Safe to reuse low crimp wad cutter brass?

Justified · January 14, 2013, 07:25 PM

Newbie Alert!
I have 50 count, 38 special brass with a crimp line roughly half way down the tube. Held wad cutter bullets. Is this brass safe to reload? Or, does that low crimp line weaken the brass? I will be reloading standard 38 special with cast bullets for my 357 Magnum.

I am Justified

Marco Califo · January 14, 2013, 07:48 PM

Yes it is safe. You can ignore the crimp line.

Misssissippi Dave · January 14, 2013, 07:50 PM

I couldn't tell you how many of those cases I have used and reused several more times. They work just fine as long as they are brass and not steel or aluminum. I use the same bullet for .38 special as I do for .357 Mag.

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot · January 14, 2013, 08:33 PM

Yep, not a problem, and as Dave indicates, I've load many over many years.

The only ones I have seen which seem to possibly have shorter brass life because of cracks in the necks are the Nickle plated cases and it doesn't make any difference if they have the "crimp line."

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

**Mike Irwin** · January 14, 2013, 10:58 PM

I've reloaded similar cases so many times over the years that the crimping, knurling, whatever has been almost completely obliterated.

Justified · January 15, 2013, 06:03 AM

Thank you everyone. Always better to ask and be safe.

Happy Shooting.

I am Justified

January 14, 2013, 07:25 PM	#1
Justified Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: Midland Michigan Posts: 21	Safe to reuse low crimp wad cutter brass? Newbie Alert! I have 50 count, 38 special brass with a crimp line roughly half way down the tube. Held wad cutter bullets. Is this brass safe to reload? Or, does that low crimp line weaken the brass? I will be reloading standard 38 special with cast bullets for my 357 Magnum. I am Justified Last edited by Justified; January 15, 2013 at 09:02 AM.

January 14, 2013, 07:48 PM	#2
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,597	Yes Yes it is safe. You can ignore the crimp line. __________________ ............

January 14, 2013, 08:33 PM	#4
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Deary, Ideeeeeeho Posts: 531	Yep, not a problem, and as Dave indicates, I've load many over many years. The only ones I have seen which seem to possibly have shorter brass life because of cracks in the necks are the Nickle plated cases and it doesn't make any difference if they have the "crimp line." Crusty Deary Ol'Coot Last edited by Crusty Deary Ol'Coot; January 15, 2013 at 12:43 PM.

January 14, 2013, 10:58 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	I've reloaded similar cases so many times over the years that the crimping, knurling, whatever has been almost completely obliterated. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 15, 2013, 06:03 AM	#6
Justified Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: Midland Michigan Posts: 21	Thank you! Thank you everyone. Always better to ask and be safe. Happy Shooting. I am Justified Last edited by Justified; January 15, 2013 at 09:02 AM.

January 14, 2013, 07:50 PM	#3
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I couldn't tell you how many of those cases I have used and reused several more times. They work just fine as long as they are brass and not steel or aluminum. I use the same bullet for .38 special as I do for .357 Mag.

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