New Brass

[Buckeye Bill]

Question from a new re-loader.

I selected some new Winchester 308 brass at my local Cabelas.

Got 50 cases for $18.99 on sale and it was very shiny. :lol:

Do I need to size this brass in preparation for bullet seating?

 

[jeffnles1]

I always check new brass for proper length and full length size it. Most of it is pretty close, but it only takes one extra stroke of the lever to size it.

I don't load a lot of bottle neck rifle cartridges so, depending onwhat you're shooting it out of, you may only need to neck size it in the future. I think it depends on what your rifle likes. Again, I'm no expert on reloading for rifle cartridges.

Jeff

 

[captainkirk]

I always do. It is good practice to size, trim, chamfer, and make sure they have flash holes that are actual holes.

captainkirk

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks Jeff,

It makes sense that it all needs to be checked. I measured the length of several and they were spot on. The case mouth on a few were dented so that alone is reason to re-size them.

Thanks!

 

[mike7mm08]

Taking the time to get all your new brass to as close to the same specs as possible will save a lot of issues down the line. Nothing dangerous mind you. But I as well as most seasoned reloaders have encountered a lot of "what the hell" moments that can be traced back to simple little things that were skipped over for whatever reason. My procedure with new brass is to do everything to it. Size, trim if needed, chamfer,cut the primer pockets and flashholes. If I buy a large quantity of brass I do everything all at once. Then when I need something I can grab a box off the self and be good to go.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Though I don't do the flash hole prep (beyond a quick look to make sure there is one and it's open!), I do the size, trim and chamfer drill on all new brass (including pistol), as well as "new to me" brass.

You'll find a lot of those "right to spec" length cases will NOT be the same AFTER they're sized, hence the trimming to make as much equal as possible from the get go. Takes a little time, but pays off in the long run in my estimation.

Rick C

 

[mattsbox99]

I run all new brass through the sizer, mostly just to square up the case mouth. You'll definitely want to deburr and chamfer the case mouth also, it'll make bullet seating a lot easier.

 

[LAH]

You'll find a lot of those "right to spec" length cases will NOT be the same AFTER they're sized, hence the trimming to make as much equal as possible from the get go.

Rick C

+1

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks for your responses. There is so much to learn and your comments are welcome.

I have been working on 308 reloading for the past 10 days. This new Winchester 308 brass I bought was not really planned but it was shinny and got my attention while shopping for components.

I started with my first bag of 50 yesterday and re-sized them. I started by measuring each and they were spot on. Next I re-sized them and I found about 10 that had noticeable dents in the case mouths.

After re-sizing I remeasured them again and each one had gone from 2.005 to 2.007 - 2.009. So, the first stopped off for trim and chamfer. This was a very fast process compared to my once fired Fed brass that would measure between 2.018 and 2.028. I am using Lee case length gauge with a Lee zip trimmer. Taking a small about off is very fast. Lot less trimming with this new stuff.

Primer pockets looked great but while priming with my RCBS universal hand primer, I found about half were on the tight side while seating the primer.

I now have 50 uniform prepped cases ready for powder and bullets.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I check inside for flash hole "hanging chads". Seen 'em more than a few times.