[potentialglock]

So I got my first reloading press for Christmas. My main question right now is when reloading brass, as long as there are no visible defects (cracks, dents, etc.) Are they safe to reload? What should I be looking for when inspecting brass?

[sdiver35]

Congratulations. First off if the brass doesn't look like brass, I won't load it. Secondly give it a squeeze to be sure it isn't brittle. Other than that if you have doubts about any pieces just don't load them. I keep a coffee can on my bench for such finds.

Here is one that almost got passed me. I found it when I went to flare the case after priming. I felt it give where there is usually a bit of felt resistance.

Be safe and enjoy it!

[Vikingdad]

I think it is important to polish brass well so that defects are readily apparent. I also inspect each piece literally every time I pick it up all the way through the whole process right up to when I load the round to fire it.

I also keep a 5-gallon bucket that gets all of the defective rounds, when full this gets sold to the recycler.

[Bob Wright]

When you resize/de-cap a case, after awhile you will get to know just how much pressure is needed to resize your case. If you find one that suddenly easily resizes, check it for splits. If you feel any lack of resistance, discard the case.

Count the times the case has been reloaded. After about five loadings, use those cases only for mild loads.

Bob Wright

[c3shooter]

For straight sided pistol, you will usually lose those in the grass before you wear them out. I have some .38 Wadcutter that I have almost worn the headstamps off (very mild loads) from reloading.

With bottlenecked rifle, brass will stretch, flow and lengthen. Check and trim as needed, but for .40/.45, unlikely to be an issue. Inconsistency in pressure needed during sizing OR seating primer is a clue to stop and look at that case.

[locutus]

I use loose primer pockets, case head expansion, and visual inspection.

I usually get 10 or more loadings from MilSurp 9MM cases loaded to +P+

I have .38 cases that have been loaded to target velocities more than 50 times.

[lbwar15]

Originally Posted by potentialglock

So I got my first reloading press for Christmas. My main question right now is when reloading brass, as long as there are no visible defects (cracks, dents, etc.) Are they safe to reload? What should I be looking for when inspecting brass?

Have you read the ABCs of reloading? If not I would recommend reading it before starting to load.

[potentialglock]

Originally Posted by lbwar15

Have you read the ABCs of reloading? If not I would recommend reading it before starting to load.

No but I've read the latest Lyman reloaders manual. Does that work?

[c3shooter]

Reading Lyman's is good. Wished I had read ABC's before starting a long time back.

[potentialglock]

Was this kit supposed to include dies? And the handheld priming tool included doesn't have a shell holder. Its the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit. It seems like I can't even start reloading yet