DustinB wrote:My reloading manual doesn't seem to have a whole lot on checking cases. Are there some specific things I need to look for to check for imminent case failure to make sure I don't reload any bad cases? Basically to know when the cases have reached the end of their life after reloading so many times.
It's difficult to accurately predict case failure with most calibers. I load 20 to 1 .45 ACP to all other calibers combined. I almost never see a sign of an impending case failure in a .45 ACP case. Failures are always the same - the case splits. When pouring the cases out of the tumbler and into the "ready" box, I look for splits and throw them away. There are very few.
Higher pressure calibers like 40 S&W and 38 Super can sometimes show excessive bulging close to the base/rim of the case. While a resizing die will bring them back into spec., a larger than normal bulge is one sign of high pressure and a
possible sign of impending failure. How much bulge is excessive is something you learn by experience, so this may not be of much help. Also, flattened primers are another sign of high pressure, but it's not a sign of impending case failure.
DustinB wrote:On average how many times should I be able to load a once fired 40S&W case?
Sorry, I don't load enough 40's to have a good estimate. However, if you don't try to squeeze the max. velocity possible out of each round, the cases should last for several cycles. With .45 ACP, I discard more cases because of dings in the rims caused by the extractor over time than a case failure.
DustinB wrote:And Finally, I've heard of alot of people separating their cases by brands and only loading each brand per batch. I just got 2000 cases from ebay and I'm wondering if I should divide them all by brands or if it really even matters. If so is there a reason for doing this?
Bench rest shooters and Bullseye shooters do this, mere mortals don't.
Seriously, I never separate cases for the type of shooting that I do. If I was a Bullseye shooter, I might, but that's too close to work.
Regards,
Chas.