| Posted: Tue Dec 9th, 2008 01:19 PM |
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SavageMOA
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First off, I want to thank everyone here who has helped me out over the past year. Earlier this year, I got tons of help and advice from the guys on this forum that has lead me to find this fantastic new hobby.
Here's my question. Since I recently started loading .38 special, I ordered a bunch of new brass so I can start my own ammo stockpile. Assuming the brass is once fired, and I keep my loads around standard pressure (since .38 special is a pretty low pressure round) , how long will these brass cases last?
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10th, 2008 02:59 AM |
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Charley
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.38 Special will last almost until you loose them, unless you size them excessively.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10th, 2008 03:56 AM |
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SavageMOA
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What do you mean size them excessively?
I just do the standard 4 step process when I reload them: Deprime/size, prime/powder, etc:
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11th, 2008 02:30 AM |
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Charley
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Some dies run a bit small, some chambers run a bit large I had a set of older RCBS .38/.357 dies that surely ran smal, could get about 5 reloads in a Ruger Security Six before I'd get split cases and cracked mouths. The set has long since been retired (It was steel!) and been replaced by carbide dies (Lee). Splits and cracking went away. Now I get 20+ loads from .38 Special cases.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11th, 2008 05:44 AM |
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SavageMOA
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I'm loading on a Dillon progressive with Dillon dies. Hopefully they won't be a problem.
One more question: Do I HAVE to tumble my brass? Is the only purpose of tumbling to make the brass "pretty"?
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11th, 2008 02:17 PM |
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Timberwolf
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Charley wrote: .38 Special will last almost until you loose them, unless you size them excessively.
Even at +P loadings they will last forever.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11th, 2008 04:00 PM |
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Trigger_Puller
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Do I HAVE to tumble my brass? Is the only purpose of tumbling to make the brass "pretty"?
No, you can wash them in a mild dish washing liquid and let them dry for at least 24 hours.
Tumbling or washing removes all of the gun powder residue and other contaminants, if not removed, that will collect inside of your dies which can damage both the dies and the brass.
Plus it does make them look pretty!
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11th, 2008 05:48 PM |
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SavageMOA
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Thanks for the heads up. I'd hate to damage those new-ish Dillon dies. Is there a way to clean the inside of the dies? I've been loading on a single stage and haven't been tumbling my brass. Can I get the dirt and grime off the inside of the dies I've been using?
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12th, 2008 03:45 AM |
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Rockydog
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Sure, Just use any good aeresol gun cleaner and blast the hell out of them. Remove seating and decapping stems and brush with a soft nylon brush if really gunky. Blast again. Drain on a paper towel. Lightly coat with an aeresol gun lube and store. Wipe any excess lube out before use and you should be good to go. RD
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12th, 2008 11:33 PM |
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miestro_jerry
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I have some 38 Spl brass that I bought in the late 1980s, that we reamed to length and it has last until now, except the pieces I lost some where.
If you load reasonably, brass can last a lifetime, except with my desire to blow big holes in G' Hog and 'Yote, I tend to push the limits with some of my rifle calibers, thus the brass has a limited life.
Jerry
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13th, 2008 05:40 PM |
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SavageMOA
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Well it looks like I'm in good shape then. I keep my loads fairly light for target shooting. I've got some .357 mag cases that will be for my "oh my Lord is that a .44?" loads.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15th, 2008 07:20 PM |
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jjb2
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i load and shoot .357 magnum and .38 spl exclusivly and i've never tossed a .38 spl case from wear... i have tossed several .357 mag brass cases from split mouths.. i'm thinkin i probably have enough .38 spl brass to last my lifetime..... the .38s are really loaded pretty mild with 3.0 grs. of bullseye under a cast 150 gr. swc...
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