Brass question

[jvpark]

I was wondering how many times can you reload brass?

Is it not re-loadable if there are signs of stress?

I was wondering if I should segregate my brass based on how many times I reloaded them or based on condition?

[damndave]

What calibers? Mainly depends on the caliber and how hot the load is.

Calibers like 223 and 308 generally go 5-8 reloadings and then the primer pocket starts to get loose.

My handgun brass will go well over 15 reloadings, but I usually lose it before it starts to go bad.

ALL of my match loads/brass get sorted by times fired.

[Ahhnother8]

I was wondering if I should segregate my brass based on how many times I reloaded them or based on condition?

They kind of go hand-in-hand. If you keep them grouped by times fired, when some fail, it is time to toss the whole lot.

My .223 brass gets fired 10-15 times and .308 goes 15-20 times. Both are with STIFF loads every time. Good rifle chambers and compatible dies are what save the brass.

[jvpark]

.308

So primer pocket or stress marks around the neck?

What do I look for around the primer pocket? will the primer fall out or be loose?

[rcschummers]

When the primer pocket becomes loose it will have noticable blackening which is gas that has leaked from a bad seal from between the primer and the pocket. This leaking, from what I understand, can destroy a bolt. I some cases the primer will be loose and can fall out. Stress marks can be found typically at the base of the cartridge. Appearances can vary but will usually be a ring around he base of the case in a much lighter tone (picture a grey line over a black surface or a really bad stretch mark on a person). Other indications may be a lighter in tone, verical line which is a indication the case could split. Bulging at the base of the case.
Lymans 49th edition has a really good segment about over pressure and case integrity, I recommend studying those chapters, they will make you paranoid, but its cheaper to chuck some old brass the replace your gun.

[Ahhnother8]

.308 Will the primer fall out or be loose?

Yep. I have pushed them back in and carefully closed the bolt and fired them. They go right in the middle of the target, but that is the end of their life. The necks will also split. They get one more firing if they make it through to the powder charging stage. You can feel the lack of resistance when seating the bullet and are marked for recycling. Same as above, they go right in the middle, then are tossed. And I'm talking in the middle at 600-1000 yards. Who woulda known?

[Chief-7700]

I have loaded some .45ACP so many time the headstamp is worn off.

[CSACANNONEER]

Anywhere from one time to "until the primer pockets won't hold a primer". It really depends on the cartridge, the load, the gun's chamber and the way it gets resized.

[the86d]

If I don't see case-head separation, and can't find a hairline crack with a paperclip, then I could just keep on loading them until the primer pocket gets loose?

[wtkaiser]

If you don't shoot balls to the wall loads and your cases get trimmed when they need it, the brass has to come from somewhere and as I understand it, that somewhere is directly in front of the head. I think you are supposed to see a bright ring around that area when it gets thin, but that's just "book larnin'", not my personal experience. So either trust your cases until you see something change, or sacrifice a case by cross-sectioning one once in a while. (Watch those thumbs when you do this!)