Keep 'em or Pitch 'em

[JackEllis]

It seems I've been oversizing my brass by five or size thousandths. Now I have to decide whether to keep the oversized stuff or send it to recycling.

This afternoon I measured several fired .30-06 cases using a Hornady comparator, and then I measured some prepped brass the same way. Cases that were .002-.003 shorter than the fired cases will be reused. Some cases are .005-.007 shorter and I'm trying to decide whether I should reuse them, perhaps for practice rounds, or pitch them. Anything shorter by more than .007 should probably be pitched since I believe that's the maximum according to SAAMI.

I made similar measurements for .223 cases used in two different .223 rifles and noted the comparator measurement.

I know I've been setting up the dies incorrectly, even if I followed the RCBS instructions, but I now know what needs to be done.

[smoothy8500]

The worst that occurs with "excessive" re-sizing is case stretch and the potential for case separation. Do a paperclip test for the stretch and toss those that fail. It's a lot quicker/easier than measuring each one.

[SixPointEight]

Oh man, it's fine. Most people aren't measuring shoulder setback at all and they load ammo perfectly fine. 0.007" isn't that horrible. Is it good for case life? No. Monitor your cases for separation, but still shoot them.

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[tonyjr]

0.007" isn't that horrible . If the cases are cold that could be normal .
Take in kitchen and measure again in a couple hours .
I made the mistake of trimming after the cases came out of dehydrator .

[17+1]

.007”...? That’s like what, the thickness of two sheets of paper??

Is it really going to make a difference? I just size my brass to the gauge and run the hell out of it. Once it gets thin by the case head throw it out. It’s all range brass anyways, and all I reload for are semiautos. Never paid for any of it. I go 4-6 firings and toss it.