I don't know if I read it on this forum or another. Someone made the comment that they reloaded their case a couple times then tossed them out. Personally, I'll reload until the case gives out. Anybody care to comment on how they do it. Just seems to me that you should get as much as you can and make it as cheap as possible.
Number of Reloads per Case
- Thread starter Krell1
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Till they fail or I lose em in the weeds.
Moonman
Member
Load till the case fails or is lost.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
Depends on how hot they're loaded. I have an acquaintance who shoots 9mm (major power factor) and he only loads them twice. I shoot minor PF and reload mine till I can't read the headstamp or they split. (I don't know how many times that is, I run out of fingers and toes 
)
)
BlueOvalBandit
Member
What kind of cases are we talking about here? Rifle or pistol? Then it still depends.
Something low pressure with a taper crimp that doesnt work the case mouth too much like a 45 acp, I've met maybe a handful of split or cracked cases out of 10s of thousands.
Start going into hotter rounds like 357 with heavy roll crimps applied, they'll split faster at the mouth. Move into bottle neck rifle and it takes some work on your part to extend case life beyond 5-10 firings in a lot of cases.
But again it still depends on a lot of factors.
Jungle George
Member
I have been keeping track of some 44 magnum brass just for grins. I'm up to 34 reloads so far and they are still going strong. I loaded these anywhere from mild to wild.
In general I'll shoot them till the case mouth splits. I've found the key to brass longevity is to work the brass as little as possible. Belling the case mouth the least amount to properly accept the bullet is important.
In general I'll shoot them till the case mouth splits. I've found the key to brass longevity is to work the brass as little as possible. Belling the case mouth the least amount to properly accept the bullet is important.
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gregintenn
Member
That's what I do. It's quite rare for me to throw a case away. Bottleneck rifle cases will occasionally wear out after many loadings, but I'm not sure you can wear out a 38 Special case.
38 Specials and 45 ACP
Aticus
Member
Load till they fail.
jepp2
Member
The life of the brass depends on many things. Some failures you don't want to load until they occur (case head separations in rifle brass as an example).
Your practices and loads can determine case life.
silentflyer
Member
I have brass from the 70's that I am still using, though it did sit on the shelf for a number of years when I wasn't shooting and loading hardly at all. Dozens of cycles on them now. After about 5 reload cycles I put them on a cookie sheet and slip them in the oven for a heat/cool down cycle. All my reloading now is 38/357, 41 and 44 magnum. When I loaded 45 long Colt and 22 Hornet years ago about 4 or 5 reloads was about all they would last. Admittedly hot rounds in both, but I was younger and not as wise then.
My shooting buddies would tell you the only thing that's changed is my age.
My shooting buddies would tell you the only thing that's changed is my age.
If you have to buy brass
If you have to buy brass all the time what good is reloading??
If you have to buy brass all the time what good is reloading??
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If you have to buy brass all the time what good is reloading??
good point sir!lke all have mentioned here I load straight wall cases forever and a day
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I agree with all of the above...
I load handgun brass until it fails but I usually lose semi-auto brass well before it fails. Either the necks split or the primer pockets become loose. I have been reloading the same 1200 pieces of Remington .38 Special brass for over 8 years now and none are the worse for wear! I even have some .357 Magnum brass that has at least 20 reloads on them and they are all still fine.
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fredj338
Member
It always depends on the loads you subject your cases to. for target to moderate loads in handguns, you can load them until they work harden crack @ the case mouth, 15-20x is not uncommon. For high pressure full power loads, you may only get 7-8 relaods before seeing failures. Rifles, same thing. Depending on caliber & how hard you push them, 10x reloaded is not unsual.
Target loads are easy on cases, 20 reloads or more ..........
You will not get to much mileage out of maximum loads in most cases,................... like these 38 specials, for example.
You will not get to much mileage out of maximum loads in most cases,................... like these 38 specials, for example.
