1 - Pistol Reloading Question

[Tactical30]

I have reloaded rifle ammo for the past 3yrs but have now just got into reloading my pistol cartridges (45ACP, 50AE <span style="font-style: italic">desert eagle</span>)

<span style="text-decoration: underline">I just have 1 question.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Should I resize NEW pistol brass?</span>

I have always FL resized NEW rifle brass (even Lapua)as soon as I unpackaged it because im anal and i want to make sure everything is correct size (i.e. necks) before I load them nomatter who makes it.

I have bought some NEW Remington 45 ACP brass and I resized them before I threw the powder. I most likely did not need to.

I have just got some Starline 50AE brass I want to start reloading today but SHOULD I RESIZE NEW PISTOL BRASS to be safe? Is it needed?

Thanks

 

[lane223]

Re: 1 - Pistol Reloading Question

Can't hurt to resize. That way you verified that all the brass is the same size. Even "new" brass can be squashed out of round by shipping/handling/dropping. One thing that you will find out is that pistol brass lasts a lot longer than rifle brass, especially on low pressure rounds like the 45acp.

 

[former naval person]

Re: 1 - Pistol Reloading Question

You'll need to lightly "bell" the mouth of the case to start the bullet. That pretty well takes care of the out of round problem.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 1 - Pistol Reloading Question

It can't HURT to run it through the size die before loading. I USUALLY don't do it. But sometimes in handeling the brass gets beat up a bit. Do a visual inspection and see what your gut tells you.

 

[Tactical30]

Re: 1 - Pistol Reloading Question

I guess i'll just resize all the new brass just to be on the safe side and then I know everything is the right size.

The only downside to loading the 50AE is that the CARBIDE die set from RCBS is around $350-$400! So I just bought the RCBS non-carbide die set. I would rather take the extra time and lube them before I spend almost $400 for dies from RCBS.

Maybe in the long run I would have wished to have bought the carbide ones but I dont reload that much for my pistols but more for my rifles.

Also im kinda pissed that I just recieved 100pcs of Starline 50AE brass from Grafs but when opening the bag there was only 98pcs. Usually they will give you maybe 1 or 2 extra in case some are screwed up not LESS than the amount it says on the box!