How Many Reloads?

[Jeff82]

Just curious, I'm amazed at the life I'm getting from my 0.357 Starline brass. I'm wondering how many reloads people expect from new brass?

[williamwaco]

Just curious, I'm amazed at the life I'm getting from my 0.357 Starline brass. I'm wondering how many reloads people expect from new brass?

If you take care of it, it should last almost forever.

Be very careful about belling ( flaring ) and crimping.

I am still using cases I bought used in 1965.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I shoot A LOT of 38 spl and 45 ACP. I expect a minimum of 20 reloads, but realistically will probably get 30. For higher pressure stuff like 9mm, I generally get 10.

[bobthenailer]

First i shoot more than the average shooter, at present around 500 rounds of centerfire handgun + 500 RF rounds per mounth and have been doing this or more for over 45 years , Im still using various caliber brass that i been using for over 40 years , couldent really estmate how many times its been reloaded but well over 10 times , perhaps over 20 ? I just keep useing it until i get case splits and through it in the scrap brass can for recycling.

[kweidner]

straight wall stuff lasts forever if you don't flare too much. I can;t tell you the last time I bought 357, 44, 45ACP or 45 colt brass. I just recently bought 41 because it's new to me. Only splitting I have experienced from .357 was nickel I picked up at the range.

[tenx]

with my 45 acp pratice brass, i have reloaded some so many times the ejector has oblierated the headstamp. some 38 nickel cases are almost all brass. after you tumble your brass, cup some loosely in your hand and rattle them around. ones that are split have a different sound. to demonstrate get some good brass and listen to it and toss in a split case and shake/listen again. easy way to check if you still have any hearing left.

[3006guns]

I'm still using .38 special cases from the early 70's. Get the occasional split mouth and it goes into the recycle/scrapyard box. This has to be the only hobby with a dividend return.......after a fashion.

The only thing I've ever noticed is that nickled brass definately seems harder or brittle. It splits or has case mouth problems far easier and quicker than ordinary brass. As a result I tend to ignore nickle empties at the range and grab all the ordinary brass I can.

[Jim]

I've got .45-70 cases I've been using since 2002. I've got .303 Brit cases I've been using since around '04 or '05.

[hiram1]

For me i load my 45acp 12 times then load them a little hotter and and store them.Or sell the brass.My 223 i shoot 10 times and sell the brass to the scrapers.Now keep in mind that the scraper i sell to he has a lot of brass once fired and i trade him brass .It cost me 10cents a pound to trade. so im a happy camper

[jcwit]

I've got .223 cases that have now been reloaded over 80 times, still going strong, they've needed to be bumped a few times tho.

[pastor]

I have many 45acp that have been loaded 25-30+ times, very rare to have one split

[220swiftfn]

The only problem I've run into with straight wall is the chamber on the .45 Colt Rossi is huge, after a while, the cases egg. With tighter chambers, just keep an eye on the mouth.



Dan

[shooterg]

I just checked headstamps on some .45ACP reloads, all 1954 to 1966 GI cases reloaded beaucoup times !

[captaint]

While we're on the subject of brass, does anyone know if dedicated wadcutter brass is still produced like it once was ?? Apologies for the change in direction.
And back to the original subject - I think if we don't assemble a lot of hotter loads, our brass will last longer, too. I start tossing cases when the primer pockets start to get too loose. I like them tight. enjoy Mike