When do you pitch?

[berkmberk1]

When do you pitch your brass?

After so many reloads?

When a batch shows signs of distress?

Myself, I've gone five reloads on 30.06 and more on .38/.357 target loaded. In 4500 + reloads (38 family, 9, 30.06) I've only seen one or two split cases, a few split mouths. Most of mine (cept the 9mm) is or was pretty much seperated by lot. I've quit 38/357 but still have a lot.

Funny how a .357 looks so BIG until you load a .45 Colt!

[tommag]

For bottleneck cases, when the primer pockets get loose or when they show signs of head-separation. A piece of stiff wire bent into a ninety degree angle with the short end sharpened will let you feel for seperation. Use the wire to feel for a circular groove (thinning) about a 1/4" or so from the bottom of the brass (inside). The wire will snag slightly when it finds the groove.

[Buckshot]

...............Ditto what tommag said. I have some 20 rnd batches of LC45 brass with over 30 firings. All cast lead loads, natch!

...................Buckshot