10mm Auto brass durability?

[03gringo]

I am going to buy some 10mm ammo soon for my S&W 1076 and M&P 2.0 pistols. I have the supplies to later reload the once fired brass, including primers.

What brand is the longest lasting with full power 10mm loads? I have read magazine articles about Starline being the best. Does any ammo manufacturer use Starline brass to load their new ammo?

Thanks
Kenny
S&WCA #3217

 

[Erocksmash]

Starline has lasted the longest for me 5 reloads of full juts 180gr and 200gr stuffs, Underwood range pick up has cracked after 1 reload... haven't had any problems with others.

 

[racoonbeast]

I am on my third reload of a huge bunch of assorted brass of probably every head stamp out there. No issues with any yet except Aguila. Many of them collapsed on the first reload attempt. Too thin.

I would like to add that if you are loading for a Glock, they are known to leave what is called "the Glock Smile", or a noticeable bulge on the end of the fired cases. This is due to the very unsupported chamber and the brass expanding it air space. Glock users seem to take it in stride, but I can't help but think that it does not do much for the overall life of the case.

 

[Geno44]

I have the FBI 10 and haven't shot it much so I'm sure no expert on your question. Over the years there has been a lot of discussion about loads for the 10mm. Part of the answer to your question would depend on how you are defining "full power load". I still have a few boxes of the old Norma load from the 1980's. I think it was said that it was truly a "full power load." My guess would be that most of the current reloading manuals would be rather conservative since that seems to be what happened to all the other loads.

 

[growr]

You will lose more than you could ever wear out of any manufacturer!

Randy

 

[M29since14]

I have had a bunch of Hornady brass for a long time. I've never been one to push handloads past the published maximums. The Hornady brass has held up well and I'm still using it. I don't know if they are supplying 10mm brass these days. In any case, I wouldn't hesitate to order Starline brass.

 

[stansdds]

Starline is great brass, if you can get it. Case life is going to depend upon your reloads and technique. Widely belled case mouths will work harden and crack sooner than those that are flared just enough to seat a bullet. Full power, high pressure reloads will also work harden the brass faster than reduced power, lower pressure reloads. Finally, nickel plated brass tends to suffer case mouth cracks sooner than plain brass, so take that into consideration when purchasing brass.

 

[gwpercle]

If you reload them hot enough ... the pressure will expand the primer pockets ... after 3 reloadings of some +P screamers ... on the 4 th reload the new primers would fall out of the primer pockets ... I had to retire those and dropped that +P Load ... That brass wasn't Star-Line it was mixed range brass .
Stay with standard pressure loads ... in the mid-range of the loading table ... the brass will last much longer .
You should get at least 10 and if not too hot 25 reloadings with decent brass .
Gary

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Shouldn't have any unusual longevity issues with Starline brass. It's what I buy new.

I'll second the suggestion of shying away from nickel plated cases, if you can.

But as far a case strength (web & head area), if they'll be shot in firearms with less than full chamber support, I'd go with S&B brass if you can.

I've seen other people suggest different brands but this is what I found. I'll explain.

I bought an 8" 10AUTO CMMG Banshee Mk.10 last Oct. With moderate handloads it had no issues but when shooting the same full power handloads, that I routinely use in my S&W 3rd Gens without issues, it would bulge the Starline brass because so much of the case in unsupported in this AR style bolt design. (It's the AR's design, not the particularly the brass or the case design's fault.)

Long story short, after buying a mixed assortment of once fired 10AUTO brass I found that the S&B brass was the brand most resistant to this bulging & I was tickled when one my range acquaintances gave me a couple hundred of his fired S&B brass one day to use for full loads in it.

And Yes, I've lost tons more 10AUTO brass than I've wore out.

.



.

 

[BillBro]

Hands down Sig brass will last and last and last. Yes, starline is fine brass but Sig has it beat easily. Sig, S&B and starline, in that order. This has been my own personal experience. It may however depend on the chamber.