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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Brass life expectantcy?
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<blockquote data-quote="azsugarbear" data-source="post: 381700" data-attributes="member: 4809"><p>There are many factors that come into play. High pressure or "hotter" loads (say a 180 gr. 30-06 bullet @ 2900 fps) will wear out brass faster than "normal" loads (say a 180 gr. 30-06 bullet @ 2700 fps). Magnum loads (say a 200 gr. bullet out of a 300 RUM @ 3100 fps) will typically wear cases out quicker than non-magnum loads (say a 200 gr. bullet out of a 30-06 @ 2600 fps). The shape and design of the case itself can have some bearing on case life. It is generally accepted that the steeper the angle of the shoulder (ackley), the less brass needs to be "worked" or resized, which helps to extend case life. The manufacturer or brand of brass can also have a big impact on case life. Lapua makes excellent brass that is well known for having long case life. Many claim to get more reloading out of Lapua 308 brass than Winchester 308 brass.</p><p></p><p>There are many areas where case fatigue will typically begin to show. For me, these are the three most common: (1) Loose primer pockets. This is usually the result high pressure loadings, but they can also loosen over time with normal use. They are easy to spot, as a new primer will not seat but rather rattle around. An expended cartridge with a loose pocket will also show black around the spent primer and on the head. (2) Fatigue is the neck area. This usually is the result of brass being "overworked" in resizing, but can also happen from simply wearing out. These usually manifest themselves as split necks and are also easy to spot. Anealing will tend to give you longer neck case life. Finally, (3) there is case head separation. I believe this is most commonly found in the higher pressure rounds. It is not quite as easy to spot as the other two, because it is internal (occurs inside the case). It manifests itself with a bright ring around the outside of the case, just ahead of the case head. However, just because your brass has such a ring does not automatically mean you have case head separation. You need to check the inside of your brass to confirm. This can easily be done by straightening a paper clip and then bending the end at a right angle - kinda like a small "L" on the end. Insert this end into the bottom of the case around the head and then pull it up against the wall towards the mouth of the case. If you have the beginnings of case head separation, the bend in the end of the clip will enable you to "feel" the separation as a valley, or ridge. or thinning of the case wall. If you do, then toss the case.</p><p></p><p>In my 30-06, I was usually able to get 8-10 reloadings out of my brass. With my 277 AM (Lapua brass) I load 92 gr. of powder behind a 195 gr. pill - and I still am able to get 7-9 reloadings out of that brass before I retire it. Everybody's experience will vary. Just keep an eye on it. "Eeeking" another loading or two out of some tired brass simply is not worth the compromised safety that will hang in the balance.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="azsugarbear, post: 381700, member: 4809"] There are many factors that come into play. High pressure or "hotter" loads (say a 180 gr. 30-06 bullet @ 2900 fps) will wear out brass faster than "normal" loads (say a 180 gr. 30-06 bullet @ 2700 fps). Magnum loads (say a 200 gr. bullet out of a 300 RUM @ 3100 fps) will typically wear cases out quicker than non-magnum loads (say a 200 gr. bullet out of a 30-06 @ 2600 fps). The shape and design of the case itself can have some bearing on case life. It is generally accepted that the steeper the angle of the shoulder (ackley), the less brass needs to be "worked" or resized, which helps to extend case life. The manufacturer or brand of brass can also have a big impact on case life. Lapua makes excellent brass that is well known for having long case life. Many claim to get more reloading out of Lapua 308 brass than Winchester 308 brass. There are many areas where case fatigue will typically begin to show. For me, these are the three most common: (1) Loose primer pockets. This is usually the result high pressure loadings, but they can also loosen over time with normal use. They are easy to spot, as a new primer will not seat but rather rattle around. An expended cartridge with a loose pocket will also show black around the spent primer and on the head. (2) Fatigue is the neck area. This usually is the result of brass being "overworked" in resizing, but can also happen from simply wearing out. These usually manifest themselves as split necks and are also easy to spot. Anealing will tend to give you longer neck case life. Finally, (3) there is case head separation. I believe this is most commonly found in the higher pressure rounds. It is not quite as easy to spot as the other two, because it is internal (occurs inside the case). It manifests itself with a bright ring around the outside of the case, just ahead of the case head. However, just because your brass has such a ring does not automatically mean you have case head separation. You need to check the inside of your brass to confirm. This can easily be done by straightening a paper clip and then bending the end at a right angle - kinda like a small "L" on the end. Insert this end into the bottom of the case around the head and then pull it up against the wall towards the mouth of the case. If you have the beginnings of case head separation, the bend in the end of the clip will enable you to "feel" the separation as a valley, or ridge. or thinning of the case wall. If you do, then toss the case. In my 30-06, I was usually able to get 8-10 reloadings out of my brass. With my 277 AM (Lapua brass) I load 92 gr. of powder behind a 195 gr. pill - and I still am able to get 7-9 reloadings out of that brass before I retire it. Everybody's experience will vary. Just keep an eye on it. "Eeeking" another loading or two out of some tired brass simply is not worth the compromised safety that will hang in the balance. [/QUOTE]
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