Reloading Used Cases

[edchef]

Hello All
My FAC just dropped through the letterbox and I am itching to get reloading again (Last reloaded in c. 1977!)
I notice that there seems to be lots of companies and some individuals who offer "once fired brass'' is it worth the risk - particularly if you don't know what make it is?
Thanks
Ed sign92

[ovenpaa]

It works for me, I will happily use once fired .308 and .223 cases and it offers a significant saving if you find the right person. John25 on this forum sells fully prepared RWS .308 brass, cleaned, sized, shiny and ready to go.

[edchef]

Thanks for that
I have slots for .223 and .357 mag and hope to reload both eventually - I like the idea of ' shiny' as well!
Off to look for brass cleaning topics
Thanks
Ed

[edchef]

Actually - I have a box of 'Gecco' cases (in .223) Someone told me it might be difficult to get the primers out - does anybody have any experience of these?

[John25]

If they are Boxer primed you shouldn't have too much trouble.

I would reccommend that you buy a 'Heavy Duty' de-capping die and remover the primers as a separate (the first) part of your reloading procedure.

I haven't reloaded .223 for years and I don't remember any problems although I am not familiar with the Geco case.

Hope this helps

:cheers:

[dromia]

Once fired brass can be a very good buy, just make sure they all have the same headstamp mixed lots aren't really a good idea.

Buy from a reputable source like John25 and you won't go wrong.

[Steve]

Im lucky as people tend to give me their brass and all i do is just do the normal checks for splits etc before preparation.

357 is easy as they can be reloaded countless times-infact i did some only a little while ago.Magtech brass (its nickel plated) tends to be much better quality than Privi so if you're after buying some look out for this stuff.Privi brass (pistol calibres that is) start splitting after maybe 8 times,but the Magtech cases havent worn at all.I should really get a blow torch and anneal them to make them soft again.

[ovenpaa]

Out of interest can you shoot 38 Special brass in a 357?

[Steve]

Out of interest can you shoot 38 Special brass in a 357?

Yes,but it isnt advisable if you use cast bullets in a lever-action.Because the case is a tiny bit shorter the bullet dont sit in the forcing cone so when fired it has to leap forward into the barrel and then you get a ring of lead which is a pain to remove.I've had many people warning me about this.

[dromia]

That is partially true and can be over come with appropriate boolit fit and length if your chamber/throat/rifle will allow it. The velocity that you shoot at will also determine build up and with regular cleaning at 38 special velocities then it shouldn't be a problem.

However it is easier just to shoot .357" cases in a .357" chamber but yet again how many people have .357" cases that exactly fit their chamber, I suspect that the vast majority of .357" will also leave a gap, maybe not as much as a .38" but a "lead gathering gap" none the less.