How long before my brass gives and how can I tell?

[harbl_the_cat]

So far I've reloaded close to 5000 rounds of 9mm and 45ACP using a mixture of whatever brass I salvage from the range and whatever of my own brass I police.

My concern is that I've probably reloaded some of the same brass 4-5 times and since I pick up so brass at random - I never know what other brass has been loaded to.

I never exceed the "never exceed" value in my reloading manual and if the brass is cracked or has obvious deficiencies with it I throw it away.

To my recollection I think I've probably only thrown away a dozen or so cases.

Are there any other signs I should be looking for in my brass to know whether or not it is safe to load? Generally speaking, how many loads can you get out of the brass you fire?

Thanks!

 

[bear.23]

9mm and 45 are mild pressure loads... Load them until they split or crack....
I've got some I've loaded 20 or more times...

As long as you resize it properly you should be fine...

I take it you inspect your brass before you load it...
If your primer pocket becomes enlarged pitch it...

40 and 38 super and the bottlenecked cases require a little more review and will most likely have a shorter lifespan....

 

[BattleRife]

Shoot them until you lose them. That is by far the greatest cause of attrition of 9mm and .45 cases.

 

[tigrr]

I have some 45ACP brass that you can't read the headstamp anymore. Probably been reloaded 50 -60 times. Like Bear said as long as you don't +P them and stretch the primer pocket, they will be reusable till they split. I don't use the old ones in a match but they are great for plinking. After polishing I stand them all up on a tin cookie can top and examine them under a lighted magnifier for split ones and large flash holes. I then use another cookie can top and flip them over and sort them by headstamp.
I've also notice if I over crimp the 45 case it starts to show tiny cracks at the case mouth, probably from work hardening. My 9mm is up there too, because I reloaded the same 200 for a year and a half, every week and sometimes twice a week, minimum 40 times and those that I haven't lost I'm still reloading. I have purchased about 7000 45ACP brass and 8000 9MM brass for future reloading, because its not getting any cheaper.
Happy reloading!