Is it worth trying to prolong brass life by running moderate loads?

[Corey75]

My main question is: is running a moderate load, a couple grains less than the hottest charge you found before hitting pressure, really going to give you that many more firings before the primer pocket gets loose?

I bought a couple hundred pieces of Peterson brass for my 7 PRC and got about 4–5 firings before my primer pockets became loose, even though I annealed before fl sizing. I'm about to rebarrel, so I'm planning to order either Peterson again or ADG, in hopes that I will get some more firings out of the ADG brass.

 

[WeiserBucks]

As far as I'm concerned you should load it where it shoots the best at adequate velocity and the brass will die when it dies. Buy new and repeat.

 

[JFK]

I would never let brass life dictate where I end up with a given load. Maybe the only exception would be if I was losing primer pockets in 1-2 firings as that would tell me I’m running them too hot to begin with. Beyond that it’s brass and a consumable. Pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Corey75]

I would never let brass life dictate where I end up with a given load. Maybe the only exception would be if I was losing primer pockets in 1-2 firings as that would tell me I’m running them too hot to begin with. Beyond that it’s brass and a consumable. Pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.

Absolutely. Mainly just jotting down my thoughts as a new reloaded to get my accounts post numbers up haha. Thanks for the response


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[Axlrod]

First off, annealing in no way can do anything about primer pocket life.
On the brass front, I have had longer life with ADG vs. Peterson.

 

[MtnW]

Like others stated. Hottest loads in hunting rounds can often times create problems in the field . Most of my rifles are set up for accuracy and usually several grains (2-4) below max. Lapua or Nosler brass is what I have found best results with.

 

[mtnbound]

My main question is: is running a moderate load, a couple grains less than the hottest charge you found before hitting pressure, really going to give you that many more firings before the primer pocket gets loose?

I bought a couple hundred pieces of Peterson brass for my 7 PRC and got about 4–5 firings before my primer pockets became loose, even though I annealed before fl sizing. I'm about to rebarrel, so I'm planning to order either Peterson again or ADG, in hopes that I will get some more firings out of the ADG brass.

If you are losing primer pockets in 4-5 firings, I suspect your loads are hotter than you think. I develop loads for accuracy first, then speed. If I get a piece of brass that is giving me primer seating issues or won't chamber. I pitch it and move on, but I prefer to stay safe with my loads, and that does allow for more reloads.

 

[100percent]

Brass and barrels are disposable but your eyes and appendages are not—pick a happy medium!

 

[rumblefunk]

You can load the brass until it splits. Check for cracks and splits and case-head separation as you load, and discard the ones that split. There are no hard-and-fast rules.

You can extend the life of your brass by not loading it too hot. Also, avoid over-working the brass (excessive flaring will work-harden the mouth), and don't expose it to ammonia.

 

[wind gypsy]

If decent brass is killing primer pockets in 4-5 firings its probably hotter than I'd want to load it and not because of brass life.

 

[Corey75]

you’re right. Not necessary at all, but I was pushing .2 grain increments y til I get a hard bolt lift, sharp edged primer, etc…. And it didn’t do me any favors other than get a minuscule amount more velocity. Young and dumb I’d say(young in terms of loading)