When do you throw away used brass?

[sfonelson]

So I'm starting to have three and four times reloaded 30-06 brass for my M1, and .223 for my AR.

Obviously, if I see a defect, I will toss the brass. But I haven't seen any defects yet, and the brass still looks better then new after I resize and clean them all.

How do you guys gauge when you stop using brass for reloading? Do you guys do the paper clip in the case head trick to see if there is possible starting of separation? Do you just keep reloading until the primers don't seat tight anymore?

I've been using minimum loads for both of my rifles so I am not too worried.

[wellerjohn]

Rifle brass I throw out after the 5th reload. Pistol brass thats not magnum last a long time, Ive got 9mm thats been loaded 25 times. The key to me is how many times you have to trim the brass, the more times you do the thinner the side walls are becoming. You still need to inspect it for signs of damage like primer pockets that are to big, cracks. Loading lighter powder charges will extend the brass life a lot, IMHO.

[sfonelson]

Rifle brass I throw out after the 5th reload. Pistol brass thats not magnum last a long time, Ive got 9mm thats been loaded 25 times. The key to me is how many times you have to trim the brass, the more times you do the thinner the side walls are becoming. You still need to inspect it for signs of damage.

I just trimmed last night from when I went and shot Sunday. It barely trimmed anything, in fact I could still see the chamfer and debur from the previous case prep.

[bohoki]

when the primer pockets feel loose (when i put a primer in and if feels like it went in too easy and i'll use a bent paperclip and see if i can push it out if i can i chuck it)

also if i mush a mouth seating a bullet

or the rim has a heavy extraction deformation

[toby]

I have gone as many as 15 reloads... all in bolt actions.

[Chief-7700]

Since I only reload straight walled pistol brass anymore.
Will reload it splits or I lose it. Have some .45ACP brass with well over 40 reloads on them.

[bumpo628]

If in doubt about a batch, you could cut a case in half to check for case head separation.

[GeoffLinder]

Too many extractor marks or chips in the extractor groove. Headstamp becoming indistinct. Bright ring starting to show near case head (specific to bottle-neck rifle brass). Splits in case mouths (specific to straightwall pistol brass).

I see any of these, I toss it, period.

I get 9-10 firings from .270 brass loaded pretty hot, but it's for a bolt action so I only neck size. 10-12 firings from 9mm brass. 5-7 firings (brass brand depending) from .223 that has been full length resized for semi-autos.

Again, you look for signs the brass is tired and then set your limits. Every caliber is different and not everyone will get same results with same calibers

[BigBronco]

I stepped on one today I had to throw it out.

[sequoia_nomad]

There is scrap value in brass, to "throw out" any is a waste.

[WDE91]

^^ I do agree

even if it is useless for reloading it still has a scrap value

I am mainly a rimfire shooter and recently got into shooting centerfire
all rimfire brass goes in the scrap bucket
all centerfire brass gets saved and separated based on caliber

I do partake in "redneck recycling"

[stand125]

There is scrap value in brass, to "throw out" any is a waste.

I asked 4 recyclers in the sacramento area about used brass and they all said that federal law states that they cannot buy shell casings during war time. They will take it and toss it, but they will not pay for it during the present time because of combat operations.

[Turo]

There is scrap value in brass, to "throw out" any is a waste.

I was going to say the same thing.

I asked 4 recyclers in the sacramento area about used brass and they all said that federal law states that they cannot buy shell casings during war time. They will take it and toss it, but they will not pay for it during the present time because of combat operations.

That is bullcrap. I've taken used brass to recyclers a bunch of times and they gladly take it, and pay handsomely for it.

[Chief-7700]

I asked 4 recyclers in the sacramento area about used brass and they all said that federal law states that they cannot buy shell casings during war time. They will take it and toss it, but they will not pay for it during the present time because of combat operations.

Wow the BS meter is running in the red on this one! When did Congress issue a
Declaration of War? I would ask the recyclers to provide a hard copy of the Federal Law.

[WDE91]

FUD

I recycle brass every time I go to the scrap yard