Size junk brass immediatly

[MnMike]

I just had a bad day reloading. I was working up some loads for my .243 Handi Rifle and found I was short a quite a few cases. I looked around and thought I found them. What I found was some junk cases a friend had given me.

I don't full length resize. I neck sized all the cases. I put my first load in the gun and it stuck. The Handi does not have strong ejection. I had to get out the cleaning rod and poke the round out. It ruined that load. I then had to stick each case in the gun and force 1/3 of them out with the rod. I then had to take the pin out of my full length die and resize those primed cases.

From now on I will refuse junk brass, or at least resize it before putting it away with my reloading stuff.

mike

[bigjeepman]

I used to consider new brass a fairly inexpensive investment in the reloading process ... it is expensive now with the newest price increases. I still "will not" use brass other than what I bought or my brother gave to me. I know people pick up brass at the range and use it but I have never been able to make myself do that not knowing how many times fired, too many different brands, etc. I always say " to each his own " ... and I certainly do not intend to be critical of those that do.

[Almtnman]

From now on I will refuse junk brass, or at least resize it before putting it away with my reloading stuff.

mike

Mike, I have found that different rifles have different size chambers and it is always best to full length resize when using brass that was used in another rifle. I have two 30-06's, one a Sako and one a Ruger. If I neck size for the Sako, the brass will not fit in the Ruger. So I have to keep all my 30-06 loads separate and marked as I can't interchange ammo from one rifle to the other when neck sizing. If I full length resized, the ammo will work in both rifles, but I'm into the small group stuff when working up loads, so just keep it separate.

Use that brass if it checks out as good, but full length resize first and then neck size afterwards. Bad brass will have a ring around it at the bottom and if in still in doubt you can check the inside for stretching by using a paper clip with a small hook on the end.

[beemanbeme]

Don't pick on the brass 'cause you made a mistake.  Always F/L resize brass that has been fired in another rifle. (I know, I know, I'm preaching to the choir now  ) As far as range pick ups go, I'm on 'em like a chicken hawk.  A case that has been reloaded several times takes on a "tired" look that 1x brass doesn't have.  Of course you want to cull over them once you're back in the shop. 

[Badnews Bob]

.243 Handie rifles don't like neck size only, I tried it with mine and it wanted to stick alot, full lenght sizing fixed that. You could try and polish the chamber I've read that can help. I had some trouble getting mine to be consistant so I sold it and I'm going to buy a new bull barrel from nef the reports on them are much better. BTW I use a lot of range brass, Never had a problem, I always full resize first time thou.

[bigjeepman]

All good points guys. Please understand that I am not against used brass from the range ... it is just something I don't do.

I tried neck sizing my .223 brass for my Handi's and it didn't help accuracy at all like it does in my bolt actions ... so I only full length size now for my Handi's. Someone on this site told me this a long, long time ago but I wanted to try it once anyway.

[fastbike]

FWIW, I have a Ultra Varmint .223 and I have been very happy with the accuracy and consistency. I've been using Federal American Eagle and Remington UMC, both in 55 gr FMJ with no problems. Have not gone through any reloads yet.

.243 Handie rifles don't like neck size only, I tried it with mine and it wanted to stick alot, full lenght sizing fixed that. You could try and polish the chamber I've read that can help. I had some trouble getting mine to be consistant so I sold it and I'm going to buy a new bull barrel from nef the reports on them are much better. BTW I use a lot of range brass, Never had a problem, I always full resize first time thou.

[MnMike]

You guys are preaching to the choir. I normally use only brass fired in my gun. A friend gave me a bunch of brass and I threw it in a box with no intention of using it. I'm a pack rat. I used it because I assumed that because the brand was right, it was my missing cases.

I wrote the post, because my stupidity might help someone else.

BTW my Handi is happier with neck sized brass, I have had no problem with it (as long as it was fired from my gun).

thanks for the replies,
mike