.
RG

Do a search on brass life and reloads. Lots of info available
 
#3 ·
This is a very difficult question. What is an average for me, may not necessarily work out as an average for you, or anyone else here. It all depends on how hot we load a particular caliber. Since you didn’t state a caliber and/or gun, it is impossible to give any idea.

Again, on average, reloading for a revolver will generally have a higher average than an autoloader. This is because autoloaders are much more restricted in the loads they can handle and still function. Also, many autoloaders have varying degrees of unsupported chambers which will also limit the number of reloads one can expect from the brass.

Finally, based on years of reloading shotgun, I think you can get at least two, and possibly three times the reloads by using Remington STS hulls over the AA. The STS hull is much better made. However, whatever the hull/brass, a good visual inspection is always required.

Chris
 
#4 ·
That depends on several different things, I don't load anything hot or max. When I work up a load I will start a little above the starting load and work up. When I find that load that is grouping like I want I stop. There is a big difference in manfacture and when working up a load I start with Winchester. Seems that I get better life out of Winchester brass, but do have some rifles that I'm using Remington brass. I check my brass after firing, getting back to your question I'm not really sure but I would guess 4,5,maybe 6 firings maybe more. Interesting question I've not thought to much about, and I'v been loading a long time.
Joe
 
#7 ·
I've got some Starline .357 mag brass thats been loaded 5 or 6 times with mild 158 grain cast lead loads and it still looks like new. I use Hodgdon Titegroup for these loads. All the primer pockets are as tight as new and I'll be shocked if I don't get over 10 loadings on them. I don't use a real heavy crimp.
 
#9 ·
ajmorell said:
I've reloaded AA shotgun shells for some time now and obviously with shotgun shells you typically can't get more than 5 or 6 reloads out of a hull.
HUH?!

I have a Pones-Warren and I get twelve to fifteen reloads from AAs.

For Brass, look at it (inspect closely) as you wipe it down. Any sign of a crack, toss it.

The number of reloads will be inversely proportional to how hot the load is - the hotter the load, the fewer reloads.
 
#10 ·
I haven't started loading for pistol yet but I have been loading for rifle. Like the other said there are a number of variables. Inspect each case after cleaning and toss anything that even looks like it may begin to crack. You will begin to see a bright ring just above the base of the case that will tell you that head seperation is not far away. Again, toss anything that looks ugly, brass isn't that expensive.

Good Luck and be safe.
 
#11 ·
I have some 45ACP brass that has had 20 loadings. They are light (3.5 grains of Clays, 200 grain SWC) and I shoot them in revolvers. I load them until they split.

I've had similar experience with light (3.2 grains of Clays, 158 grain SWC) 38 spl loads. Again, load them until they split.
 
#12 ·
The brass cartridge acts like a gasket, stretching to seal gasses from the cylinder wall. Chambers that are tighter will promote brass life as less stretching and working of the brass takes place. The question, however, refered to "normal" useage.

With the 45 Colt, Remington brass and standard loads, I'll get 12 to 15 reloads. To get this service life from the brass, I will anneal it every fifth firing. In a 38 Spl, tight chambered M52 S&W, the only reason for discarding a case is due to rim damage from the extractor; in fact, I have some brass that originally was purchased with the gun twenty some years ago and has been reloaded countless times. Hot loaded (within max manual loads) 45 Colt and 44 Magnum doesn't seem to reduce brass life significantly with loose primer pockets being the first indicator of replacement.
 
#13 ·
Yeah, I used to try and keep track, I've got an old Mauser 7X57. I think the neck area of the chamber is oversized. I see more of those crack than anything else. My 38 and 357 mag brass is so mixed up I couldn't tell you how many times they've been loaded. Just look em over before you load, get rid of the bad ones and don't worry about it. Even if you only get 2 loads from a case it still cheaper than store bought.
 
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