Hello all, I'm thinking about getting into re loading , I've never done it before and I've heard that not all shells can be re-used. How do I know I'm buying ammo who's shells can be re-used
Hello all, I'm thinking about getting into re loading , I've never done it before and I've heard that not all shells can be re-used. How do I know I'm buying ammo who's shells can be re-used
Avoid ammo that has the word "Berdan" in the description.Originally Posted by mattsn
Berdan primed cases CAN be reloaded, but they have 2 offset flash holes instead of the one centered one of normal ammo and are a PAIN to decap (remove the old primer) and Berdan primers to replace the spent ones are not that common in this country and can be difficult to find.
Ya do STUPID stuff, ya win STUPID prizes
Also make sure the cases are brass and not steel. Welcome, by the way.
No pistol is foolproof because fools are infinitely resourceful.
There are two types of cartridge cases that are considered "non-reloadable". Cases made of steel or aluminum cannot be resized properly, and cases with "Berdan" primers are difficult, but not necessarily impossible to reload. The design of the case used with Berdan primers has two flash holes off-center to the firing pin, and a "anvil" built into the case for the firing pin to contact as it strikes the primer. Berdan primers are also nearly impossible to find at any average reloading component supplier. "Boxer" primed cases have a single flash hole on center with the firing pin, and an anvil built into the primer itself. CCI "Blazer" aluminum case handgun ammo fits both categories- - - -it's not only alloy, it's also sold with a Berdan primer. European military surplus ammo is also Berdan-primed, and it can be brass or steel. American-made brass case ammo, commercial or military, will almost always be Boxer-primed and reloadable. Beware of European surplus ammo- - - -very little of it is easy or economical to reload.
Jerry
"I'm glad to be American. I'm proud that I am free. I wish I was a hound dog and Obama was a tree!"
Use American made brass ammo, and you're good. Berdan isn't practical, as primers for Berdan are hard to find.
Measure the length of the case to see if it's been stretched out too much to reload. Some stretch is fine, but excessive length can indicate more than three or so firings, or heavy loads, which can weaken the case head.
Welcome to the world of reloading. Once you get over the idea that you'll be saving money by reloading, you can shoot a lot more and eventually get your inital investment back many times over...well, a few times over, anyway. I haven't bought any new rifle ammo in quite a while. But getting in ain't cheap.
Right now, components are kinda scarce, but that won't be forever.
Not too many problems you can't fix
With a 1911 and a 30-06
Get a reloading book and read it first.
"The ABC's of reloading" was super helpful when I started. I would give it to you but I already passed it on to a former member.
http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading...s+of+reloading
timc - formerly known as timc on the last G&A forum and timc on the G&A forum before that and the G&A forum before that.....
AKA: Former Founding Member
welcome,
if youre thinking about reloading just to obtain ammo now, you are mistaken.
almost all of the reloading components you will need are just as scarce as the ammo.
The ears never lie.
- Don Burt
This....
The .270 Winchester is a "damned adequate coyote rifle." -Elmer Keith
Firearm Safety Rule #8 : No matter how responsible he may seem, never give a loaded gun to a monkey.
There's a lot more out there that CAN be reloaded than can't. But to keep it simple just buy Winchester or Remington ammo and shoot it to have the case to reload. I used to reload Federal, but I have been soured on Federal now because some of it is crap. Some is great though. But to be sure I usually buy Remingto or Winchester factory ammo or brass, which ever may be the case. There are other brands of brass that are excellent, and if you run across it and don't mind spending the extra money go fur it. That is like Norma and Lapua. They are expensive but they are known to be the very best.
I'm Just a Radical Right Wing Nutt Job, Trying to Help Save My Country!
As far as I know, Speer Blazer Ammunition is not reloadable. It is made of high-grade aircraft aluminum.Occasionally I have heard of people attempting to reload them, but I feel the risks are too high. They are NOT designed for reloading.
Reloading for Shotgun?
Blazer comes in two flavors. As pointed out above, the aluminum is not to be reloaded, but Speer has had "Blazer Brass" out for a while and it is reloadable.
The ammo on the left in this photo is Blazer Brass and it is reloadable, just like any other brass cased ammo.
Last edited by shooter; 02-20-2013 at 03:51 PM.
No pistol is foolproof because fools are infinitely resourceful.
Is there a life-span to brass? With the understanding that after firing it stretches and may need to be cut down, are there any other factors that come into play?
Yes, over time it will work harden after repeated loadings and eventually it will crack/split.
How many firings depends on numerous things. Exact size of your chamber(s) compared to the size of your sizing die, how "hot" your loads ("hotter" loads cause the brass to be stretched more, meaning it will work harden sooner) and even what round you're loading for. Cases used for low pressure 38 special "plinking" loads usually last longer than the same cases loaded to 38 special +P pressures.
Ya do STUPID stuff, ya win STUPID prizes
Depends upon which brass. Rifle probably......Pistol straight side - probably not......Pistol necked - think small rifle
I load .45 ACP to failure. I use the split case ones in practice for single shots. Most are not as alarming as some would make it out to be. But I'm experienced and good enough to know that you can only get away with that if you are downloading or lite loading practice rounds. If you don't understand that. Just do what the book says.
Bakerman formerly known as Bakerman
In pistol brass specifically .45 acp you won't be able to use,
* AMERC - brass is too tough....to much trouble throw it away.
* any steel or aluminum.....throw AL in the recycle bin....throw steel away $.01 per pound
* Whinchester Non-Toxic.......it uses a different primer pocket some have a bar across the flash hole, all use a "small pistol" primer. The majority of .45 acp uses "Large Pistol" primers.
* any shell that is just too stiff to decap and resize. ..... you will be able to feel this ....throw away.
Bakerman formerly known as Bakerman
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