This season I'm trying something different , instead of shooting the same cases which would go 25 reloads without any problems . I'm trying 3 different brands , FC , ADI and HSM 30 cases each . My season is about 5 months , shoot every Sunday weather permitting . Will shoot one brand then the next range trip switch to the other. Case prep will be the same , I don't neck turn or use heat . Want to see if it makes a difference . 25 reloads may seem alot but I'm not loading hot , brass holds up well , headspace range is .0015 - 2
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Brass life
- Thread starter cw308
- Start date
I picked up some range brass a while back; must've been an AR mag dump as there was a pile of 20 of 'em laying there. They were ADI, .223 cases. Took 'em home, knocked out the primers, cleaned them, sized them, and trimmed them. I was fairly amazed at how consistent they were in length, all 20, and just needed a bit of trimming for my bolt gun. Using my standard load that I've settled on for that rifle, it seems every time I use those loadings with those "picked-up" ADI cases at the bench, I seem to get the best groups out of that rifle. Coincidence or no, those ADIs are great cases, and I got to try them for free! Don't need any .223 brass currently, but I'd buy ADI without hesitation when needed (FWIW).
reinert
I get the brass from a shooting friend that doesn't want to reload . ADI , FC & HSM brass are very similar . All brass comes from my friend and all the brass comes from boxed HMS WIN 308 168 gr. A Max Match is what is listed on the box . The bullet is the same but the brass is these 3 different brands . Works out great for me and I also find the brass very consistent . Thanks for answering my post .
Chris
I get the brass from a shooting friend that doesn't want to reload . ADI , FC & HSM brass are very similar . All brass comes from my friend and all the brass comes from boxed HMS WIN 308 168 gr. A Max Match is what is listed on the box . The bullet is the same but the brass is these 3 different brands . Works out great for me and I also find the brass very consistent . Thanks for answering my post .
Chris
You should see the FC fail first, crack at the base (fully supported rifle?)
I would guess no more than 5 - 8.
My RP 30-06 looks like its starting to give up the ghost, lost count of how many times through the system. 15-20.
Oddly, while primers were the first indicator (loose) I did have a slight crack on the base of one (fully supported chamber).
Keep in mind those are all done with minimum shoulder bump back.
I have a new lot of once fired RP ready to plug in if this trend continues.
I would guess no more than 5 - 8.
My RP 30-06 looks like its starting to give up the ghost, lost count of how many times through the system. 15-20.
Oddly, while primers were the first indicator (loose) I did have a slight crack on the base of one (fully supported chamber).
Keep in mind those are all done with minimum shoulder bump back.
I have a new lot of once fired RP ready to plug in if this trend continues.
houndawg
I would agree the pockets would loosen up first , have been using all three brands for years only noticed some pockets would seat easier the others after 15+ reloads . Now instead of using one brand till the end , I'm going to switch each week starting with 30 HSM then FC & ADI after the season I'll dump those 90 cases . I have plenty of this brass , I want to see if there is a difference in cases shooting better with less reloads . Before I would go 24 reloads on the same 30 cases over a season , for me that's 5 months.
I would agree the pockets would loosen up first , have been using all three brands for years only noticed some pockets would seat easier the others after 15+ reloads . Now instead of using one brand till the end , I'm going to switch each week starting with 30 HSM then FC & ADI after the season I'll dump those 90 cases . I have plenty of this brass , I want to see if there is a difference in cases shooting better with less reloads . Before I would go 24 reloads on the same 30 cases over a season , for me that's 5 months.
RC20
Never showed even signs of base cracking after 24 reloads , I size .0015 - 2 headspace and I using a pretty mild load . I have seen where the head came back with the bolt an the case was stuck in the chamber . After seeing that I ordered a stuck case remover from Brownells for my 308 that I keep in my range bag , that can surely ruin a range day . The guy was loading over max. he said he likes speed . I make sure I am not next to him at the bench after that .
PS Remington RP brass is on the thin side , I know people say FC is soft , never had a
problem , it's thicker for sure .
Never showed even signs of base cracking after 24 reloads , I size .0015 - 2 headspace and I using a pretty mild load . I have seen where the head came back with the bolt an the case was stuck in the chamber . After seeing that I ordered a stuck case remover from Brownells for my 308 that I keep in my range bag , that can surely ruin a range day . The guy was loading over max. he said he likes speed . I make sure I am not next to him at the bench after that .
PS Remington RP brass is on the thin side , I know people say FC is soft , never had a
problem , it's thicker for sure .
We had one member bench rester shooter that 'claimed' he shot cases 45 times with full loads without serious after effects. He did not know what the cases weighed before he shot them and he did not know what the case weighed after he shot them; he just made the claim and no one said anything nor did they ask questions. Well, except for me, I asked, I did not get a civil answer; I should expect that when asking someone a question about something a shooter reloaders claims he did.
And then there is the real world:
F. Guffey
And then there is the real world:
F. Guffey
F. Guffey
When ever there is a question out there , I can always count on you to chime in . You have a deeper understanding in reloading an measurements the most . Most of the time it's over my head but still makes interesting reading . You would hope when someone posts a question they give as much information on the problem as possible , and reply to all the questions an answers . I find everyone for the most part to be very helpful . Keep up the good work .
Chris
When ever there is a question out there , I can always count on you to chime in . You have a deeper understanding in reloading an measurements the most . Most of the time it's over my head but still makes interesting reading . You would hope when someone posts a question they give as much information on the problem as possible , and reply to all the questions an answers . I find everyone for the most part to be very helpful . Keep up the good work .
Chris