How to identify when brass is no long suitable for reloading?

[want2learn]

I have a 6.5x47Lapua. I've been using the saved Lapua brass from Lapua factory loaded ammunition.

I do not exceed Hodgdon load recommendations.

I don't have an annealer but i do clean, inspect and measure COTB and overall case length on each piece of brass.

So far the cases have been loaded 7 times (factory once, myself 6 times). To date i do not see any cracks, distortions or discolorations on gross examination. The primers fit well.

Brass is expensive but getting injured is no doubt a lot more concerning. So with that, how do i recognize when it's time to retire the brass.

thank you

 

[Rocketvapor]

Without annealing the first defects will likely be neck splits or worse a separation at the neck/shoulder.
Missing a neck separation and chambering another round is BAD.

Annealing won't help with primer pockets leaking, piercing, blowing out.
Watch your bolt for damage.

Case stretching, possibly from Bumping short, firing, bumping again, can lead to thinning just above the web.
Annealing does nothing here.
Case separation can hurt.
Examine cases for preseparation indications from the inside.

 

[Supersubes]

Unless the brass is about to head separate, there’s really no danger. Inspect the base of the case closely, and do the paper clip test on the inside of the case to look for thinning. If nothing, shoot them till the necks begin to split.

I like Hodgdon data too, but the devil is in the details. Hodgdon ran their tests to 52k psi. The CIP specification for the 47 is 63k psi. Stopping at Hodgdon max is your call, but just know they didn’t stop there out of safety so much as they set an artificially low pressure ceiling. Look at Hodgdons data for the 6.5 creed. Their testing used hornady brass, which is made of silly puddy compared to the lapua 47 brass, and they ran it to 63k psi. Literally, the two case heads are not comparable at all.

 

[918v]

Hard bolt lift, that cannot be attributed to high pressure, is an indicator of head separation. Look at the case head and you’ll see a shiny ring forming which eventually leads to a crack. Don’t confuse that with regular case expansion. The shiny ring will form above the expansion mark.

Primer pockets eventually get loose and you can seat primers without resistance.

Case necks eventually split.

 

[Carlos Danger]

I've reloaded some Hornady brass near a dozen times. No issues of any kind. When they start dropping primers they go in the bin.

 

[want2learn]

thanks to all
appreciate the information

 

[Threadcutter308]

My suggestion would be to buy Lapua brass, prep it properly, anneal every 2nd or 3rd firing and don't shoot hot rounds. Always check for squared edges or flat faces on primers and back the powder charge off if you see it. Primer pockets should remain snug/tight when seating new primers in serviceable brass.

I've got 18 reloads on Lapua .308W brass and it's hanging in there just fine. Samesies with 6.5 x 47L (necked down to 6 x 47L) with 6 reloads so far. Provided everything hangs in there, I'll probably retire it at 20 reloads. I won't throw it away, I'll store it for a "rainy day".

 

[want2learn]

thanks, i guess i'll need to anneal the cases.

not sure how much extra cash we have right now, would be difficult for me to justify a thousand dollar purchase just now.....would using a propane torch to cases in a water bath be ok or has that technique been found to be in error?

 

[Steel head]

I had a head separation today in my 260.
41st loading on Winchester brass.

I already culled about 30% of that lot because of loose primers a couple loadings ago.
I’ll probably shit can all 250 cases after I shoot the loaded ones.
Sloppy primer pockets are one thing but head separations are a pain in the ass.

Split necks if you don’t anneal.
Loose primer pockets from use or excessive pressure.
Head separations from use or excessive case growth.

 

[One1Bravo]

I had a head separation today in my 260.
41st loading on Winchester brass.

I already culled about 30% of that lot because of loose primers a couple loadings ago.
I’ll probably shit can all 250 cases after I shoot the loaded ones.
Sloppy primer pockets are one thing but head separations are a pain in the ass.

Split necks if you don’t anneal.
Loose primer pockets from use or excessive pressure.
Head separations from use or excessive case growth.

Just curious - Winchester is pretty affordable...why stretch them out for that many loadings? Seeing how many you can get?

 

[Rocketmandb]

thanks, i guess i'll need to anneal the cases.

not sure how much extra cash we have right now, would be difficult for me to justify a thousand dollar purchase just now.....would using a propane torch to cases in a water bath be ok or has that technique been found to be in error?

There are options other than a $1k+ AMP. I use a DIY flame setup that works well that rotates cases in double torches, but I want to move to induction. I'm still not going to go with an AMP due to cost. I'm looking at the Annie Annealer.

 

[want2learn]

glad you're ok
appreciate the information....it helps me better understand what to look for and why it happens.

btw...how do you extract the rest of the case if the head separates off?

just saw this last post....will look up the Annie.

 

[NCHillbilly]

thanks, i guess i'll need to anneal the cases.

not sure how much extra cash we have right now, would be difficult for me to justify a thousand dollar purchase just now.....would using a propane torch to cases in a water bath be ok or has that technique been found to be in error?

check out the annealeze machine. my brother just bought one. does a great job, and I think they can be had for less than $300.00. You could probably even recoup some of your cost by annealing brass for your buddies.

 

[Threadcutter308]

glad you're ok
appreciate the information....it helps me better understand what to look for and why it happens.

btw...how do you extract the rest of the case if the head separates off?

just saw this last post....will look up the Annie.

I have an Annie. Really happy with it. Previously went the route of flame type and salt bath. The Annie doesn't have any flame to burn your house down or molten salt that behaves like WP if it gets on your skin.

 

[Steel head]

Just curious - Winchester is pretty affordable...why stretch them out for that many loadings? Seeing how many you can get?

Because I’m cheap and they were shooting awesome.
It’s time to pull the plug on them

 

[Huskydriver]

Because I’m cheap and they were shooting awesome.
It’s time to pull the plug on them

That brass owes you nothing lol. I Toss my whole lot once one primer leaks

 

[richardca99]

IMO, the average guy is going to see loose primer pockets far more often than split necks and 1,000 times more often than case head separation. When the pockets get loose, it’s time to go.

Of course, I only shoot good brass, so YMMV with the cheap stuff.