Brass question.

[Wraith308]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen! I have a question about brass. I'm new to reloading and I plan on reloading .308 and 9mm. I'm in law enforcement so I have a pretty steady source of once shot brass. The .308 we use if match grade. My question is about the level of acceptable damage to brass before you chunk it. Obviously I wouldn't reload badly damaged or bent brass but what about small dents and dings. Some of the brass I have access to has been fired through M14s. The ejector on those things leaves a nice little dent in the brass about 1/2 inch below the neck. I don't think it will have a huge effect because I'm shooting them in a bolt gun but I'd like to hear some opinions.

Safe Shooting!!

 

[RTH1800]

Shoot it. No problem. One thing that could be a problem is if it is fired in an oversized chamber.
If you have a tight match chamber you might need a small based die or avoid that brass.

 

[918v]

No problem with m14 dent

 

[lightman]

I agree, no problem. I've shot range pick up brass that was severely dented. As long as there is enough shoulder to head space I'll shoot it. I do cull anything that has 3/4 or more of the case mouth crushed . I've learned that if it has a crease that those will split.

 

[Jared308]

Lucky guy ??

 

[Peterpan]

Yep they will get reformed when fired and look fine i bought a bunch of brass at a gun show awhile back that was dented up from over lubrication or the bypass hole was plugged in they sizing die. I had to fire all of them but they came out fine.

 

[RTH1800]

You need to make sure they fit your chamber after sizing prior to loading. Lot of the old USGI m14’s have large chambers. Your standard die may not resize the base small enough. No need in loading unless they fit.

 

[Crang]

I load match brass 4-5 times for an M14 before it gets chucked or moved to a bolt gun. Plenty of dents and all is good.