How much of a dent is too much?

SharpCdn · May 24, 2000, 07:53 PM

I was fortunate enough to score a motherload of 9mm cases from the local range after the LEO's were out training. Its all nice shiny federal cases. 4,000 of them!

The thing is, there are quite a number of them with a very small dent in the case a little less than 1/8th of an inch from the case mouth. It must be from the brass striking something on the weapon and being deflected out, because of the uniformity of the dents in so many of the cases.

How can you tell if you should chuck it or keep it.

I would hate to throw it out if it will be remedied after the first reloading, but, I am also a perfectionist when it comes to my reloads.

What rules of thumb do you guys follow when sorting through your casings?

**Bud Helms** · May 24, 2000, 08:00 PM

After tumbling and cleaning, run them through the sizer to see if the dents get ironed out. They probably will.

Separate brass by brand.

SharpCdn · May 24, 2000, 09:03 PM

I will try that and see if it works. If the dent remains through the sizing process is it a right off then?

No sorting required, it was ALL federal brass! (I even got all the boxes it came in: Federal Classic 9BP)

I hope I can salvage the ones with dings in them. We'll see.

**Mal H** · May 24, 2000, 09:42 PM

999 times out of 1000 dented cases cause no problems at all (probably even less than that). As sensop said, the dents usually get ironed out on sizing. But even if they don't, the small dents that remain won't affect the performance. They'll come out real fast (in roughly .001 second) when you fire them.

Believe me, if dents were a problem, I wouldn't have any twice fired .223 brass that comes from my Mini-14. I would have to throw it all out after the first firing.

Ala Dan · May 25, 2000, 05:36 AM

You must throw them away; we here in Alabama
take all unuseable brass!!!

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

PS: Just kidding, of course, those small dent's should not hurt a thing.

**Bud Helms** · May 25, 2000, 06:59 PM

You vulture!

May 24, 2000, 07:53 PM	#1
SharpCdn Member Join Date: July 29, 1999 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72	I was fortunate enough to score a motherload of 9mm cases from the local range after the LEO's were out training. Its all nice shiny federal cases. 4,000 of them! The thing is, there are quite a number of them with a very small dent in the case a little less than 1/8th of an inch from the case mouth. It must be from the brass striking something on the weapon and being deflected out, because of the uniformity of the dents in so many of the cases. How can you tell if you should chuck it or keep it. I would hate to throw it out if it will be remedied after the first reloading, but, I am also a perfectionist when it comes to my reloads. What rules of thumb do you guys follow when sorting through your casings?

May 24, 2000, 08:00 PM	#2
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	After tumbling and cleaning, run them through the sizer to see if the dents get ironed out. They probably will. Separate brass by brand.

May 24, 2000, 09:03 PM	#3
SharpCdn Member Join Date: July 29, 1999 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72	I will try that and see if it works. If the dent remains through the sizing process is it a right off then? No sorting required, it was ALL federal brass! (I even got all the boxes it came in: Federal Classic 9BP) I hope I can salvage the ones with dings in them. We'll see.

May 24, 2000, 09:42 PM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	999 times out of 1000 dented cases cause no problems at all (probably even less than that). As sensop said, the dents usually get ironed out on sizing. But even if they don't, the small dents that remain won't affect the performance. They'll come out real fast (in roughly .001 second) when you fire them. Believe me, if dents were a problem, I wouldn't have any twice fired .223 brass that comes from my Mini-14. I would have to throw it all out after the first firing.

May 25, 2000, 05:36 AM	#5
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	You must throw them away; we here in Alabama take all unuseable brass!!! Regards, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member PS: Just kidding, of course, those small dent's should not hurt a thing.

May 25, 2000, 06:59 PM	#6
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	You vulture!