How Abundant Should the Caution be?

[Dudedog]

I use the if in doubt throw it out. (well into the recycle can)

 

[fotheringill]

As to throwing it out, be aware that powder may be a good fertilizer. Just don't overdo it or you may wind up with a really dead bush. I know this for certain.

 

[SamT1]

I load them until they aren’t loadable, besides some magnums that get a little more inspection.
I don’t buy federals so loose primer pocket isn’t a very prevalent problem.

 

[Ironicaintit]

With bottlenecks, I throw out some brass at every point in the loading process. Usually it works out to about 10% that get culled.

With most, there is some positive indication that it's not sound anymore. Cracks, deep scratches, loose pockets, lousy neck tension, etc.

With others though, I just don't "like" them for whatever reason, so I toss them too. Brass is cheap, and piece of mind is invaluable.

 

[Scooter22]

I.m very picky if something isn't right. A piece of cheap brass holding 50,000 PSI more or less next to your face when you pull the trigger. Your call.

 

[hdwhit]

Walkalong wrote:
Wait for this to go on sale somewhere.

Looks neat and looks like it would probably be effective.

My sons have ARs that I gave them during the panic (when your wife says, we need to get each of them one before they can't be sold any more, you don't argue).

For me, I still rely on my venerable Mini-14 and I have never found a brass catcher for it that was worth installing.

 

[hdwhit]

ironicaintit wrote:
With others though, I just don't "like" them...

Yeah, I go with my gut when something doesn't "feel" right.

I can't always explain it rationally, but then I don't have to.

 

[hdwhit]

fotheringill wrote:
I understand the risk as balanced against the reward, i.e saving a quarter on a particular piece of brass.

When I was in my teens, I loaded cases (some of which I still have) that I wouldn't dream of reloading today and yet they all went bang and held together. I toss out cases that 40 year ago I would have loaded and I needed some feedback on whether I might have gone too far - or if I had just enjoyed a 40 year run of good luck and actually needed to get pickier.

 

[WestKentucky]

Use your ears as much as your eyes. Priming of the press... Tink tink tink thud....that thud is a cracked case. Use feel when seating the primers, resizing or seating a bulley and see if you feel a difference which indicates loose primer pocket or poor neck tension. About the only thing my eye does is identify shinier than normal rings indicating case head separation which then get confimed with a homemade pick down the case. I'm a brass rat, so anything not bolted down or claimed at the range comes to live with me. Yes it takes a bit more care to use "unknown" brass but with care it can be done safely.

 

[Walkalong]

For me, I still rely on my venerable Mini-14 and I have never found a brass catcher for it that was worth installing.

Years ago I had a long scope (Weaver 2x10) on my Mini 14 and made a brass deflector that used broom handle clamps to snap onto the scope. It deflected brass down and worked great. I'll post a pic when back home.

 

[hdwhit]

Walkalong wrote:
I'll post a pic when back home.

Thank you.

 

[Dudedog]

That's one nice thing about the MIni14, nice positive ejection, brass in the next county.
Broom handle deflector sounds interesting.