New in bag winchester brass already sized?

idaho-ar15 · February 26, 2002, 02:52 PM

I just picked up 100 rounds of new winchester .308 brass in the sealed winchester bag, are these already sized at the factory and I can skip this step or do i have to complete the sizing myself?

thanks (probably a bone head question)
idaho-ar15

Paul B. · February 26, 2002, 02:58 PM

Idaho. Not really a bonehead question. Check the brass out carefully. If the necks are all OK and not dented or otherwise banged up, you should be able to load them up as is. However, check the headstamps as well. I've seen some major screwups lately. I bought a bag of .358 Win. brass and eleven out of the fifty were .356 Win. brass, HEADSTAMPED .358 Win.
I've bought 7x57 brass by Remington that had crumpled brass, and even 30-30 brass mixed in. One bag was short one round.
The time spent checking bulk brass out, is not wasted time.
Paul B.

300winguy · February 26, 2002, 04:56 PM

I buy winchester brass for my 300, 270, and .223 I agree with the above advice. I usually don't size the brass "staight" from the bag. In fact I have gotten some of my best groups using new brass. The only time I would think about sizing it is if it has some major dents etc. A minor dent on the mouth isn't a major thing and may not need to be sized either, I have never run into a problem with doing that.

idaho-ar15 · February 26, 2002, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the prompt replies gentlemen. I'll load a batch and see how it goes.

idaho-ar15

Frank Iacono · February 26, 2002, 09:23 PM

I reloaded new "bagged" Remington brass in .308 and 30-06. After loading about 100 rounds, I noticed that the 30-06 bullets were not being held in the case mouths very snugly. In fact, the taper crimp was all that was holding about 25 of the loaded 100 rounds. The bullet could be pushed into the case by pressing the cartridge, bullet first, onto the bench. Since this time, I full length resize all my new brass rifle cases. I think this is especially important if you are using your handloads in a semi. (Incidentally, I never had this problem with new pistol cases and don't resize them initially.)

C.R.Sam · February 26, 2002, 09:46 PM

If you care enough to load the very best.
Resize em all, trim to uniform length.
Check primer flash holes. Make sure they are there, and uniform.

Sam

Steve Smith · February 27, 2002, 12:13 AM

Besides, if you're taking the time to load them anyway, don't you want them to be a true representation of what is to come? Size 'em.

zot · February 27, 2002, 04:38 AM

small base sizer, bring them to milspec,Paul B how did your loads
with 190 gr bullets work?

WESHOOT2 · February 27, 2002, 07:54 AM

Resize all cases always.

sundog · February 27, 2002, 10:38 AM

I just started a batch of 250 Win .308 that came in bags. I sized them. It does not take all that long to insure uniformity. Doing this also insures that none are missed for inspection. sundog

Johnny Guest · February 27, 2002, 11:39 AM

- - - on this thread, but to comment - -

There are so VERY many variables in precision loading anyhow, I prefer to take out all those I conveniently may.

I see no point in using my hard-won pet loads on brass that might not be of same size as the that in which I worked up the loads. Conversely, why spend time working up a new load in brass that will be somewhat different on the second loading?

When I've sized it all, at least the brass will be as uniform as my dies cn make it. That said, I admit that I don't do the neck turning and other tricks so dear to the hearts of the bench rest guys.

Best,
Johnny

sundog · February 27, 2002, 02:22 PM

Have any of you noticed that this bagged brass has 'slickem' on it? In fact, I sized some straight from the bag with no ill affect. sundog

riflemanZ · February 27, 2002, 10:09 PM

I always resize my new brass.I never assume anything.Take the time when reloading to do it right.Don"t take any shortcuts.

Ben Shepherd · February 28, 2002, 02:03 PM

New 44 mag. Winchester brass. Loaded last night. Do not remember the exact measurements. Do remember the difference between the two.

1. .003 smaller after sizing. Remember that neck tension is critical in a heavy recoiling straight-walled cartridge.

2. Now I know the primer flash hole is there.

Bill Adair · February 28, 2002, 06:52 PM

Some time ago, I made the mistake of listening to someone's advice on one of these forums, who assured me that new brass did not need resizing.

WRONG! INCORRECT! UNTRUE! MISGUIDED!

Ended up with almost three hundred 38 Special HBWC loads, with bullets that slipped around inside the case neck!

Fortunately they were very light loads, and the natural taper of the case walls prevented bullet setback of more than a few thousandths of an inch.

My advice is always resize, trim to equal length, deburr, and chamfer, all new brass.

As the sage Mr. Shepherd also noted, resizing with the depriming pin in place, will insure that no cases with plugged primer flash holes get through the reloading process undetected.

Bill

February 26, 2002, 02:52 PM	#1
idaho-ar15 Member Join Date: February 16, 2001 Posts: 61	New in bag winchester brass already sized? I just picked up 100 rounds of new winchester .308 brass in the sealed winchester bag, are these already sized at the factory and I can skip this step or do i have to complete the sizing myself? thanks (probably a bone head question) idaho-ar15

February 26, 2002, 02:58 PM	#2
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,932	Idaho. Not really a bonehead question. Check the brass out carefully. If the necks are all OK and not dented or otherwise banged up, you should be able to load them up as is. However, check the headstamps as well. I've seen some major screwups lately. I bought a bag of .358 Win. brass and eleven out of the fifty were .356 Win. brass, HEADSTAMPED .358 Win. I've bought 7x57 brass by Remington that had crumpled brass, and even 30-30 brass mixed in. One bag was short one round. The time spent checking bulk brass out, is not wasted time. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

February 26, 2002, 04:56 PM	#3
300winguy Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	win brass I buy winchester brass for my 300, 270, and .223 I agree with the above advice. I usually don't size the brass "staight" from the bag. In fact I have gotten some of my best groups using new brass. The only time I would think about sizing it is if it has some major dents etc. A minor dent on the mouth isn't a major thing and may not need to be sized either, I have never run into a problem with doing that.

February 26, 2002, 09:23 PM	#5
Frank Iacono Member Join Date: February 25, 2002 Location: vermont Posts: 18	mixed results I reloaded new "bagged" Remington brass in .308 and 30-06. After loading about 100 rounds, I noticed that the 30-06 bullets were not being held in the case mouths very snugly. In fact, the taper crimp was all that was holding about 25 of the loaded 100 rounds. The bullet could be pushed into the case by pressing the cartridge, bullet first, onto the bench. Since this time, I full length resize all my new brass rifle cases. I think this is especially important if you are using your handloads in a semi. (Incidentally, I never had this problem with new pistol cases and don't resize them initially.)

February 27, 2002, 12:13 AM	#7
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I agree with Sam... Besides, if you're taking the time to load them anyway, don't you want them to be a true representation of what is to come? Size 'em.

February 26, 2002, 07:06 PM	#4
idaho-ar15 Member Join Date: February 16, 2001 Posts: 61	Thanks for the prompt replies gentlemen. I'll load a batch and see how it goes. idaho-ar15

February 26, 2002, 09:46 PM	#6
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	If you care enough to load the very best. Resize em all, trim to uniform length. Check primer flash holes. Make sure they are there, and uniform. Sam

February 27, 2002, 04:38 AM	#8
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	small base sizer, bring them to milspec,Paul B how did your loads with 190 gr bullets work?

February 27, 2002, 07:54 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	FOR HANDGUN CASES Resize all cases always.

February 27, 2002, 10:38 AM	#10
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 783	I just started a batch of 250 Win .308 that came in bags. I sized them. It does not take all that long to insure uniformity. Doing this also insures that none are missed for inspection. sundog __________________ safety first

February 27, 2002, 11:39 AM	#11
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Not to argue with the first contributors - - - - - - on this thread, but to comment - - There are so VERY many variables in precision loading anyhow, I prefer to take out all those I conveniently may. I see no point in using my hard-won pet loads on brass that might not be of same size as the that in which I worked up the loads. Conversely, why spend time working up a new load in brass that will be somewhat different on the second loading? When I've sized it all, at least the brass will be as uniform as my dies cn make it. That said, I admit that I don't do the neck turning and other tricks so dear to the hearts of the bench rest guys. Best, Johnny

February 27, 2002, 02:22 PM	#12
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 783	Have any of you noticed that this bagged brass has 'slickem' on it? In fact, I sized some straight from the bag with no ill affect. sundog __________________ safety first

February 27, 2002, 10:09 PM	#13
riflemanZ Member Join Date: February 16, 2002 Location: milwaukee wi Posts: 20	I always resize my new brass.I never assume anything.Take the time when reloading to do it right.Don"t take any shortcuts.

February 28, 2002, 02:03 PM	#14
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	New 44 mag. Winchester brass. Loaded last night. Do not remember the exact measurements. Do remember the difference between the two. 1. .003 smaller after sizing. Remember that neck tension is critical in a heavy recoiling straight-walled cartridge. 2. Now I know the primer flash hole is there.

February 28, 2002, 06:52 PM	#15
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	Some time ago, I made the mistake of listening to someone's advice on one of these forums, who assured me that new brass did not need resizing. WRONG! INCORRECT! UNTRUE! MISGUIDED! Ended up with almost three hundred 38 Special HBWC loads, with bullets that slipped around inside the case neck! Fortunately they were very light loads, and the natural taper of the case walls prevented bullet setback of more than a few thousandths of an inch. My advice is always resize, trim to equal length, deburr, and chamfer, all new brass. As the sage Mr. Shepherd also noted, resizing with the depriming pin in place, will insure that no cases with plugged primer flash holes get through the reloading process undetected. Bill