I'm very nervous about reloading for my 500 smith. Originally I was only going to use the brass twice, but I decided to go a third round. They have been sized, and inspected. Everything looks good. I cut apart a 3rd fire starline case that had only seen very light loads. The smallest wall thickness was 0.010 how many times do you guys reuse a 500 casing?
500 s&w case life?
- Thread starter benelliguy
- Start date
I've reloaded some brand new Winchester brass 15 times now or there abouts, I've lost count. I started with full power loads, but have since only used them for trailboss loads. My reason for that is because the brass cannot hold a heavy crimp. Using 700gr bullets on the 4th shot the 5th round comes out past the cylinder and locks things up.
That Winchester brass was large pistol primer brass I reamed out to large rifle if that matters. The primer pockets are a little bit looser, but still plenty tight.
I also have some hornady brass going the same amount of reloads, maybe a bit less. I have tried annealing them once. And it helped a little, but I've never annealed before.
One problem I have been having is when the cases stick (to much pressure) the cases actually stretch to the point that the case leans to one side when on a flat surface, it gets ironed out once I resize.
That Winchester brass was large pistol primer brass I reamed out to large rifle if that matters. The primer pockets are a little bit looser, but still plenty tight.
I also have some hornady brass going the same amount of reloads, maybe a bit less. I have tried annealing them once. And it helped a little, but I've never annealed before.
One problem I have been having is when the cases stick (to much pressure) the cases actually stretch to the point that the case leans to one side when on a flat surface, it gets ironed out once I resize.
Can't speak to the 500, but I've reloaded some of my 460 brass over 10 times now with no issues and the 2 cartridges run around the same pressures. Same with 454 Casull. Sometimes I get the odd split mouth from multiple reloads and heavy crimps, but no safety issues.
i just use walnut or corncob for 8 hours, i will upgrade to stainless at some point.
i bought a lee loader in 357mag and reloaded a piece of brass 20 times (15gr h110, 158gr bullet) before i noticed a very small crack/split on the case mouth and stopped.
i bought a lee loader in 357mag and reloaded a piece of brass 20 times (15gr h110, 158gr bullet) before i noticed a very small crack/split on the case mouth and stopped.
You should be able to safely use cases until they split. There is enough sealing going on with the brass that is should have no effect other than possibly difficulty extracting. I'm talking in general as well and not about the 500
Did you trim it and use it as .38 special?
