How many reloads are you getting with these before discarding the cases?

I'm trying to figure out what kind of cost each would generate over the long run if I were to reload so if you could also let me know how many grains you are loading that would be very helpful.

I shoot a .338 WinMag. I don't know the # exactly but it's around 7 times that one lot of my brass has been reloaded and so far it is holding up well. I only size down just short of the length of the neck though. My best loads are:

250gr Hornady RN
73gr Rel 22
Winchester LMR primer

218gr. Swift A-frame
68.5gr H4350
same primer

I just picked up a box of Barns X bullets but haven't tested them yet but they will probably top my list when I find the right load.

About 10 loads for the 338 I would say from my gun

Has anyone tried one of these dies which resizes the belt? I can't find a link to the one I have in mind, but they claim to extend case life considerably.

Nebraska, if you are only neck sizing and will anneal the neck every 5 reloads, you can extend case life until you get head separation. Generally, the neck will split around 7 to 10 reloads if you do not anneal.

Aquvit, as long as you are neck sizing and not moving the shoulder back, the case is no longer head spacing off the belt. Yes, I have seen the FL dies you are referring to in �Precision Shooter�. They look like a pain in the ass to use.
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[ 01-10-2003, 19:23: Message edited by: Zero Drift ]

The guy making those dies to resize the belt posted here about them and was practically laughed right out of here. The basis on which they are made and sold is that brass goes south when the body and belt in the lower part of the case expands and these dies size only down there. Those who posted were long time belted mag users and there was not one report of a problem for which this die has the 'solution'.

On 338 Win Mag brass I average between 10 and 15 reloads when using domestic brass. Some time back I started using 358 Norma brass which has a longer body than 338 Win Mag. By sizing this brass initially to conform to your chamber you eliminate the significant initial stretch of the body which ultimately leads to incipient case separation. I'm up to 18 reloads on the initial lot using the 358 cases and the body is still fine. The primer pockets are beginning to loosen. If you full size the domestic brass every time, even if you don't set the shoulder back too far, five to ten reloads is about average for brass life in most any magnum. If you neck size only after the first four or so, then set the shoulder back minimally, more than 10 reloads are possible. The killer is the initial firing when the shoulder is pushed out. That can stretch anywhere from .015" to .024". That's what starts the process of case separation.

Nebraska , I don't think you will see a significant difference in case life between the two , assuming properly set sizing dies .

I think the RUM would be a good choice for the handloader , especially if you are not hunting much overseas . If you think you need factory ammo , the .338 is the practical choice , hands down .

[ 01-11-2003, 20:22: Message edited by: sdgunslinger ]