shoot57 Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 i while ago i started reloading, i kept all the factory rounds i used to buy and am about to start reloading them for the second time so they have now all been fired twice with the third coming up...my question is is there a set amount of times i can reload them and how can i tell when the cases cannot be loaded any more ? the cases are hornaday and norma 223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem223 Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Generally a bright ring around the case head is an indication of thinning brass. You will get more reloads if you use a neck sizing die. I tend to dispose of them after five reloads. Brass is cheap. Your face isn't. You will likely find the necks split after several reloads. Err on the side of caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Five or six times is about sensible but my mate loads his 6.5mm cases till the neck splits and some have been loaded 20+ times. You don't have to chuck your old cases, buy some cheap surplus bullets and load up some reduced loads for plinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot57 Posted December 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 thanks lads looks like 5 times and no more will be my safest bet then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hi, If you are full length resizing 5 is a good number. You can make a tool out of a paper clip that will indicate if you have potential head separation. Straighten the clip then with a pair of pliers bend the last 1/8 inch of clip at right angles to the rest. Insert bent end into case until it bottoms then drag clip upwards with the point in contact with the case wall. Any indent in wall near the web will be felt. Indents indicate the possibility of head separation. If you wish to reload brass for extended periods then neck sizing with a collet die causes minimum stress to the case. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-munsters Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 I agree with all previous. 5 times if neck sizing and using hot-ish loads. Then move them over to the "plinking" tub for another 5-10 (if checked regularly) times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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