Pistol Case Question?

[SMSgt]

The only split cases I have run into are old (I picked them up on the base range at Rota, Spain) GI .45 APC. This ammo was old when I picked it up in '69. I think the Marines were just using up old GI ammo. I got a 5 gallon bucket full, still using it. Occasionally I get a full length split after firing. I Don't think it is from too many reloads or pressure. Just old brittle brass.
SWCA 892

I've had a few .45 ACP cases--CBC stamped--that split, but other than that, mostly old GI (.30-06) brass that split the necks.

 

[H Richard]

I find handgun brass lasts so long you can forget about it. As long as you don't "magnumize" it. I had one batch of 1000 .45 acp brass (TZZ) that split frequently. Other than that it was so seldom I don't worry about it. Rifle brass is a different story. and is dependent on how hot loaded but usually in the 6-10 times it will fail.

 

[AJ]

I find handgun brass lasts so long you can forget about it. As long as you don't "magnumize" it. I had one batch of 1000 .45 acp brass (TZZ) that split frequently. Other than that it was so seldom I don't worry about it. Rifle brass is a different story. and is dependent on how hot loaded but usually in the 6-10 times it will fail.

In the mid 1980's there were problems with TZZ headstamped ammo in the 9 MM's. All of it .45 ACP and 9 MM was pulled and destroyed. I was stationed on a Naval Weapons Station at the time. Whenever we drove by the incinerator all you could hear was the popping of the ammo in it.

 

[Model19man]

I have had 45 Colt cases that became too long and had to be trimmed. I occasionally find a cracked case, it seems to me it's more of an anomaly than something caused by excessive use. Some of my 45 Colt cases are above 10 times being reloaded. Some of my 38 Special cases are nearly double that.

 

[cmj8591]

A lot of case longevity depends on what they are being fired in. If the gun has a sloppy chamber, the case will expand more and require more movement in the sizing process to bring it back to spec which accelerates work hardening. I don't do much of anything to my handgun brass other than tumble it. I never trim it even if it's stretched a bit. There's just not enough increase in performance to justify putting the time into trimming. I'm able to do this because I got away from roll crimping and went to either taper crimp or Lee factory crimp. They are not as fussy with case length as roll crimping. Like some of the other posters, I have handgun brass that I've been loading for 45 years. I use it until it can't hold a bullet.

 

[mtgianni]

I have 32 special brass with 25 + loadings that have a tight primer pocket. I have loaded 44 magnums in a blackhawk that did not after 5 loadings.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I like shooting a .357 Magnum, just that is really a "Specialty" type ammo, for either SD use or hunting , which means that I don't get to shoot a lot of it, unless I get a deer tag.

I did the "Magnum" loads when I was wet behind the ears and young
that be "Smok'n" , when I first received my first M19-5.
I got from 4-6 reloads before the brass cases gave out and some at only three !

Case life with "Full loads" depended a lot on the fps and the types of powder used
as well as if you shot JHP or lead bullets, where a heavy crimp helped, "Kill" a copper case.

In my earlier days I shot a lot of "Steel" at 100 yards but found out that
only moderate loads would do the job, that were a lot easier on the revolver and my hands.

Today, I kill paper most of the time at the range unless I let the kids try out
a few rounds of the "Real Deal", just for giggles, just to see the looks on their face.
My D&L, smiled, looked at me and said, "Cool" .

I did tell to hold on tight and don't drop it, though.