Handgun Case service life (.44, 9mm)?
- Thread starter IM_Lugger
- Start date
Ideally you can reload your brass SAFELY for up to 10 times in its life span unless there's visible damage in the brass, which will shorten its expected life span to less than 10-reloads.
I normally group my brass in batches of 500 cases. I my case I dont get as far as 6-reloads per batch. I find that I am not able to gather back a lot of them in matches for the next reload until such time that I will have to buy new brass for my next batch of reloads.
I normally group my brass in batches of 500 cases. I my case I dont get as far as 6-reloads per batch. I find that I am not able to gather back a lot of them in matches for the next reload until such time that I will have to buy new brass for my next batch of reloads.
ricciardelli
CGN Regular
- Location
- Montana, USA
I have been loading the same 9mm and .44 Magnum brass since the 1960's. And they are "hot" loads.
I generally lose the 9mm brass before it craps-out. As for the .44 ... well, when the necks start to crack from too many HEAVY roll crimps I toss them.
I have not found any "magic number".
I generally lose the 9mm brass before it craps-out. As for the .44 ... well, when the necks start to crack from too many HEAVY roll crimps I toss them.
I have not found any "magic number".
The less you "work" the brass through full length resizing, etc...the longer they'll last. If you see any signs of cracking around the mouth or any bulges, etc...around the base its time to chuck it. You might want to keep an eye on your primer pocket as well. Some brass, with a steady diet of hot, "full-house" loads can see the primer pocket stretch causing seating problems for your primers.
How long your brass lasts, is also very dependent on the actual cartridge you're shooting and your particular rifle. For instance, I can get 20-30 reloads out of good quality .45ACP brass, however, .303 British case length is maybe 4-5 reloads because I fire it in different rifles with varying degrees of "generous" chamber dimensions. (headspace is okay in all of 'em) I've gotten more out of some, but it also depends on how meticulous you want to be. Stick with one lot of brass for one particular rifle, neck size that same brass instead of full length resizing and it can last you for years.
Straightwall pistol brass usually lasts quite a while anyway, with some exceptions, like .38 Super. However, you shouldn't have too much problems with your .44 Mag brass in that Raging Bull of yours!
How long your brass lasts, is also very dependent on the actual cartridge you're shooting and your particular rifle. For instance, I can get 20-30 reloads out of good quality .45ACP brass, however, .303 British case length is maybe 4-5 reloads because I fire it in different rifles with varying degrees of "generous" chamber dimensions. (headspace is okay in all of 'em) I've gotten more out of some, but it also depends on how meticulous you want to be. Stick with one lot of brass for one particular rifle, neck size that same brass instead of full length resizing and it can last you for years.
Straightwall pistol brass usually lasts quite a while anyway, with some exceptions, like .38 Super. However, you shouldn't have too much problems with your .44 Mag brass in that Raging Bull of yours!
With hot 9mm's the head of the case will likely get too battered to use before the neck starts splitting--or you will lose them. 44 mags as above--but if you have nothing else to do they can be trimmed for .44 special use if the primer pockets are ok. When I was using the 44 and 41 mags in silhouette shooting I would buy new brass for match use every 2 years and use the older stuff for practice/carbine loads.
44Bore
44Bore
