44mag brass question

actionflies · February 9, 2008, 10:33 AM

I am reloading 44 mag with new brass at minimum load so how many times can you reload using the same brass for this caliber?

drail · February 9, 2008, 11:01 AM

If you don't over flare or over crimp just about forever.

Hawg · February 9, 2008, 01:17 PM

It depends on how hot you load them. If you stay at the top of the charts you'll only get 5 or 6 reloads out of them.

Rampant_Colt · February 9, 2008, 01:43 PM

if you use your brass in a lever-action rifle it will wear even quicker

zxcvbob · February 9, 2008, 02:32 PM

Until it splits. (usually at the case mouth. You might can then trim it to make a .44 Special case)

Sevens · February 9, 2008, 05:15 PM

If you are using light loads, it'll last a long time.

If it's American brand brass (headstamp: A-Merc) then it's already junk bound for the scrap pile. This stuff is the worst stuff I've ever used. I won't be using any more of it. The ones I do have are tossed in to the scrap and "for die-adjustment" box.

FM12 · February 9, 2008, 09:02 PM

Light to medium loads don't do a lot of damage, IMO. The real wear and tear is when sizeing, flaring and then re-crimping the mouth of the case. Splits start to form at the case mouth eventually from what is generally called "work hardening". The repeated action on the brass causes the splits in the mouth. It as if you take a metal clothes hanger, and began doubling it against itself, back and forth repeatedly, until the wire breaks, same premise.

Be cautious about over flaring and crimping, and it'll go a long way in the life of your brass!

wncchester · February 9, 2008, 10:08 PM

Action - "...how many times can you reload using the same brass..."

Maybe the biggest problem with brass life is the actual diameters of your chamber and sizing die so no one can give you a realistic figure for the number of reloads. Light loads won't expand the case quite so much so that helps.

Most of my .44M brass splits in the body due to the over working caused by a carbide die. Steel dies are actually tapered correctly so brass is worked a little less and lasts longer, all else being equal, than brass sized with a cylindrical carbide sizer.

Heavy crimps are really not needed on anything less than full power loads and lighter crimps will contribute to longer case life before the mouths split.

February 9, 2008, 10:33 AM	#1
actionflies Member Join Date: June 5, 2007 Location: Aloha, Oregon Posts: 70	44mag brass question I am reloading 44 mag with new brass at minimum load so how many times can you reload using the same brass for this caliber?

February 9, 2008, 01:43 PM	#4
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	if you use your brass in a lever-action rifle it will wear even quicker __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

February 9, 2008, 05:15 PM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	If you are using light loads, it'll last a long time. If it's American brand brass (headstamp: A-Merc) then it's already junk bound for the scrap pile. This stuff is the worst stuff I've ever used. I won't be using any more of it. The ones I do have are tossed in to the scrap and "for die-adjustment" box. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 9, 2008, 11:01 AM	#2
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	If you don't over flare or over crimp just about forever.

February 9, 2008, 01:17 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	It depends on how hot you load them. If you stay at the top of the charts you'll only get 5 or 6 reloads out of them.

February 9, 2008, 02:32 PM	#5
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Until it splits. (usually at the case mouth. You might can then trim it to make a .44 Special case)

February 9, 2008, 09:02 PM	#7
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	Light to medium loads don't do a lot of damage, IMO. The real wear and tear is when sizeing, flaring and then re-crimping the mouth of the case. Splits start to form at the case mouth eventually from what is generally called "work hardening". The repeated action on the brass causes the splits in the mouth. It as if you take a metal clothes hanger, and began doubling it against itself, back and forth repeatedly, until the wire breaks, same premise. Be cautious about over flaring and crimping, and it'll go a long way in the life of your brass!

February 9, 2008, 10:08 PM	#8
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Action - "...how many times can you reload using the same brass..." Maybe the biggest problem with brass life is the actual diameters of your chamber and sizing die so no one can give you a realistic figure for the number of reloads. Light loads won't expand the case quite so much so that helps. Most of my .44M brass splits in the body due to the over working caused by a carbide die. Steel dies are actually tapered correctly so brass is worked a little less and lasts longer, all else being equal, than brass sized with a cylindrical carbide sizer. Heavy crimps are really not needed on anything less than full power loads and lighter crimps will contribute to longer case life before the mouths split.