How Many Reloads?

[November]

I just received 100 new pieces of starline brass in 45 Colt to begin my reloading journey. How many times can I expect to reload this brass before I see neck cracking or other terminal damage. Typical loads will be 255gr lead over 8.5 grains of Unique.

 

[Cholo]

If you don't bell them too much...25+X's?

 

[EDK]

I just received 100 new pieces of starline brass in 45 Colt to begin my reloading journey. How many times can I expect to reload this brass before I see neck cracking or other terminal damage. Typical loads will be 255gr lead over 8.5 grains of Unique.

Back in the 70s?, SHOOTING TIMES magazine had an article where they reloaded a 38 special casing SEVERAL HUNDRED times. They had photos of the single casing on top of a pile of used primers, powder and bullets. YOU probably won't do that well, but if you don't work the brass excessively and stay with the moderate load you mentioned, you'll do well. You might want to do some measuring on your chambers and see the difference between fired and re-sized cartridge casings. Unfortunately some 45 Colt chambers are oversize...MARLIN 1894 lever actions have been mentioned concerning this problem. HANDLOADER magazine has had some articles about the problem and some solutions also...the editor is a 45 Colt fan.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Simply clean, inspect, discard if defective, reload, repeat.

 

[WIL TERRY]

I am still using the first 250 W-W 45COLT cases obtained in 1971 for my then new RUGER BLACKHAWK 4 5/8" 45/45 convertible. I HAVE LOST COUNT OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY'RE BEEN LOADED !!! Suffice to say brass is an expendable commodity.
In case you're wondering the load was Elmer Keith's favorite load under his 454424 262gr bullets, with a FPS of 1075 in that pistol. And that 45 pistol has what might be charitibly called phattazzed charge holes.
MUCH talk and hot air is wasted discussing how- long- my- brass- will- last and "will my gun fall apart if I actually go shoot it. "
And so it goes...

 

[contender]

Actually all of the above is good info, but it's important to note that even new brass can have one or two pieces that split or fail due to an unseen weakness by the factory. Do not let the occasional failure of a case worry you while using such mild loads.

 

[Bucks Owin]

That's a mild load and as Cholo mentioned, the longevity is gonna depend on how little you flare and crimp to work harden the case mouths. Let's compare notes down the road somewhere November, as I have recently acquired some new brass and nickle plated Starline cases too. If they hold up as well as my WW cases all will be nirvana... 8)

 

[Kho]

I find I lose a few every time I shoot, often because someone steps on them. So I make a point of picking up more brass than I shoot (we can pick up as much as we want at our range) even if I feel I have enough of a given caliber. Too much brass is better than not enough

 

[November]

Thanks everybody for the good info. I already ordered my Lee Loader in 45 Colt and I have 1200 pieces of lead to sling downrange thanks to member GAR. I just need to pick up some powder and primers. Should I look to buy that stuff online or should I pick those up locally?

 

[contender]

Buy the powder & primers locally unless you buy in bulk. Hazmat fees will run the prices up on small orders.

 

[November]

Buy the powder & primers locally unless you buy in bulk. Hazmat fees will run the prices up on small orders.

Sounds good, thanks!

 

[Rclark]

I've lost 3 so far from a batch of 500 Starline brass. Two were from 100 that had been loaded 15 times. Don't remember when the other showed up. I keep my brass in lots of 100 and don't mix. I just replace and continue to shoot them. Two were tiny neck cracks, and one was a split down the side.

 

[Kho]

I find our local gun shows are a good place to get primers and powders, and even bullets although the selection of bullets is fairly limited. The prices are equal to or better than online prices. I've also found that most of these small shops will let you call them 7-10 days ahead of a show and pre-order what you need (for an extra discount too). This is handy if you want to buy, say, 5 lbs of a particular powder.