new vs. used brass
Have any of you noticed appreciable differences in accuracy when using new vs. used brass for your loading/reloading?
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No I have not. But I always work up a load in the ammo I am reloading and tune it to the rifle I am loading for. 0 -
Question. If a person doesn't reload should he even save brass? (Some of it is steel looking). I've had some laying around for 10 years. Thanks. 0 -
yes! Then you can have a giveaway! 0 -
I used to shoot at a range that sold reloads. I'd save them up to exchange every Saturday morning for fresh reloads. Then they went kaput. 0 -
I see a difference for some rifles if I neck size... obviously no difference if FL resized. I only have a couple of rifles that I use this process for... too much trouble involved (for me) in the whole process of neck sizing & shoulder bumping for the most part. If I recall correctly, the difference is .25 to .35 MOA. 0 -
my BAR 7mm likes new brass. i can have them relaoded once and the group will open up to 1.5". load them twice, and it will open up to 2"-3", third time and you never know where they will go 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
my BAR 7mm likes new brass. i can have them relaoded once and the group will open up to 1.5". load them twice, and it will open up to 2"-3", third time and you never know where they will go
my FIL was mentioning that he can't load used brass for his Ruger #1, because the brass expands so much that the extractor can't extract it. I assumed it could have an effect on accuracy as well.0 -
does anyone carry with loads loaded into used brass? 0 -
I like new cars and factory fresh. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
does anyone carry with loads loaded into used brass?
I only use factory ammo for self defense and carry.0 -
quote:Originally posted by CS8161
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
does anyone carry with loads loaded into used brass?
I only use factory ammo for self defense and carry.
As do I.0 -
btt 0 -
I'm not a super accurate target shooter so I have no first hand knowledge. However I have a friend who is a bench rest shooter who has won numerous matches over the past 20 or so years. He will only use new virgin brass for his match shooting saying that brass will not shoot the same the second time around. 0 -
do we have a consensus? reloads relegated to general plinking. 0 -
Surely no concensus for using only new brass... contradicts the basics of accurate rifle shooting. Ask this question on the reloading forum. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by CS8161
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
does anyone carry with loads loaded into used brass?
I only use factory ammo for self defense and carry.
same here.
and not because i don't trust my reloads i just don't trust the legal system much and lets not leave out LAWYERS......0 -
Anyone reload 9mm, I have brass and steel from range days. I usually recycle it but will collect it for a giveaway if it has a calling. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
my BAR 7mm likes new brass. i can have them relaoded once and the group will open up to 1.5". load them twice, and it will open up to 2"-3", third time and you never know where they will go
my FIL was mentioning that he can't load used brass for his Ruger #1, because the brass expands so much that the extractor can't extract it. I assumed it could have an effect on accuracy as well.
Plain as day. The reloaded stuff is quite hotter than the factory stuff. That's the only reason a reloaded round used in the same gun would cause difficult extraction. Joe0 -
quote:Originally posted by lpaalp
Surely no concensus for using only new brass... contradicts the basics of accurate rifle shooting. Ask this question on the reloading forum.
how so? Why not answer this question here, where it's posted?0 -
Firing only new brass eliminates the advantages of 'fire formed' brass - fitting the case to the chamber it is fired in... and assumes those who are firing 'virgin' brass are FL sizing before firing (which is not a logical assumption), thus essentially making any case, new or used, the same size. What difference, then, in new or previously fired brass?
For those who carry only new ammunition in handguns, I submit they do not reload, or have no confidence in their reloads, or haven't tested their handloads well enough to find an optimum load which suits their firearm.
Why put it in the reloading forum? It will be read by those who fire "used" brass, and are familiar with the various facets of reloading, which would generate better discussion. Aside from which, the OP discusses loading/reloading... seems pretty self explanatory this is a 'reloading' forum question... IMO, of course.0 -
benchrest shooters (the accuracy experts) use reloaded brass to set world records.
fireformed brass is always the best. Now, after a few firings if you are loading them hot, you may need to anneal the necks to get the same neck tension back. The work hardening of the necks causes fluctuations in the neck tension, which will affect accuracy. With tight neck chambers however, it is less noticable than factory chambers.0 -
quote:Originally posted by lpaalp
Firing only new brass eliminates the advantages of 'fire formed' brass - fitting the case to the chamber it is fired in... and assumes those who are firing 'virgin' brass are FL sizing before firing (which is not a logical assumption), thus essentially making any case, new or used, the same size. What difference, then, in new or previously fired brass?
For those who carry only new ammunition in handguns, I submit they do not reload, or have no confidence in their reloads, or haven't tested their handloads well enough to find an optimum load which suits their firearm.
Why put it in the reloading forum? It will be read by those who fire "used" brass, and are familiar with the various facets of reloading, which would generate better discussion. Aside from which, the OP discusses loading/reloading... seems pretty self explanatory this is a 'reloading' forum question... IMO, of course.
there are a host of legal reasons for NOT carrying with your handloads.0 -
quote:there are a host of legal reasons for NOT carrying with your handloads.
Examples?0 -
quote:Originally posted by lpaalp
quote:there are a host of legal reasons for NOT carrying with your handloads.
Examples?
prosecuters have charged the person defending themselves with handloads with "intentional maiming" etc etc. They say you loaded bullets meant to inflict major damage and wounds and paint the picture that the defendant was a "sick/mean/twisted/whatever" person who loaded these evil bullets. The jury is most likely firearm ignorant, and the guy who defended himself gets a prison sentence.
always carry factory ammo.0 -
quote:Originally posted by lpaalp
quote:there are a host of legal reasons for NOT carrying with your handloads.
Examples?
well, for one it would be quite easy for a prosecutor to paint you as reckless and dangerous because you used some "super hot" or "special" (i.e. more dangerous) load for your gun. Obviously, you were just looking for a fight. You weren't interested in self defense, you wanted to show off your macho load?
Now, we both know that wouldn't be the case. Likely your loads are merely tailored to function best in your particular weapon, but why give the prosecutor that argument to make?
Joe blow on the jury doesn't have a clue about reloading or its benefits. You'll be painted as a loose cannon and they will buy it, or at least have some doubt.
Commercial loads may not be as accurate, but they are good enough, and you take that argument away.0 -
I reload for both hand gun and rifle. Granted, I've only been doing it a little over a decade, so I'm not perhaps as accomplished as some here on GunBroker. For the above mentioned reasons, I keep over-the-counter ammunition in my carry pistol. Not because I don't have confidence in my abilities to load, or create the most accurate ammunition for any given gun. 0 -
I've heard that argument before, on this forum a few weeks ago, I think... someone asked for an actual example of a prosecutor using that logic in a prosecution - no one could cite an example.
I actually think factory loads - some of them, at any rate - could work against the defendant. Suppose the prosecutor takes the position that the defendant is a shooting hobbyist, and loads his own ammunition for all other purposes... but in his carry gun he is loading S**t hot, +P, Corbon hollow point man stoppers.... If I were prosecuting, I would ask why that particular bullet selection from a knowledgeable shooter, if not to inflict maximum harm/injury...?
However, if such a thing would happen, I think any good defense attorney could legitimize hand loading and shooting as a hobby.
At the 7-10 yard distance most shooting conflicts seem to occur in, I really don't think handloads or factory is gonna make much difference, but from about 20 - 30+ yards, I know my handloads outperform (accuracy) factory loads in my guns.
Whatever... but if the occasion arises, I'm gonna be defending myself with handloads.0 -
quote:Originally posted by lpaalp
I've heard that argument before, on this forum a few weeks ago, I think... someone asked for an actual example of a prosecutor using that logic in a prosecution - no one could cite an example.
I actually think factory loads - some of them, at any rate - could work against the defendant. Suppose the prosecutor takes the position that the defendant is a shooting hobbyist, and loads his own ammunition for all other purposes... but in his carry gun he is loading S**t hot, +P, Corbon hollow point man stoppers.... If I were prosecuting, I would ask why that particular bullet selection from a knowledgeable shooter, if not to inflict maximum harm/injury...?
However, if such a thing would happen, I think any good defense attorney could legitimize hand loading and shooting as a hobby.
At the 7-10 yard distance most shooting conflicts seem to occur in, I really don't think handloads or factory is gonna make much difference, but from about 20 - 30+ yards, I know my handloads outperform (accuracy) factory loads in my guns.
Whatever... but if the occasion arises, I'm gonna be defending myself with handloads.
that is your choice, but like I tried to point out, why give the prosecutor that angle with which to impart doubt? Sure your atty would rebut, but how effective is that going to be. you're already on the defensive, why be more so?0 -
I prefer fired brass.
And my benchrest buds ONLY use fired brass.
CP0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
my BAR 7mm likes new brass. i can have them relaoded once and the group will open up to 1.5". load them twice, and it will open up to 2"-3", third time and you never know where they will go
my FIL was mentioning that he can't load used brass for his Ruger #1, because the brass expands so much that the extractor can't extract it. I assumed it could have an effect on accuracy as well.
Plain as day. The reloaded stuff is quite hotter than the factory stuff. That's the only reason a reloaded round used in the same gun would cause difficult extraction. Joe
I don't believe he loaded it hotter, but that could be the case.0
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