Pulling reloads, reusing the brass question

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Suther

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So I've got about 20 reloads to pull. I made some loads to test, but decided to check the velocity on them first and realized the powder is simply too slow for the case I'm using (D4350 in 7mm08) so I am going to pull the bullets and try a different powder.

My plan is to reuse all the components, but I'm wondering what other people do, specifically with their brass. I'm thinking neck tension will be lost between seating the bullet and then pulling it (will be using a kinetic puller, its all I got)? If so, whats the best way to fix that? Should I just back out the decapping pin so it doesn't remove the primers, and otherwise resize as normal? Would removing the decapping pin entirely have the chance of causing some other issue?
Is there a better way?
 
I do not know if it is "right", but I have pulled many loads that were not working out. I set up my full length sizing die with a nickel between the bottom of the die and top edge of the shell holder. Then I remove the de-capping pin from the de-capping stem, and leave the expander button - usually a little higher than it would normally be. Since my brass were almost always full length sized when I loaded them, this trip in and out does not need lube on the case body. Resizes, I think, the neck, except for last thickness of that nickel. I have reloaded and fired dozens that way, without incident.
 
I would just use the cases without worrying about the neck tension being affected. In general, seating the bullet would not stretch the brass; only firing would expand the neck. You could fuss with resizing the neck, but I would not.
 
Don't have a neck sizing die. All I have is my RCBS competition dies.

I just realized the decapping pin pulls right out! This will be easier than I thought! (I've mostly used Lee dies up until now)

Al-Sway said:
I would just use the cases without worrying about the neck tension being affected. In general, seating the bullet would not stretch the brass; only firing would expand the neck. You could fuss with resizing the neck, but I would not.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Anyone else care to comment on this?
 
I back off the decapping rod and resize. You will catch anything that may have happened during its journey and if it's already been through the die it won't be much, if any, work done to it.
 
I do not know if the neck stays "stretched" after seating a bullet - from my dies the inside of necks are always about .002" smaller than the bullets. "neutering" the de-capping function seemed easy enough - no lube required so no clean up after - I found it pretty simple step to do. I prefer to lock down my dies when pressed up hard by the shell holder - so that is the reason for the "nickel" as a spacer...
 
I have made up "Mexican Match" ammunition, replacing issue ball with match bullets. I found it necessary to neck size.
 
Ganderite said:
iF YOU ARE doing load development for accuracy, you should re-size the neck (FL die works). For plinkers, the brass is still ok.
Click to expand...

tiriaq said:
I have made up "Mexican Match" ammunition, replacing issue ball with match bullets. I found it necessary to neck size.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. If I have a neck sizer I use that, and it saves lubing the cases. Otherwise I lube and back the expander ball off a bit. I want uniform neck tension and bullet pulls.
 
Al-Sway said:
I would just use the cases without worrying about the neck tension being affected. In general, seating the bullet would not stretch the brass; only firing would expand the neck. You could fuss with resizing the neck, but I would not.
Click to expand...

^^^This is what I have always done if making general purpose ammo.
...but if this is load development for accuracy, do as Ganderite says.
 
I just did the same thing with some .243 rounds. I simply changed the powder charge and seated the bullets again. There was no noticeable change in effort required for seating, so my neck tension didn't change much if at all. This was with an established "good" load.
Having said that, if you're being "particular" with these loads, resizing the necks by running them through the die again with the decapping pin removed can't hurt anything.
If you get less than perfect performance when you fire them, you'll know what the problem "wasn't" at least. One less variable in the equation.
 
There can be more to it than "just go ahead and use them again". I have had brass that came out of a rebound hammer with the shoulder "pulled " a bit when the slug is removed. The annealed state of your brass & neck tension of your original bullet seating will influence if this is a "thing" or not in your case. How tight your rifle chamber-headspace is will be the deciding factor if the brass is usable without a full resize.
 
fingers284 said:
There can be more to it than "just go ahead and use them again". I have had brass that came out of a rebound hammer with the shoulder "pulled " a bit when the slug is removed. The annealed state of your brass & neck tension of your original bullet seating will influence if this is a "thing" or not in your case. How tight your rifle chamber-headspace is will be the deciding factor if the brass is usable without a full resize.
Click to expand...

Exactly why I just resize. Neck sizing (or nothing?) only is fine until you run into the time it isn't. At the very least check them with whatever you have on hand. Hopefully folks aren't doing anything important when their laziness catches up.
 
I recently did this exact same thing also with a 7-08. I pulled the bullets, threw a different powder and re-seated bullets. Effort to seat bullets was definitely reduced so I have to assume neck tension was reduced. I was still not able to twist or move the bullet in/out by hand. This was part of some refining a load and I did not get the results I was expecting. I would definitely say the reduced neck tension had an effect. But if you're just plinking I'd say just reload and shoot. Otherwise resize.
 
cbh560 said:
I recently did this exact same thing also with a 7-08. I pulled the bullets, threw a different powder and re-seated bullets. Effort to seat bullets was definitely reduced so I have to assume neck tension was reduced. I was still not able to twist or move the bullet in/out by hand. This was part of some refining a load and I did not get the results I was expecting. I would definitely say the reduced neck tension had an effect. But if you're just plinking I'd say just reload and shoot. Otherwise resize.
Click to expand...

If I was just plinking, I'd just shoot these loads. But I'm trying to work up a load for my moose hunt in a few weeks, so I will be throwing them back through the sizing die just to make sure.

Thanks everyone for your input!
 
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