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Old March 24, 2005, 06:24 PM   #1
tjhands
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How many times can I reload .45ACP brass?

I've heard mixed stories on this topic. Some say 12 times max, some say they've done 30 times with no signs of wear. Right now I have ziplock baggies with different batches of brass in them....some marked 3X...some marked 4X and so on. Is this overkill? Should I just mix them all together and check for wear as I begin to reload each time? Thanks again.
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Old March 24, 2005, 06:38 PM   #2
goodshot
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Depends.......

......Like how hot it was loaded. Are you using it for bullseye shooting ? If it's just for target shooting, you might as well just through it all together like you said. Just inspect it as you reload it. It's really a tough question to answer.
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Old March 24, 2005, 06:47 PM   #3
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3X is the absolute max I would recommend. Once they have been loaded 3 times then ship them to me.

For anything but the hottest loads....You will lose them before you wear them out.
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Old March 24, 2005, 07:35 PM   #4
Mike Irwin
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I'm on about 20 times with some of my .45 cases.

Some of my .38 Spl. cases, ones I use for light target loads, are going on 40 or more.

I'm thinking 5, maybe 10 more loadings out of this one before it's done...

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Old March 24, 2005, 07:37 PM   #5
HSMITH
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I have some that you can't read the headstamp on anymore, easily 20 loadings from me and it was used when I got it.
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Old March 24, 2005, 07:53 PM   #6
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Keep the pressure low and till the cows come home. I have brass from 1985 I'm still reloading.
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Old March 24, 2005, 08:56 PM   #7
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You can reload it for like what seems.....forever.

Seriously though, Jeeper is about right, most of the time, you'll lose it before it's worn out.
I have some (like HSMITH), that the headstamp is almost unreadable.
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Old March 24, 2005, 11:52 PM   #8
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I have some WCC MilSurp that has been loaded +P 15 times, and looks like it will last for a few more.
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Old March 25, 2005, 12:02 AM   #9
G56
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If you shoot moderate loads, 45 acp brass lasts almost forever, I don't even try to keep track of how many times my 45 acp has been loaded anymore, it all goes into the same bucket.
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Old March 25, 2005, 01:38 AM   #10
Zak Smith
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Until I lose it...

(170PF with 200's and Titegroup)
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Old March 25, 2005, 07:26 AM   #11
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true test

Tested = over thirty (gotta 38 Special light-load case test = over one hundred).

Process, baby..........
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Old March 25, 2005, 07:39 AM   #12
ulflyer
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I've reloaded a bunch of 45's but never kept track. Recently I was having some failures to fire, using the same primers that I had been using for years, so after checking that the gun performed well with factory ammo, I started "micing" the cases and found that a lot were fairly short; .084-.85 mostly, on up to rarely .089. Question: does this stuff shrink?

Loaded some new Starline and gun then functioned as it should.

Using Dillon dies, 550 press.
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Old March 25, 2005, 09:18 AM   #13
tjhands
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Once again, thank you for the knowledge. Yep, I load them pretty light - just enough bang to cycle the slide every time. My batches of .45 brass will all be reunited tonight in the same bag! Like a biiiiiig family reunion.
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Old March 25, 2005, 10:17 AM   #14
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45 loading

Mike Irwin-----that blown case..what was it fired in ???
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Old March 25, 2005, 10:30 AM   #15
Mal H
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How many times ...?

I honestly don't know. I haven't devised a method of keeping track, and I doubt I would ever try to do that. I usually lose them at a sufficient rate to ensure new brass is steadily enfused into the system.
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Old March 25, 2005, 10:36 AM   #16
Mike Irwin
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Hornet,

It was fired in my Springfield 1911 A1 Mil Spec.

I was loading on a new press on a new bench and got out of synch and double charged a case.

That's what 9.8 grains of WW 231 will do to a case.

My 1911? Not a problem.
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Old March 25, 2005, 12:02 PM   #17
tjhands
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Mike, do 1911's have a lighter spring? My Ruger P97 won't even cycle 5.1g of W231 with a 230g FMJ, let alone the 4.9 that you are using.
I started with 5.1 but got all kinds of FTF's and FTE's.
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Old March 25, 2005, 12:13 PM   #18
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tjhands,

I shoot 5.0grs of w231 under a 230 Cast Bullet all the time in my P97.
Never had any problems at all. I don't understand why yours won't cycle.
I have a buddy who has one too, he shoots whatever I load, didn't have any troubles with either gun.
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Old March 25, 2005, 01:26 PM   #19
Mike Irwin
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You can get a variety of spring weights for the 1911, from I believe 12 pounds for light target loads to 21 pounds for +P.

4.9 grains of 231 will cycle mine with the original factory spring, but I have to have it clean and well lubed.

For bowling pins I normally go a couple of tenths hotter.
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Old March 25, 2005, 01:33 PM   #20
tjhands
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5.3 W231 is perfect for my gun. No failures of any kind. Weird how one P97 could be different from another P97.....I mean I know every gun is unique, but wouldn't you think the springs would all be the same tension strength? Interesting.
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Old March 25, 2005, 09:12 PM   #21
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How new is yours tjhands?

I know when mine was new, it was a little troublesome, but after a couple hundred rounds, it came around and eats whatever I feed it now.
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