Brass question

[Guest]

As brass has escalated in price pretty substantially over the past year or two, I am now wondering if my prior practice of retiring anything with pressure signs (ie - ejector marks) and using it only for dummy rounds is still wise, or if there's really no reason not to re-use this brass with known safe loads. I have stuff in various calibers that has case-head marks or such, or was particularly sticky to extract, but doesn't have marks on the case head, and up to now, I've just put them all in a baggie and kept them off to the side for use as dummy cases. I probably have 10-15rds of a couple of calibers, and a few rounds of others. I'd like to go back and re-use some of these, as they are just about all once fired or twice fired, so they have plenty of neck life left. Any thoughts?

 

[rick smith]

If you are sure the marks were caused by pressure, I would not reuse them. Run a feeler on the inside of the case and check for case head seperation. At times, a low pressure load can give the appearance of a high pressure load. Even if the brass were $1.00 per case, that is far less than blowing a rifle or hurting yourself.Rick.

 

[TScottW99]

Any case I find suspect or I ruined while trimming :roll: :lol: goes in a Misc. jug. Also any brass I might find lying around that I do not reload. I figure when I get enough I'll stop by the salvage center and sell it. Depending on where you live, brass can go for $1.00 a pound.

 

[JD338]

I agree with the others, I would toss any questionable brass.
Its cheap insurance.

JD338

 

[w4dsb]

pressure signs yea i would toss but extractor marks??

i get extractor marks alot of times from my semi auto's and they are fine

 

[Guest]

Alright, that's my typo.

Ejector marks.

Sorry.

 

[Ian]

I think it depends on the conditions. I have a .300 Weatherby that provides an ejector mark on every Norma case I use, but there is no sticky bolt lift and the primer pocket stays tight for 4 or 5 rounds. I have checked these cases on the RCBS Case Master and not found any problems.

If I were you, I would probably try seating primers and if the pockets were still tight, then I would use them with lighter loads. On the other hand, if the pockets are loose, or you start getting a ring above the case head, then I would definitely toss the brass.

Ian