Without annealing, is there a Max number of times one can one reload the cases and you start over with new cases or do you reload till you get split necks?
Rescently I ran such an experiment.
I started with a fresh set of 50 count Win Brass 308.
I used a Neck Only sizing strategy most of the time, and would bump the shoulders back 0.002 when they got too long.
I measure the shoulder position before each reload cycle.
I use Redding sleaved dies, a 332 and 338 bushing (338 first).
Procedure:
decap all fired brass
toss in tumbler over night
measure shoulder position
1) if OK toss in reload pile
2) if not toss in push back pile
If there were not enough cases in the reload pile
setup body die
lube
push shoulder back
measure shoulder position
if not OK go back to lube and do it again.
toss in reload pile
Repeat until enough cases are present in reload pile.
Insert primer with Redding universal priming tool over the whole set of caes
throw powder
trickle up to 47.8 gr Varget
drop tube into case
mount bullet
seat to 3.000 OAL
When all the cases are done
dial Reding micrometer so that the ogive is 0.015 from lands
make a second pass on seating bullets
Results:
As the brass wore out I would get fewer and fewer reloads between bocy die episodes
{first 6 reloads (2 round), then 5 (2 rounds), then 4 (2 rounds) then 3, then I started to get ICHS and body cracks}
I got 35 reload cycles from the 50 count set of brass
running a stiff 47.8 gr Varget load and 155 scenars
I lost 0 primer pockets
I lost 0 necks
I lost 2 cases to ICHS
I lost 2 cases to body cracks
No annealing was done,
the obturated neck diameters ran 0.3445.
Notice the neck only sizing was done in 2 steps 0.3445 -> 0.338 -> 0.332 with TiN bushings
This set of brass has been retired, but not throw away.
