19 February 2002, 14:38
<samNella>44 Mag case life?
How many reloads can I expect? What will happen first -- split necks or case head separation?
Federal cases, warm but not hot loads (240gr bullets with either 11.0gr Unique or 23.0 H-110), S&W mod 629.
19 February 2002, 15:15
ricciardelliI'm still using the same brass since 1963...25.8 of H-110, 240 grain Sierra bullet and CCI-350 primers. Haven't had any fail yet....
19 February 2002, 15:23
Bigdaddytacpquote:
Originally posted by samNella:
How many reloads can I expect? What will happen first -- split necks or case head separation?Federal cases, warm but not hot loads (240gr bullets with either 11.0gr Unique or 23.0 H-110), S&W mod 629.
Sam...the brass is strong and last a long time..the crimp makes the case mouth split and if you use a roll crimp hard into the bullets they will split faster....I haven't ever had a straight wall pistol case seperate in the head...they all mouth or side split.....my current batch has 8 loads thru them of hot but not too hot loads.....good luck and good shooting!!!
19 February 2002, 20:52
<ChuckD>My oldest brass has been reloaded 14 times and still looks great. I generally don't load hot, and am conservative in belling and crimping. I have had nickle-plated 38 spec. brass crack slightly at the mouth--I think nickle-plating is prone to shorter case life. Shoot well and have fun---ChuckD
20 February 2002, 18:16
<hotdog>If one lot of your brass lots starts to split anneal it, that will give you more reloads out of it. But all in all I have to agree with the other fellers some of my brass is old but it still shoots fine Luck hotdog
21 February 2002, 03:11
<bigcountry>I have loaded mine 10 times and it has got real thin. Some have started to split. So I examine extra good after seating. I put a major crimp on mine however. This probably takes away from the life of the brass.