brass case reloading life

[ballkeeper]

how many reloads do you get from .223 brass before there no good

[dromia]

Depends.

[ballkeeper]

Depends

looking just on avge , but thanks anyway

[Ballistol]

Im sure you are aware, that there are a number of different factors that can result in the various different failure modes for reloaded brass.

Typically, in my .223s, the load I use yields about six reloads from a case before the primer pockets start to become a little loose.

[WelshShooter]

To embellish on Dromia's post, the two major factors that contribute to case life is the load you use and case preparation. High pressure loads will reduce case life dramatically compared to modest loads. Case preparation that contributes to case life includes sizing (full length vs shoulder bumbling vs neck sizing only) and annealing. Excessive sizing and firing will work harden the brass, making in brittle and likely to split or rupture. Annealing causes the brass to soften and is usually done after a number of full length sizing to allow the brass to retain its shape after sizing rather than springing back.

Only when we know the combination of the above can an average case life be given. I use Lapua cases, modest loading and collet die neck size only, no annealing. I have managed 5 firings so far with no detrimental effects (primer pockets are still tight, no change in case length, rifle chambers the round without tight bolt close). I have not discarded any cases yet based on the above.

[bnz41]

In the wifes AR15 we use Lapua brass it's on the 6th reload no issues at all, in my Remington 700 I use Remington brass and after 4 reloads starting to get loose primer pockets and starting to see areas where the brass is starting to weaken.

All brass is neck sized and has not been Annealed. So alot will depend on what brass you start out with in the first place.

[Oddbod]

Neck sizing only will always prolong case life, whereas loose headspace or a 'generous' chamber combined with full length sizing will shorten it.
When shooting & reloading semi auto AR15's over the Pond, my friend & I are seeing signs of incipient case head separation & loose primers after four reloads that average just over 3,000fps with 55gr bullets.

[Pete]

I've just pensioned off some PPU after 10+ firings. They were neck sized, body sized every 3 firings, and annealed once after 5 firings.
Still no problem with the primer pockets, but a couple of split necks rang the bell.............
Switched to Lapua brass now, which interestingly is stamped "match" on the head.

Pete

[kennyc]

I am still using the PPU cases I bought 7 years or so ago in my K31, always full sized, and anealled every 5 or so cycles they are well over 10 loadings with no signs of impending doom.
my load is not top of the scale, but reasonably warm.

[Sim G]

I have some Lapua brass in .223 that’s 20 years old. I haven’t got a clue how Nancy firings some of it has had, but they haven’t had a gentle life! FL sized in straight pulls, neck sized only when ran through bolt guns. I’ll bin one or two every now and again, but it’s real Duracell bunny stuff!

It was bought when Lapua wasn’t so bloody expensive as well and spent most of its life mixed with brass of other makes in a big plastic tub!