How many reloads?

[co’den]

How many reloads are you getting from your brass?
I’m absolutely brand new to reloading and had assumed that I’d get 6 or 7, or if I was really careful, maybe 10 reloads from factory ammo.
Today I received a Lee classic loader in the post. The instructions say I could expect up to 100 reloads. That sounds an awful lot to me, hence the question.

 

[Len the dog]

So many variables, chambering, powder weight, make of brass etc. But 100, only in your wildest dreams.

 

[Dave_45]

How many reloads are you getting from your brass?
I’m absolutely brand new to reloading and had assumed that I’d get 6 or 7, or if I was really careful, maybe 10 reloads from factory ammo.
Today I received a Lee classic loader in the post. The instructions say I could expect up to 100 reloads. That sounds an awful lot to me, hence the question.

It will depend a lot on how you load your rounds and what cartridge your loading.

What brass it is , annealing them etc etc

I don’t think there’s a clear cut answer,but learn the signs of when your brass is no longer good to load.
Worry about that first.

 

[Smellydog]

could expect up to 100 reloads.

In 38 Special yes....

 

[timbrayford]

In 243 around 7 or 8 with federal, Winchester etc, up to 20+ with lapua. With ppu in 270 no more than 4 before dangerous neck separation. I'd probably get a bit more if I annealed but I'm crap at metalwork so don't bother.

 

[User00056]

I usually get between 8 and 10 in my .270 and .308. But I anneal every third firing and don't load them hot.

 

[Heym SR20]

For a centrefire rifle at 55,000 plus psi its about 10 plus or minus 3 or 4.

Lots of variation between brands, between calibres and between reloaders.

Key pointers towards end of life are splits in the neck or cases getting thin above the case head.

 

[NullMac]

Depends how much powder you put in. If you are really keen then as low as one.

Don’t push for every last bit of velocity.

 

[co’den]

I’ll be reloading .303 Brit initially and .270 eventually.
I’ve got some PPU factory .303 and Remington factory .270. The plan was to put that through my rifles and then neck size only for reloading.
I’ve also got some once fired military .303 ammo from the 60’s which I’ve had full resized. I’ll neck size that once I’ve shot it.
If I get 5 or 6 reloads out of each I’ll be happy.

 

[User00056]

plan was to put that through my rifles and then neck size only for reloading

I just full length resize every case. For stalking, any perceived benefits from neck sizing really aren't that important. To my mind, anyway

 

[co’den]

I just full length resize every case. For stalking, any perceived benefits from neck sizing really aren't that important. To my mind, anyway

I’m brand new to this but from what I can gather full length sizing is harder on the brass than just neck sizing. I’ll be using my 303 for targets mainly and expect to shoot it a lot. Like you say, less of an issue for the .270 as that’s my stalking rifle.

 

[Namman]

In 243 around 7 or 8 with federal, Winchester etc, up to 20+ with lapua. With ppu in 270 no more than 4 before dangerous neck separation. I'd probably get a bit more if I annealed but I'm crap at metalwork so don't bother.

Strange, PPU lasts at least 7 reloadings in my .270 and never had a neck separation
I don't rate Lapua brass after experiencing body splits in both factory ammo and reloaded ammo in .308.

 

[Namman]

I’m brand new to this but from what I can gather full length sizing is harder on the brass than just neck sizing. I’ll be using my 303 for targets mainly and expect to shoot it a lot. Like you say, less of an issue for the .270 as that’s my stalking rifle.

I would be suprised if you get more than 5 or 6 full power loads in .303 British in a Lee Enfield. Watch out for incipient case head separations.

 

[Dazb1967]

Ive lost count how many times I have used the brass on my 204, I use Hornady brass but don't run it hot, I also only full length size and don't bother wit FL, I'm reloading for my 6.5CM now as well now but I have just started with the 6.5 so my brass is fairly new.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Am still happily reloading Norma brass that came with a second hand .222Rem I bought in 1999 - the brass was all going to the scrap dealer but the guy selling the rifle gave it to me for reloading. Yes, there have been some split necks but I anneal the ‘batch’ as soon as one neck split. As others have said, there are many variables so it’s impossible to guarantee anything - Lapua used to guarantee their new brass for a minimum of 10 firings but that disappeared off the boxes a long time ago!

 

[webley701]

How many reloads are you getting from your brass?
I’m absolutely brand new to reloading and had assumed that I’d get 6 or 7, or if I was really careful, maybe 10 reloads from factory ammo.
Today I received a Lee classic loader in the post. The instructions say I could expect up to 100 reloads. That sounds an awful lot to me, hence the question.

How are you determining that a case needs discarding - what is it that makes you consider that a particular case is no longer suitable/safe to be reloaded?

As regards your .303” in particular, what rifle are you shooting the ammunition in?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

FYI, .303 is known for headspace issues leading to head separations.

 

[kenbro]

For a centrefire rifle at 55,000 plus psi its about 10 plus or minus 3 or 4.

Lots of variation between brands, between calibres and between reloaders.

Key pointers towards end of life are splits in the neck or cases getting thin above the case head.

I seem to get loose primer pockets before any of the above.
Ken.

 

[jthyttin]

With Lee Loader I'd say well below 10. Since it's only neck sizing, sooner or later the brass won't fit in the chamber. I understood that you've received the 303 cases full resized by somebody else. If you're going to full resize (or have resized) the brass at some point, it's very beneficial to match the sizing to your chamber (i.e. to not resize too much)

One note, make sure to check whether they're Berdan or Boxer primed. Boxer is the usual variety in consumer market, that has single larger flash hole in the middle and anvil is part of primer. Berdan has anvil in the primer pocket, and two smaller flash holes.

 

[cjm1066]

As others have said so many variables.

I had a batch of Winchester factory ammo, a small % split the at the neck on the first reload, the others lasted years, I discarded the batch when I have lost 50%. A few lost in use the odd split neck etc.

The key is case inspection at each reload.