Using a Dillon 550B I have been reloading 40 SW for just a few days. I have loaded both SPEER and PMC cases with good results. I have noted that when I use Winchester cases, the cases are scored around the top 2/3s of the case after going through my sizing die. I have a friend who also has a 550B and he is getting the same results. The Winchester spent cases are from 165 Gr FMJ FNwere fired from my Taurus PT100. I got this Ammo from WalMart @ $35.00/100.

Question:
Are these just cheap brass and shouldnt be used for reloading. I should just ignore, or do I and my friend have an issue with our Dillon Dies. Keeping in mind that the SPEER and PMC reloads were done both before and after the Winchester reloads and came out just fine.

Choices:
Stop buying ammo at Walmart
Lube the Winchester cases

 

You need more options; like who cares? Light scoring won't hurt it. Or clean your dies or clean your brass; there is a reason for the scoring and that doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the brass. And it certainly is not WalMart's fault. Is the Win brass softer than other brands? I don't know.

It depends on what you mean by scoring. If they are small scratches, just ignore it and go on. It might appear that you have something against WalMart already, so even though the Winchester ammo is the same at WalMart as Cabelas, and Bass Pro, and everywhere else, I would just still avoid them, since you really want to anyway. Winchester brass is just different than Speer or PMC. Nothing more.

Thanks Larry, I appreciate your quick response. The scratches are more than cosmetic. You can feel them when you run your figers over the case. As long as they shoot alright and dont harm my bores or my die, Im good. Any additional thoughts?

I know the brass is clean and my die has only loaded less than 1oo rounds. I just figured there must be some issue with the brass, since I dont get the same result from the PMC or SPEER brass. One of my buddies who also has a 550B press is getting the same result.

I plan to go over to Dillons in the next day or so and show them what Im seeing to see if they have any thoughst on the matter. Ill post the results so if anyone else runs into the same thing, everyone can bennifit from everyones input. Thanks again guys.

They won't hurt your bores or die (brass does not touch your bore and your die is about 1000 times harder than the brass). Which I think the problem has to be in your die. A smooth die will not scratch brass unless the brass is dirty.

If your brass came out of the package without scratches then something in your gun or your process is causing the scratches. How about a photo?