Re-using Reloading Components

[SquirrelShooter]

Got my Mod 70 back yesterday after having extractor replaced from case head separation peeling old one back, see my post "Magnafluxing" if want history. BTW, smithy checked HS, and he said it was perfect.

Anyway, I have 700-800, maybe more, rounds of of commercial reloads I bought back in '07 (.308 Win). The loads are all repurposed military brass (of many different lots); however, the packaging has the manufacturer lot numbers. Besides the latest CHS, I've had a few others with longitudinal cracks. I think/know it is time to discontinue using g these loads; however, I would like to use the components if possible. My intention was to salvage the bullets, but was advised that the powder and printers can be salvaged as well. Is salvaging the last 2 components advisable? I would think if salvaging the powder, one would want to measure the mass of every 5th charge? Too much? Too few?

Thanks,

Joey

 

[rockchalk06]

Powder is going to be one of those "Yes you can, maybe you shouldn't". If you trust that all of the loads used the same powder, maybe. If it doesn't smell like rotten eggs or look broken down, it may work. I know with places like American Reloading, they will pull powder and mix lots. Give you a "like this" rating with some load data. In the case of your stuff, I'd have to pull it all and see. That is a ton of rounds to pull and check...

Primers, I have reused them before after popping them with a decapper. Never in final load development or to really collect data on them. I'll repurpose them as foulers or fire forming stuff. I've had a few maybe 3-4 not fire (in a few hundred of doing this). That made me a bit nervous but after a minute or so, I ejected the round and set it back in the box. Others may have a better recommendation for this.

***Edited to add*** If you seat one of those popped primers and it doesn't feel like it has any or weak resistance going in, pop it and trash it. If it doesn't seal right, it needs to be trashed. If you want to check your blood pressure, lose it in the carpet and run it over with the vacuum. That will wake you up

 

[SquirrelShooter]

Powder is going to be one of those "Yes you can, maybe you shouldn't". If you trust that all of the loads used the same powder, maybe. If it doesn't smell like rotten eggs or look broken down, it may work. I know with places like American Reloading, they will pull powder and mix lots. Give you a "like this" rating with some load data. In the case of your stuff, I'd have to pull it all and see. That is a ton of rounds to pull and check...

Primers, I have reused them before after popping them with a decapper. Never in final load development or to really collect data on them. I'll repurpose them as foulers or fire forming stuff. I've had a few maybe 3-4 not fire (in a few hundred of doing this). That made me a bit nervous but after a minute or so, I ejected the round and set it back in the box. Others may have a better recommendation for this.

Man, everything you wrote is what my gut has been telling me. Thanks!

This stuff came from Georgia Arms... attachments for illustrative purposes...

 

[SquirrelShooter]

I just reached out to the company... I'm sure they can help. I will post any updates.

I'm thinking powder, if possible, the only other thing I might try to salvage... maybe...

 

[lancetkenyon]

Yeah, for the powder, unless I was real sure it was the same lot to lot, I would at least not mix them. Maybe from the same.lot would be OK. I would measure the charge weights from 20 and average it out.
Primers, as long as the brass holds them tightly, it should be OK. I have reused popped out primers,but they never go in as tight the second time.

Bullets should be fine depending on how you pull them. If you deform them during removal, pitch them, or don't expect great accuracy.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

THIS ^^^^^^^^^.
But if it was me, I would use the powder for fertilizer.
RCBS Bullet Puller with Collet works great for pulling bullets.

 

[SquirrelShooter]

THIS ^^^^^^^^^.
But if it was me, I would use the powder for fertilizer.
RCBS Bullet Puller with Collet works great for pulling bullets.

Yeah, I think I bought my (that) bullet puller in like fall 1985. <<<< this is what I was gonna originally say...

BUT!; I Googled it, and they have something really sweet-looking (which I am sure is what you recommend!) compared to my "hammer" type Didn't know such a thing existed, but ‐ makes sense! Thanks for info!

 

[17CalFan]

When I consider using unknown or questionable powder I think about what kinda money I would want in order for me to give up an eyeball. Haven't been able to come up with a number high enough. So it makes a couple hundred dollars worth of powder sound pretty worthless. It sucks but I certainly won't risk an eye on purpose.

 

[SquirrelShooter]

When I consider using unknown or questionable powder I think about what kinda money I would want in order for me to give up an eyeball. Haven't been able to come up with a number high enough. So it makes a couple hundred dollars worth of powder sound pretty worthless. It sucks but I certainly won't risk an eye on purpose.

...yeah, I was also thinking a little deeper: like the back of my skull...

Thanks!

 

[coyote wacker]

No way I would even think of useing a powder that I didn't load in the cases ! Not worth the chance of what could happen !

Primers I would never even think of using them if they were crimped....uncrimped never for a hunting round poking holes in paper or shooting rocks I wouldn't have a problem using them !

 

[17CalFan]

...yeah, I was also thinking a little deeper: like the back of my skull...

Thanks!

Oh yeah, I always figured the eye would be lost at the very least but survivable.

 

[Muddyboots]

IMO:
Bullets: start with kinetic hammer puller, finish with collet puller. Should be fne. Older reloads might need bullet seater slight push to break "seal".
Powder: 100% fertilizer
Primers: decapping can be exciting and entertaining depending how tight they are in primer pocket. Look at decap pin depth in decapped primer. Where are you going to store pile of decapped primers? They might be super sensitive now after decapping. Detonation of a pile of them would be aw crapola moment. Not worth it to me. Dispose safely.

Safety glasses at all times.

 

[SquirrelShooter]

IMO:
Bullets: start with kinetic hammer puller, finish with collet puller. Should be fne. Older reloads might need bullet seater slight push to break "seal".
Powder: 100% fertilizer
Primers: decapping can be exciting and entertaining depending how tight they are in primer pocket. Look at decap pin depth in decapped primer. Where are you going to store pile of decapped primers? They might be super sensitive now after decapping. Detonation of a pile of them would be aw crapola moment. Not worth it to me. Dispose safely.

Safety glasses at all times.

Now those are great thoughts, particularly regarding bullets... Thanks!

 

[Gregg C]

Powder is going to be one of those "Yes you can, maybe you shouldn't". If you trust that all of the loads used the same powder, maybe. If it doesn't smell like rotten eggs or look broken down, it may work. I know with places like American Reloading, they will pull powder and mix lots. Give you a "like this" rating with some load data. In the case of your stuff, I'd have to pull it all and see. That is a ton of rounds to pull and check...

Primers, I have reused them before after popping them with a decapper. Never in final load development or to really collect data on them. I'll repurpose them as foulers or fire forming stuff. I've had a few maybe 3-4 not fire (in a few hundred of doing this). That made me a bit nervous but after a minute or so, I ejected the round and set it back in the box. Others may have a better recommendation for this.

***Edited to add*** If you seat one of those popped primers and it doesn't feel like it has any or weak resistance going in, pop it and trash it. If it doesn't seal right, it needs to be trashed. If you want to check your blood pressure, lose it in the carpet and run it over with the vacuum. That will wake you up

That's funny stuff rite there! Checking your blood pressure..... Yeah!