Reloading once fired brass

[Briant_az]

Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are on reloading once fired brass. This would be brass that was not fired in my gun.
I found an online retailer that is selling once fire lapua brass for what I think is a good price. I have no clue how many different guns this brass was shot in though.
Is it worth taking a chance on buying a couple hundred? Or am I better off buying new at more than double the price?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I personally only reload once-fired brass that has been fired by me. And I don’t usually care about “brass quality” so most of my reloading is done with Hornady or whatever other cheap, relatively accurate factory ammo I can find. I generally buy a couple hundred rounds of the same ammo, use it for practice, and expect to reload it four or five times before it starts to get tossed.

The one rifle for which I bought “good brass” I haven’t bothered to reload it yet because I initially found a factory round that shot so well that I ended up with tons of that cheap brass. So, my 200 pieces of Lapua or sitting unused.

I do have access to a couple of rifles that shoot relatively rare cartridges (e.g., 50-70 Government, 9.3x74R, 8x57JR). For them, I will buy the best quality brass, but they are also rifles which probably won’t get shot 200 times in my life, so it probably doesn’t matter there either).

 

[mtnbound]

Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are on reloading once fired brass. This would be brass that was not fired in my gun.
I found an online retailer that is selling once fire lapua brass for what I think is a good price. I have no clue how many different guns this brass was shot in though.
Is it worth taking a chance on buying a couple hundred? Or am I better off buying new at more than double the price?

I don't use any brass that I don't know the true history of; there's a reason it's cheaper. I really don't buy high-end brass; it's mostly Hornady and Starline. I get numerous reloads with either brass and have not had any major issues using them, and even if I do get a piece of brass that is difficult to reload, I don't fight it; I just pitch it.

 

[long hunter]

Have used once fired brass for re-loading a good bit,I am constantly checking it as I go through the brass prep process and never had a problem with it.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I don't use any brass that I don't know the true history of; there's a reason it's cheaper. I really don't buy high-end brass; it's mostly Hornady and Starline. I get numerous reloads with either brass and have not had any major issues using them, and even if I do get a piece of brass that is difficult to reload, I don't fight it; I just pitch it.

Basically this. The only fired brass I ever buy is .223 and 9mm, and on the VERY cheap, i.e. range brass. I will load it once and maybe twice if it is OK.

 

[Ramem7mm]

Probably not worth it. Buy new and keep track of the cycles. Anneal it and it will last. Reloading is about consistency and only way to be consistent is to do the same thing every time and once you find your recipe you should be getting the same the same results. If you all of a sudden start having problems with performance etc. you can trouble shoot issues quicker most likely based on what may have recently changed. Just what works for me.

Reloading has numerous nuances and double standards for everyone and every situation depending on what level of performance or results you want.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I would buy 1x fired premium brass, especially if it’s half the cost of new.

You’re going to run it through a full length sizing die anyway. You’ll probably have some culls but will still likely come out ahead $$.


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[Matt5266]

I agree with the Mike D Texas. I have shot quite a bit of range pickup. I always FL size. As said your probably going to have to pitch about 10% id think for one reason or another. So base your decision off that as well

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

The only issue you may run into is headspace differences. Make sure you have a shoulder comparator, FL size the 1x fired brass, and then compare each piece to a piece of fired brass from your rifle. Don't make the same mistake I made with 1x fired brass and FL size it all and just expect it to fit your chamber.

1. Determine your shoulder measurement from a fired piece from your gun and use that as your control.
2. FL size all your 1x fired brass, and measure the shoulder on each piece to confirm its equal or less than your fired brass measurement
3. Any piece that is beyond your fired brass spec. will need to be sized again with your die screwed down appropriately to get it in spec.
4. Using a small base die may negate the above process, but that I've never messed with that. Plus you have the one-time cost of another die.

Using unknown brass can add considerable time and tedium to the process, and you need to decide how much your time is worth and whether the discount for 1x fired vs. new is worth it.

 

[WoolyBugger]

I have two 6.5cm rifles and used once fired brass from one gun in the other, basically what @jjohnsonElknewbie said. As long as it is getting FL sized down to your correct dimension. Half price is tough to pass up

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Not really relevant to lapua brass but there are plenty of instances of other cheaper once fired brass that the primer pockets are toast from the factory loading. Had a friend intending to use some WSM factory ammo brass from brand X and pockets were shot.

Not saying it’ll happen in all instances but it can so be aware with once fired cheaper factory loaded brass.