Slightly dented brass is unsafe for reloading?

[Mimi_T]

Hello all.

I haven't started reloading yet, but I intend to when I can save up enough to buy the press and everything, so for now I'm still looking into it.

I am however saving all my brass so that I can use it when I start reloading, which is why I have a question to ask.

I just bought an used gun that has a problem, something inside it is catching on the rounds and causing feeding issues and ejecting issues. The cases that come out of this gun all have a dent on them.

Is it unsafe to save those cases for future reloading? The dent isn't very big, but I was wondering if even a small dent in the brass would threaten the integrity of the whole thing or if it wouldn't matter.
Should I just throw those away until I figure out what's wrong with the gun and get it fixed?

It's sad to see all that .45 brass being wasted...

[wellerjohn]

I don't belive it is a problem, have shot a lot of 30-30 that had small dents in the shoulder from resizing with to much lube and when firing it just reformed the case. As long as the round will chamber fully and the dent is minor I would not worry about it.

[uscbigdawg]

Pictures would help, but in general, I'll say it's no big deal. Hell...on my VERY high pressure 38 Super rounds, if the case is cracked, I'll shoot one more time. :-)

Rich

[bumpo628]

You should be fine with pistol brass. The dents may come out when you size them anyway. Post a picture if you think it will help.

[Argonaut]

As long as it will chamber it will fireform back to original without trouble. It will be difficult to tell it was ever dented.

[bruce381]

as long as the case exspander die can open the mouth to take a new boolit you are fine. Some time I get 45 brass at the range someone stepped on or has big dent in mouth i just open up best i can with needle nose pliers and run the sizing die.

[Fishslayer]

If I can get it to go through the sizing die, it's not split and doesn't have any big dings in the mouth I use it.

I get dented cases in my scrounging all the time. No need to throw 'em away.

[coyotebait]

If you're still unsure....send them ALL to me.

[ireload]

Small dents can be ironed out by the resize die or bell/expander die as others have stated.

[XDRoX]

Best way to get a dent out is to fire it

[Mimi_T]

Thank you for all the replies, everybody! It was very informative and helpful.
I'll keep saving the brass then, I'm glad to hear it's not a problem.

[Pubert]

What about if the brass has a ding on it, center of the case that looks like someone took a center punch to it? Ok still?

[coyotebait]

What about if the brass has a ding on it, center of the case that looks like someone took a center punch to it? Ok still?

A pic would be good, one mans "ding" could be another's catastrophe. I have some .223 with small dings in them, I load 'em and shoot "em.

[wlltest]

I've used slightly dented brass for my re-loads without a problem

[GeoffLinder]

dents = OK, creases = not OK