times brass is loaded

[C.Smith]

I'm currently on the fourth loading of my nosler brass. Is that too many times for hunting rounds? Or should I not worry about it?

Corey

 

[Guest]

As long as you inspect it for suitability, it's fine. I've loaded some brass many, many times, while other brass has been loaded a few times and lost it's suitability. Heck, I've got .38Spl cases that I load with low-velocity wadcutters for plinking, and I generally load them until I can no longer read the headstamp!

 

[C.Smith]

Low power stuff I'm not worried about, just full power 3006 loads. Thanks for the imput, I appreciate it.

Corey

 

[DrMike]

Corey,

It is not too much, but for hunting I do prefer to use brass that has been fired no more than once. It is arbitrary, but I don't want to take a chance on a ruined hunt. There is a big difference between a disappointment at the bench and one in the field when aiming at a great head of game. I use the brass that has been fired more than once for load development and plinking. Consequently, for almost all my cartridges I get at least ten loadings before I discard the brass. Don't load them hot and don't overwork the brass and it lasts a surprisingly long time.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I'm on the 19th+ loading of my Rem STW brass. This brass has about reached the end of it's useful life. It's time to start marking the one's with week primer pockets, and discarding them after the next loading. I do a partial full length size, and have never had to trim this brass after the initial squaring of the brass, 19 loadings ago. As long as you don't full length size everytime, and shoot loads withing SAAMI pressures, it can last a long time.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

July, 07 I think it was

At thunder valley range in thunder valley Oh, Tom Sarver fired a 5X/50 at 1000 yards that measured 1.403", he was shooting a 300 Hulk using 338 Lapua mag brass that was on its 58th firing.

My hunting loads for my 7mm Allen Mag are on they're 5th firing, my long shot last year took a doe at 1350 yards.
RR

 

[JD338]

Its going to depend on the quality of the brass, chamber fit the pressures the case sees.
I have loaded W-W 30-06 brass 12+ times for competition shooting but my 338 RUM loads are usually 6-8 loadings. For hunting loads, I use brass that has been fire formed to the chamber, another words, once fired brass.

JD338

 

[russ808]

I agree with JD. Once fired for the hunt, except for goats and pigs, they get the use until you lose them brass.

 

[Divernhunter]

I take a different road for big game hunting ammo. I use new brass. Heck I am only going to use one piece(usually) so I prefer new. I will load 50 and take that with me. Not worth the chance for me.
Varmit and practice loads can have many reloads.
That works for me.

 

[old #7]

I am on my tenth loading of Nosler 280ai brass. I have trimmed once.
I neck size with a Redding bushing style die.
Just keep an eye on your brass. It's easy to spot potential problems when you keep your brass clean and shinny. I tumble my brass on every loading.

 

[OldMan]

I always run a home-made stretch checker in my cases before every loading. This warns you of impending case separation which could ruin your day in a hunt or ruin your chamber in target practice. With a little practice you can tell immediately when to chuck your brass. To learn what what I was feeling with the checker in the beginning I cut a section from the web to make a window to see what I was feeling. This was on suspect brass. to make this device I use a piece of 1/8 " acetalyne welding rod and bend a real short 90 in the end going in the case ans file a sharp point on it. At the handle end I'll make another bend with a couple inches sticking out, this gives some leverage and feel. Very last is to cut the andle end off with a pair of side cutters, this leaves a sharp edge I use as a primer pocket cleaner. You might be surprised at how soon some cases start to separate and others last for quite a while.

 

[C.Smith]

Wow, thanks for all the great advise guys.

Corey

 

[DrMike]

I particularly watch in brass that has been sized multiple times for a bright ring in the web area, and check pieces with a paper clip bent to check for incipient separation in the web. Of course, I check for signs of cracks in the neck.