How much is too much?

[robertc1024]

Sorry for starting so many threads in here - I'm learning stuff and at least I don't ask the same question twice. These were some .223 cases I pulled out of a new batch of sized/de-primed brass. How much denting is acceptable? I'm used to it on pistol brass - seems like 50% of the .45 shells have a dent halfway up the brass, but it's pretty small. These looked bad enough that I decided not to mess with them - particularly the ones with the dents on the shoulder.

 

[jrbfishn]

Yeah, I wouldn't use them either.

from an idgit coffeeholic

 

[scap99]

Sorry for starting so many threads in here - I'm learning stuff and at least I don't ask the same question twice. These were some .223 cases I pulled out of a new batch of sized/de-primed brass. How much denting is acceptable? I'm used to it on pistol brass - seems like 50% of the .45 shells have a dent halfway up the brass, but it's pretty small. These looked bad enough that I decided not to mess with them - particularly the ones with the dents on the shoulder.

Looks like too much lube was used.

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable loading them, but that's me.

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[robertc1024]

Looks like too much lube was used.

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable loading them, but that's me.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I thought that too when I posted the pic, but I was very careful with the lube and they had these dents in them pre-sizing. I'm tossing them anyway, just wondering about what the reasonable dent limits are.

 

[scap99]

I thought that too when I posted the pic, but I was very careful with the lube and they had these dents in them pre-sizing. I'm tossing them anyway, just wondering about what the reasonable dent limits are.

You using a spray lube or something like sizing wax?

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[Vaquero]

I'd use them for plinking rounds. Load at the bottom end of the chart.

 

[orbitup]

Those could be converted to 300 Blackout rounds.

 

[Moonpie]

It sorta depends IMO on if the dent "kinks" the metal.
If the dent can be smoothed back out from internal pressure without causing a weak spot/crack/etc in the case wall I'll re-use them.
.223 is so cheap and plentiful, tossing a few is no great loss.
Now if they were .56-50 Spencer or .22 Savage Hi-Power I'd be trying to recover them.

 

[1Andy2]

I don't think they'd be unsafe. Those portions of the case are all supported by chamber. Just make sure they'll feed and eject properly.


*I am not an expert. This should by no means be taken as expert advice. Consult your physican before strenuous activity*

 

[robertc1024]

No worries mate. I am far from a litigious person. MP - that's what I was thinking about the kinky brass. It would work harden it pretty well.


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[Vaquero]

Ah hell. Just cut 'em down and make .380s out of 'em.

yeah, I did that once. Just to see if it'd work.
It's a lot of work.

 

[1Andy2]

Ah hell. Just cut 'em down and make .380s out of 'em.

yeah, I did that once. Just to see if it'd work.
It's a lot of work.

How does it work as far as case wall thickness? Do you have to ream them out or are they close enough you can just prime and charge them as normal?

 

[Vaquero]

How does it work as far as case wall thickness? Do you have to ream them out or are they close enough you can just prime and charge them as normal?

Lots of material to remove.
Just not worth it.

 

[vmax]

I'd use them for plinking rounds. Load at the bottom end of the chart.

I used to do that then I figured why have some rounds that I can't count on being accurate if they are loaded lighter than what I;m shooting?
I figured I ended up wasting the bullet, powder and primer on those.

I just toss the brass

now for a guy with a mini 14 and he want to go shoot up a caliche pit, those are fine.

 

[Vaquero]

I used to do that then I figured why have some rounds that I can't count on being accurate if they are loaded lighter than what I;m shooting?
I figured I ended up wasting the bullet, powder and primer on those.

I just toss the brass

now for a guy with a mini 14 and he want to go shoot up a caliche pit, those are fine.

mag dumps.

 

[Dawico]

It sorta depends IMO on if the dent "kinks" the metal.
If the dent can be smoothed back out from internal pressure without causing a weak spot/crack/etc in the case wall I'll re-use them.
.223 is so cheap and plentiful, tossing a few is no great loss.
Now if they were .56-50 Spencer or .22 Savage Hi-Power I'd be trying to recover them.

I agree with all of this.

 

[motorcarman]

I fired 40 rounds through my HK 91 and the cases had severe 'half-moon' dents from the ejection port. G3s (HK91) are REALLY ROUGH on brass.

I just sized and reloaded them. They fired just fine the second time. The dents became swirls in the brass.

I thought it was a great way to be able to count the times the cases were reloaded?????????

That was back in the 1980s and I guess I should blow the dust off it and shoot it again. Been a loong time.

bob

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I'd load them for combat accuracy.

 

[robertc1024]

With birdshot?

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

With birdshot?

Only for home defense. First I'd rack the slide to scare them off.