Gentlemen: I know this is a very vague question as I am aware that case life very much depends on caliber, but for the purposes of this query, let's limit it to hot magnum calibers, specifically, the 340 Weatherby. I'm reloading pretty much max loads, that I have to trim after every shot. I've done the paper clip thing, where I feel the inside of the brass case with it and noticed no thinning. I think I'm going to quit after 4 reloads. Am I being to conservative? thanks, jorge

Not as far as I am concerned. Brass isn't all THAT expensive, so amortizing the cost of magnum brass over four or five loadings is reasonable.

Having said that, I have loaded some .300Wby five times with no evidence of incipient case head separation. I wonder if the 7STW will work out as well...

George

Brass life is really more dependant on your resizing and reloading methods than caliber or cartridge.

The brass for most of the belted magnums is made with no consideration to the clearance of the shoulder in the chamber since it is made to headspace on the belt. There are no SAAMI specs for that dimension. Most new brass has about .015" clearance at that point. At the initial firing that amount of stretch starts the case on it's way to head separation. I've seen as much as .024" clearance in new brass. If you size the brass setting the shoulder way back in a full length sizing die and letting it stretch again, case life of 5 reloads may be on the high side. If you partially full size and only set the shoulder back .001" or so every 4 reloads, and neck size the rest of the time, I've been able to get around 10 reloads and on a few occasions as many as 15. If you're trimming every reload I'd take a hard look at your sizing operation. The brass is coming from somewhere and you may be at the max number of reloads now.

I don't own any real big boomers. My largest caliber is 7mm Mag. It logs a lot of range time
in the summer. I load it fairly stiffly, but not overmax. I haven't lost a case in several years. I neck size only and spend a good amount of time on case prep functions. Actually, I'm quite surprised at how easy this case is on brass. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Referencing the & STW, mine happens to be one of those ducks that are accurate with maximum loads (especially any of the original Layne Simpson loads), or loads beyond those listed in the manuals. My brass life? SHORT. I'm careful so as not to set the shoulder back (smoking the neck and shoulder area to initially set the sizing die). Four reloadings is it.

338, et, al: Thanks for the inputs. I've gotten into the habit of full size reloading, so I guess I need to look at neck sizing only. The only drawback as I see it is that neck sizing, usually limits you to one specific rifle due to chamber dimensions. Think I'll quit at four!

Jorge--Just take a couple cases that are fired 4 times and section them.Any thinning will easily
be seen.If they are ok fire a couple 2 more times and check again.Gives you an idea about safety, your resizing procedures
and perhaps get more use from brass.Some brass will stretch evenly along sides, but most want to take it from small area ahead of base.Ed.

I like you am satisfied with 4 or 5 loadings but I suspect your die is the culprit and your overworking the brass..some things that may help or inside neck dry lubing cases, turn down your sizer return button a couple of thousands, size the neck so that the action will close on the case with just a smidgen of force on closing the bolt, the last option and probably the best is to drop down 2 grains, loose 50 or so FPS that serves no purpose in anything as fast as a 340, ...or do like I do just load shoot and when they wear out get some more....

I shoot the 404 Jefferys, 375 and 300 H&H, I like them because they feed slicker n snot, but trimming becomes a way of life with these old girls unless you load them very mild....