Brass life?

[daved20319]

So just how bad does the 10mm Auto abuse brass?  I keep seeing posts of guys only getting 2 or 3 loadings, is this typical, or are they running max loads with sloppy chambers?  I get lots of reloads with 9 and .45 ACP, but I tend to stay in the middle of the charge range, I almost never go for max loads.  Thanks.

Dave

[The_Shadow]

A lot depends on the actual brass being used...
Brass tends to work harden as you do repeated use.  Heavier high pressure loads take a toll on the longevity depending on the gun, chamber and recoil systems.

I have seen Federal Brass split from the factory loads in some weapons, fast burning powder , less malleable brass snap and split long ways.
Loose chambers and higher than recommended pressures equal SMILES and BULGES.  Sometimes the recoil system being too weak can allow the action of ejection too early and increase unsupported area of the casing while pressures are high.
Have seen brass such as PPU (documented here on the forum) that was poorly made and not hold a resized dimension and it would not hold on the the bullets as reloaded.  Bullet movement and setback.

[sqlbullet]

I loose it before it splits in most cases.

I think you would find that most of those getting only 2-3 reloads are well over book max.  That has been my experience when I have asked for and received data from reloaders having this issue.

[Kenk]

Absolutely loose them before it could be a problem 😊

[Graybeard]

I loose it before it splits in most cases.

I think you would find that most of those getting only 2-3 reloads are well over book max.  That has been my experience when I have asked for and received data from reloaders having this issue.

Totally agree. 4 or 5 loadings is no problem for quality brass, even hot stuff. Of course that rarely happens, especially if shooting outdoors.

[Kenk]

For sure, most of my shooting is done in a hayfield. Even with a large tarp positioned correctly, 40 - 50 percent never goes home with me...very frustrating

[sparkyv]

I've been shooting 10mm in my M610 more than my semi-autos as of late, so I'm recovering all my brass.  I've started noticing some primer pockets getting a little loose.  I think this will ultimately be the demise of my 10mm brass, mostly SIG and Starline.

[Kenk]

I've been looking at the S & W 610 as well

[oldman10mm]

I've started noticing some primer pockets getting a little loose.

All my reloading priming (handgun and rifle) is done with a hand priming tool. Since a hand priming tool can give you a good sense/feel of the pressure to seat the primer, when I encounter one that I don't like the looseness of, I mark/paint the entire bottom (primer area) of the case with a Sharpie black permanent marker. And then continue to reload in the normal manner. After the batch has been shot, those marked cases are pitched to the scrap bucket.

[Kenk]

Great idea, Thanks!

[Pantera Mike]

I bought my Delta Elite when they first came out in 1987 or 1988. At the time I bought a bunch of Midway-stamped brass (I later learned it was made for them by Starline). I have been using that same brass ever since.  I shoot full-power loads (10.0 to 10.4gr Blue Dot with 180-grain bullets) and just keep using the same brass over and over and over with no problems.

My IAI Javelina occasionally suffers a failure to eject resulting in the slide crunching the front of the case against the barrel hood. That wrecks the front of the case.  But as long as the guns successfully cycle, the brass seems to be immortal?  I recently got 500 rounds of Remington 180gr FMJ with nickel brass, so now I'm loading that too. Again, no problems.

[sparkyv]

It has become my recent favorite 10mm.

I've been looking at the S & W 610 as well

[Kenk]

Mine for some time as well,  and find it pretty darn exhilarating😀