45 colt brass?

suspenders_slim · May 16, 2014, 03:12 AM

Okay guys, what did I buy. Saw 4 boxes of 45 reloads at a flea market, bought them just for the brass mostly. I got them home and they did ot slide in my Lee shell holder. Well upon inspection, the rim is different, doesnt have the deep groove above the rim like 45LC. says on the bottom 45 umc...what did I just waste my money on? Thanks

Airman Basic · May 16, 2014, 03:56 AM

Balloon head, maybe?

suspenders_slim · May 16, 2014, 06:34 AM

The have been reloaded I believe, they have a semi wad cutter bullet in them, but the cases do look like what you have above, same rim, I dont see how I can use them? AT least I think they are reloads.

Gster · May 16, 2014, 06:38 AM

What do the cases measure?

jaguarxk120 · May 16, 2014, 07:02 AM

A shell holder is not a case gauge.

Use a set of calipers and case dimensions taken from the Lyman manual.

suspenders_slim · May 16, 2014, 08:07 AM

2.67 in length.....477 diameter....510 diameter of rim. These would work but, maybe I didnt explain myself well, why isnt there a groove right above the rim on the case, because there is no groove in these cases is why it will not slip into my shell holder.

Airman Basic · May 16, 2014, 09:06 AM

I believe I read (back in the days of the printed page) that the groove in modern brass cases is there mainly for ease of manufacturing. If your brass doesn't have it, it's probably seriously old, and if balloonhead, it's dangerous to reload, not as strong. Google balloonhead brass and you'll see what I mean.

suspenders_slim · May 16, 2014, 12:45 PM

Thank you Airmen, thats what I wanted to know, looks like I learned a lesson, going to just throw away these 100 loaded I have then.2 of the 4 boxes were more the mpodern brass so it wasnt a total loss.Thaks again!!

40-82 · May 16, 2014, 03:36 PM

Don't throw them away. I'm sure a collector would want them.

Mike / Tx · May 17, 2014, 04:58 AM

Yep check with The Old Western Scrounger.

Unless they ARE reloads and simply now what someone didn't know any better called them, he will let you know real quick if they are worth anything.

May 16, 2014, 03:12 AM	#1
suspenders_slim Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 14	45 colt brass? Okay guys, what did I buy. Saw 4 boxes of 45 reloads at a flea market, bought them just for the brass mostly. I got them home and they did ot slide in my Lee shell holder. Well upon inspection, the rim is different, doesnt have the deep groove above the rim like 45LC. says on the bottom 45 umc...what did I just waste my money on? Thanks

May 16, 2014, 06:34 AM	#3
suspenders_slim Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 14	reloaded The have been reloaded I believe, they have a semi wad cutter bullet in them, but the cases do look like what you have above, same rim, I dont see how I can use them? AT least I think they are reloads. Last edited by suspenders_slim; May 16, 2014 at 06:43 AM. Reason: addition

May 16, 2014, 06:38 AM	#4
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	What do the cases measure? __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.

May 16, 2014, 08:07 AM	#6
suspenders_slim Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 14	size 2.67 in length.....477 diameter....510 diameter of rim. These would work but, maybe I didnt explain myself well, why isnt there a groove right above the rim on the case, because there is no groove in these cases is why it will not slip into my shell holder.

May 16, 2014, 12:45 PM	#8
suspenders_slim Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 14	thank you Thank you Airmen, thats what I wanted to know, looks like I learned a lesson, going to just throw away these 100 loaded I have then.2 of the 4 boxes were more the mpodern brass so it wasnt a total loss.Thaks again!!

May 16, 2014, 03:56 AM	#2
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Balloon head, maybe?

May 16, 2014, 07:02 AM	#5
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	A shell holder is not a case gauge. Use a set of calipers and case dimensions taken from the Lyman manual.

May 16, 2014, 09:06 AM	#7
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	I believe I read (back in the days of the printed page) that the groove in modern brass cases is there mainly for ease of manufacturing. If your brass doesn't have it, it's probably seriously old, and if balloonhead, it's dangerous to reload, not as strong. Google balloonhead brass and you'll see what I mean.

May 16, 2014, 03:36 PM	#9
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	Don't throw them away. I'm sure a collector would want them.

May 17, 2014, 04:58 AM	#10
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Yep check with The Old Western Scrounger. Unless they ARE reloads and simply now what someone didn't know any better called them, he will let you know real quick if they are worth anything. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX