EDITED:
I guess I wasn't clear on my meaning.
I use these all the time for Black Powder loads with no issues. I would load smokeless in them but never needed too.
My purpose for the topic was for High Velocity loads. On the boxes of these HV loads, it said not to reload them. I always wondered why other than maybe the balloonhead pocket being too weak for the 22,000psi loads.
I was actually waiting for someone to come along and say they used such cases for the 44 Magnum. However, I think sold head cases came out late 1940's early 1950's and the 44 Mag came out in 55"?
On the side label of the early Winchester 44-40 HV loads (and maybe others), you may have notice this warning to never reload these cases. I always assumed the reason was due to the weak semi-balloonhead cases that were still being used at that time. I have shot many of these using only black powder loads, never with an issue....until now!
I finally found/encountered a blown semi-balloonhead primer pocket. For this exact reason, I always do a good inspection before using...again, only with black powder for obvious reasons.
ALTHOUGH these are Western cases, the same logic applies....
Note the primer pocket sinks in on the right side, preventing from being able to clean the primer pocket. This was a dead giveaway!!! Other photos shows the crack at the bottom of the pocket.
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