Reloading!

[lpel]

Ok so I have been reloading for many years. But I have a silly question....

I will be reloading for a new to me 22-250. Have loaded for others for years. But when I have read about reloading everyone seems to start with new or once fired brass. I am wondering what Is the down side with using brass that has been loaded mulitilpe times but full length resized? Just wondering if I am missing something?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[stubblejumper]

When you say multiple times, do you mean in the same rifle, or in another rifle? If brass has been fired in one rifle, with a larger chamber, it can be difficult to chamber in another rifle, even after being full length resized. If I am starting with a rifle that is new to me, I start with new brass, to avoid any possible issues.

 

[Hotwheels81]

New, once fired, 10x fired... Dosent really matter to me as long as they are all the same head stamp...

Brass work hardens the more times it's sized and shot, it will get brittle and split/crack/seperate or the primer pockets will loosen off till primers start falling out and you gas cut your bolt face...

As long as you check it for head seperation and that the primer pocket is still tight then load er up an let er fly... Case neck annealing does help as well to keep the neck from splitting.

Chamber dimensions, headspace, max pressure in the chamber, type of action all have a role in how quickly cases are destroyed as well... My M14 can crack a case head on the 3-4th loading, my hunting rifle has some cases that are on #12 reload with no visable signs of head seperation or loose pockets.

 

[H4831]

Ok so I have been reloading for many years. But I have a silly question....

I will be reloading for a new to me 22-250. Have loaded for others for years. But when I have read about reloading everyone seems to start with new or once fired brass. I am wondering what Is the down side with using brass that has been loaded mulitilpe times but full length resized? Just wondering if I am missing something?

Thanks for the replies.

I wouldn't worry about getting new brass, just full length resize what you have and you should trim them to length.
Before you go any further, check to see if the sized cases will go into your chamber and the bolt will lock up with out extra pressure.
If the cases are quite hard from shooting and resizing, there is a good chance that normal, full length resizing, will not allow the case to chamber in the strange rifle and the bolt lock. This is because the hardened brass will expand again, after coming out of the die. So make sure the die is turned in enough to take up all the slack in the press under pressure. If they still won't chamber with ease, the solution is to anneal them from the shoulder forward.
Annealing is never a bad idea and will, without doubt, give you a few more firings before the case wears out.
As long as there are no cracks or stretched areas in your old brass, annealing them will bring them back to like new condition.

 

[lpel]

Thanks folks. You have pretty much confirmed what I thought. I will continue to use the cases I have. All same make, fl resized and trimmed to length. Wasn't sure and didnt think it would affect anything but thought I would ask to be sure.