Reloading factory ammo?

[trsmith1818]

Hello All

I haven't had enough free time lately to work up loads like I used to, darn kids ;-). Has anyone just taken cheap factory ammo, like remington coreloks or etc..., that shoot safely in my rifle and pull the bullets and then reuse the case, powder charge, primer and then top it with a new Nosler AB or BT?

In my eyes this should be safe since the powder charge is within spec, acknowledging that there may be some pressure difference due to bullet construction.

Gimme your thoughts or experiences

 

[Rol_P]

I would definitely NOT DO THAT.... More experienced and learned members here will expound on this given a little time. Again.. Do Not Do That.... Be safe and just shoot the factory as it comes outta the box or follow reputable manuals and good loading practice as time permits..
Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas.

 

[Kodiak]

I have NO "experiences" doing as the OP has mentioned. Follow safe reloading practices.

 

[Anonymous]

You really don't want to do that.

Lots of reasons- but first is that you have no idea what powder or charge is in the case and bearing surface differences can dramatically effect pressures. It would be a completely unknown cartridge.

You can easily buy a box of factory ammo with your bullet of choice installed in about any cartridge you'd want- if you're pressed hard for time you can also kill about anything on this planet with a CoreLokt as-is. There's better bullets, but "good enough" can get you a long way.

Lots of potential risks, Zero rewards- I'd avoid it.

 

[DrMike]

Pressure curves can vary significantly due to several parameters. You can quickly be into dangerous territory. Reusing the brass--no problem. Trying to use the powder--you won't be able to reproduce that particular powder in all likelihood since they are likely using non-canister powders. You're best off working up a load safely.

 

[trsmith1818]

Pressure curves can vary significantly due to several parameters. You can quickly be into dangerous territory. Reusing the brass--no problem. Trying to use the powder--you won't be able to reproduce that particular powder in all likelihood since they are likely using non-canister powders. You're best off working up a load safely.

DrMike

I would be reusing their powder than falls out when the bullet is pulled

 

[Dwh7271]

Bearing surface of the bullets will be different. Also how that particular bullet engraves on the lands would be different.
Without pressure equipment there would be no way to measure how close to max the factory started thus no way to effectively quantify the difference.
Running QuickLoad shows a sometimes significant difference between bullets of the same weight and similar constructions.
Substitution of KNOWN components is something only best done by experienced reloaders and then only at reduced charges with a slow work up.
Not hammering you here and don't mean to lecture, but as a wise member here would say; you're tugging on the dragons tail here.
I wouldn't do it.

 

[truck driver]

Pressure curves can vary significantly due to several parameters. You can quickly be into dangerous territory. Reusing the brass--no problem. Trying to use the powder--you won't be able to reproduce that particular powder in all likelihood since they are likely using non-canister powders. You're best off working up a load safely.

DrMike

I would be reusing their powder than falls out when the bullet is pulled

DrMike and others here have tried to tell you that you will blow the rifle up and maybe cause serious injury to yourself by reusing the powder charge and seating a different style or brand of bullet. Hornady makes 2 different style .358 200gr bullets that you can't interchange with the same powder and powder charge because you get a pressure spike that is dangerous.
If you must see for yourself that this is unsafe and really want to blow your rifle up then it is your choice, you have been warned and don't blame us when it happens. We are trying to help you not get you hurt.

 

[trsmith1818]

Pressure curves can vary significantly due to several parameters. You can quickly be into dangerous territory. Reusing the brass--no problem. Trying to use the powder--you won't be able to reproduce that particular powder in all likelihood since they are likely using non-canister powders. You're best off working up a load safely.

DrMike

I would be reusing their powder than falls out when the bullet is pulled

DrMike and others here have tried to tell you that you will blow the rifle up and maybe cause serious injury to yourself by reusing the powder charge and seating a different style or brand of bullet. Hornady makes 2 different style .358 200gr bullets that you can't interchange with the same powder and powder charge because you get a pressure spike that is dangerous.
If you must see for yourself that this is unsafe and really want to blow your rifle up then it is your choice, you have been warned and don't blame us when it happens. We are trying to help you not get you hurt.

Wow...thanks (sarcasm)! Not what I was getting at, just clarifying to make sure we were talking apples to apples.

 

[DrMike]

I understood you to mean you would reuse their powder. One problem is that burn rates vary with the bullets used. Perhaps a greater problem is that you wouldn't be able to purchase more of the powder after using because it is non-canister powder. Thus, it would be a one-shot situation. As mentioned, the potential for serious pressure spikes due to varied bearing surfaces is very real (don't ask me how I know). Small differences can result in significant pressure spikes. Overall, it seems reasonable, but the project is fraught with some serious potential problems.

 

[JD338]

Don't do it. You do not know what the powder is and this will lead you down a dangerous path.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

In the "old days" we used to call this "Mexican Match" ammo.

We'd get military surplus 7.62x51 ammo, the 173 grain stuff. Pull the bullet, replace it with a 168 gr Sierra Matchking and go shoot great scores.

It was common practice. Nobody had a problem with it. But remember, we were losing 5 grains of bullet weight.

I don't think there's any need to do that anymore. Haven't heard of anyone doing it in 15+ years, maybe 20 or more...

BTW - it's a little tough - pulling bullets from mil-spec ammo! Have to break the asphalt seal first, then pull.

Guy

 

[BretN]

Try buying some new primed brass and load that. I bought some HSM 308 brass this summer, 50 count for $26 at Cabela's. I really liked it. Made loading much faster. The only problem I ran into was that I was getting great groups with it, but HSM wouldn't or couldn't tell me which primers they used. So I couldn't exactly replicate the load when I was done loading those 50. Still, it made loading sessions short and sweet.

 

[trsmith1818]

Thanks for everyones replies, seems like there could be some potential issues so ill just wait until I have a bit more time....thats why i asked

Thanks as always for your guys input