How many reloads?

B

besheff.308

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 26, 2009
56
0
31
Madera California
#1
Hello everybody.

I have been reloading for some time now but I have never got much into the expected life of the case. Before now I simply throw brass away after 4 reloads or if I get an unexplainable flyer. (I know it is the case because I reload it and it still jerks off.)

So have I been wasting my money? How many loads can I expect from good brass, lets say Lapua as a baseline.

I ask this because my dad and I are attempting to anneal the brass, and so far its not working to well, we are on our last test with the new solution coming in the mail sometime next weekend.

Connor
 
#2
Re: How many reloads?

The life expectancy of the brass much depends on what cartridge you are loading. If you are talking about a .308, I have some brass with 10+ loadings and it still has some life in it. Years ago, I had about 50 pieces of Lapua that I used exclusively in a .308 that I used for a bench rifle in some informal matches. The accuracy load was very light and the stretching was subsequently slight. If I remember correctly, I got about 15 loadings off that brass.

Hotter loads will reduce loadability because of stretching and loose primer pockets.

David
 
#3
Re: How many reloads?

Depends on how hot you load them, I've heard of guys loading cases 12 or more times. I've loaded the same cases at least 6 times. Just watch for cracks and loose primer pockets. If it's not bad, keep using it.

after a few firings, it will get more brittle, so annealing will help. what was your solution?
 
#4
Re: How many reloads?

i'm loading 20 cal nosler brass and up to my 13th reload but nothing to hot ,only lost one case [neck split]due to defect in case mouth,very pleased with the brass,not cheap! am keeping close eye on it though
 
#5
Re: How many reloads?

I would say to anneal after every 4th-5th load.on any type of brass or case size.but when loading hot you will really need to keep an eye on the necks and base for cracking.and when it comes to annealing just make you a jig to hold the case in to fit a drill.fire up a butane torch and heat the necks up and when they turn red flop them in a bucket of water.but run the drill at a middle speed.no need to run it fast or slow.then I would say you can get around 15 or more loads on the brass.more if your loads are mild.and maybe less if you run them hot.just as one said it really depends on how hard/hot you load the brass.
 
#8
Re: How many reloads?

Like almost everyone else has stated, it depends on how hot the loads are and how you have your sizing die set. I have some Lapua PPC brass with 30+ loading cycles. 25-06 Remington brass with 12 to 15 cycles. 308 with both Winchester and Lapua brass both with 10+ load cycles. 300 WinMag Hornady brass with 6 load cycles. NONE of my loads are half way loads. Also none of my loads are blowing the primers out hot loads. They are good mid-range pressurewise accurate in my rifles.

Most of the PPC brass has been annealed at least once. Some of the 308 brass has been annealed. None of the others have been annealed. But next spring I do plan on getting a Ken Light annealing tool of my own.
 
#9
Re: How many reloads?

I have some Rem, Win and Hornady (believe it's Win) on it's 15th loading. I size very little, only bump the shoulder to keep it 1 to 2 thou below my measurement when it's to long. So far no split necks are groove in the head. Some of the brass pieces primer pockets are a little loose but still hold the primer just fine. Pretty soon I'll be tossing these. My loads are pretty mild, 43.9 Varget with 168 Nosler. Most of my shooting is at 100yds so I don't push them too hard.
 
#10
Re: How many reloads?

Thanks everybody for the information, right now I am mainly concerned with my 22-250, my other calibers are known to have amazing barrel life and case life + I load them down so w/e.

My 22-250 shoots 37.7 grains H380 on top of a Nosler Custom 52g bullet and it flattens the primers pretty well but nothing major.

I ask because my cousin who has a 6000 dollar custom 300 Win Mag (not sure why he got that caliber) is having issues believing I can shoot about 1.6" at 400 yards. So I want to make sure my brass is up to par before he comes over =D!

Once again Thank you for the information!
 
#11
Re: How many reloads?

Tell him to be sure to check INSIDE the cases for splits or thinning spots. Either a dental pick or a long bent paperclip will work. If he has the dies set wrong he can weaken the web near the case head pretty quick.
 
#13
Re: How many reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Elxx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't think I saw anyone say this but...

Full-length sizing will wear the brass out quicker (supposedly). </div></div>

What we've been saying is that "improperly" set FL dies can wear out cases fast. If the shoulders are not set back too far the brass will last many firings using FL dies.
 
#14
Re: How many reloads?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vinconco</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
What we've been saying is that "improperly" set FL dies can wear out cases fast. If the shoulders are not set back too far the brass will last many firings using FL dies. </div></div>

Ah. Makes sense =) Thanks for clarifying
 
#15
Re: How many reloads?

I full length size all of my brass. I'm on my 5th load of 43 grains of Varget and 175 SMK out of 500 pieces of Federal brass and I've thrown away 7 so far. I'm pretty sure that number would have been less using Winchester, Lapua or LC brass.

Just my $.02
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RTTY
Over standard at .200" line, can make remedy?
Replies
39
Views
409
Evintos
E
Harronek
6mm ARC Hornady Brass
Replies
2
Views
131
Ledzep
Ledzep
D0ntTr3@d0nM3
6.5 CM Brass - Alpha vs Starline
Replies
16
Views
411
spife7980
spife7980
Rommel Garcia
Reloading Tikka T3x 308 - Fires when chambered after bolt lock
Replies
11
Views
302
RandyM72
R
R
How Many Reloads for Peterson 6.5 CM Brass?
Replies
7
Views
648
Dstoenner
D
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts