Ejector damage to case...safe to reload?

[Roguestryker]

The image below shows the typical damage to the case that is done by my Mini-14. I have been told by an "old range hand" that they are both safe to reload. I am fairly comfortable with the one on the left, but not the one on the right.

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[No1]

load it, shoot it. It's a small ding and when you run it through the sizer will iron it out some.

 

[Rem7targetactical]

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

Sean[/QUOTE]

Sell the mini and get a bolt gun, no more worries! (my opinion) =)

 

[milo 2.0]

There is difference between a dent and a creased case, I'd probably pitch the one on the right, though it's not in my hand. Anytime brass is creased , throw it.

I kinda agree with the post below, shit can that mini!

 

[Apothus]

Not only will your brass be happier if you shitcan that mini, but so will the people 20 feet down the firing line when brass stops raining down on them from it. I would toss the case on the right. Again, if you're concerned about the quality of your components, you'd get rid of the sub par gun that's harming the valuable components

 

[Rem7targetactical]

Not only will your brass be happier if you shitcan that mini, but so will the people 20 feet down the firing line when brass stops raining down on them from it. I would toss the case on the right. Again, if you're concerned about the quality of your components, you'd get rid of the sub par gun that's harming the valuable components

Funny you said that, got hit in the forehead today by one at the range.

 

[Roguestryker]

I agree that I need to get rid of the mini.

Thanks for the advice on the brass. I will continue to inspect them for creases and discard as necessary.

Sean

 

[AKONA]

those are fine. They will iron out and will hardly be able to identify where they got dinged. Enjoy many reloads.
A tiny piece of adhesive velcro or a drop of epoxy will do wonders in those cutting edges where the brass hits to flip over.

 

[damoncali]

It is fine to reload. However, with a mini 14 there is no point in shooting anything but the cheapest rotgut ammo you can find, which might be cheaper than reloading.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

The mini is not tack driver; and attempting to make one into such is cost-prohibitive. Your cases should work OK even if the ding doesn't iron out in the resizer die, they will pop back out when they are fired. Brass is soft enough that the amount of energy needed to pop it out is not going to affect cartridge performance.

Although the Mini ain't the pick of the crop, it is still a pretty reliable, workmanlike semi for applications like a truck gun or an 'intruder chaser'. Get a set of 30mm Ruger rings, mount up a cheap dot scope with a 30mm tube, and make the best of it. Someday, maybe soon, semi's could become unobtanium, and even a Mini, under such circumstances, could become a boon; remember, hairsplitter or not, they will still go bang, bang, bang on demand.

If you want to save money on ammo, and still have the option of reloading, take a closer look at TulAmmo 55gr FMJ steel case. Some of it is Boxer primed, read the box to separate Berdan from Boxer, and it's most definitely reloadable. You can even pull down the original loading to do load development with the provided components and find something more accurate. The only thing I do different is to inside chamfer the case moths to eliminate bullet shaving during seating. I am up to five reloadings in my Stag Model 6 Super Varminter. Accuracy is indistinguishable from brass cases.

I pulled mine down and sequestered the bullets and powder for a final reloading of the cases. Meanwhile, I use the cases for 69gr and 75gr Match reloads in m Stag and MVP with no obvious penalty.

I even tried the original 55gr FMJ exposed lead bullets loaded backward as 'trashcan hollow points'; but accuracy, even in a decent shooter, was crap. Up close, maybe with intruders inside your house, who cares about that? If you doubt me, you can try one on a water-filled gallon milk jug. Awesome, Dude! The resulting round is pretty short, but they still feed OK in my Stag. YMMV

Unless you can produce your ammo for well under $.25-$.30 a round, this may turn out to be the better way to go.

Greg

 

[lightman]

They are plenty safe to reload and shoot again. Thats nothing compared to what my H&K does to brass! Lightman

 

[bcrich]

The mini 14 reminds me of the old "boat saying" the happiest days were the first day when I bought it & the day I got rid of it! I shit canned mine. As for the brass I would reload it, it looks like my AK brass... No problems yet on its 4th load (probably its last)

 

[280nosler]

Both are fine to reload. The one on the right will have slightly less case volume, so in theory it my slightly more pressure, but shooting it from a mini 14, you'd never know the difference.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

I have never understood the allure of a Mini 14?

It has a military appearance, especially if you might have trained with an M1 or even a M1 carbine. But, to actually fire one, the way the action cycles is a total distraction. And, a Mini 30 is almost as bad. I have never owned one and never will, might even balk if someone gave it to me for free? It's a club that makes a 30/30 look like a tack driver. And, way overpriced. Other than that, a neat little gun.

However, you bought the wrong gun if you intend to reload for it. Policing up brass on a concrete pad is technically possible but out in the desert, it's a 50/50 proposition. And, there goes your economy. No accounting for taste? BB

edit: PS those dings wouldn't bother me