How many times can one reload 40 S&W cases?

[mballai]

I realize this a "loaded question", but I just want to be reasonably safe in terms of case replacement. I noticed that with my first case of factory 180 grain fmj ammo, some cases split first time out of the gun(HK P2000).

The best info I've gotten so far is that a case should reload three or four times, what do you all think.

Mike

 

[FieroCDSP]

I've had one case split after the first reload. Most of mine are still on the second, waiting to be fired, but I see no signs of deterioration on them yet. It really depends on what you're loading. Max loads will always stress a case more than a normal or light load. Most of my shooting is practice, so I use a light load, more suitable for plinking. I've had Winchester cases that were unusuable after the first firing of the factory load. They looked like the brass was stretched, and had lots of dimples that gave me the impression that the brass was excessively thin in those spots, so I scrapped them. There's no reason to take chances. Some guys have said they're on the 4th and 5th loading of 40S&W. For plinking loads, use as little flare and crimp as necessary, and keep your charges near the recommended starting loads, and your brass should last a while.

 

[TonyT]

I would be concerned about a gun that splits cases on new factory ammo - something is amiss! You should contact H&K.

As a matter of policy I only reload the high pressure handgun cartridges like 9mm and 40 S&W a maximum of 4 times. With low pressure cartridges like 38 special and 45 ACP I load until the case mouth frays or splits. I also do the same with 40 S&W low velocity handloads which I shot in my S&W 646. I have never had a case split on factory ammo in 40 S&W in either Sig 229, PO16-40, CZ-40 or S&W revolvers.

 

[Walkalong]

I would be concerned about a gun that splits cases on new factory ammo - something is amiss!

DITTO!

 

[FieroCDSP]

Oops, I missed that part. Yeah, definitely a concern. Call it in.

 

[rbernie]

I've got a bucket o' cases for 40S&W that have been reloaded at least a half dozen time and show no signs of split necks or other issues.

 

[Master Blaster]

Post a Pic of the split cases please,

What brand of ammo were you shooting??

This should not be happening and its not normal.
With reasonable loads and an in spec chamber on your gunyou should be able to reload a .40S&W 20 times. Just like any other brass case.

 

[Shoney]

I have 40S&W cases (Rem & Win) that have been loaded 10-12 times with light target loads. A few have split at various loadings, but there have been no problems except that they loose length with each loading. I put a very light bell on my cases, compared to a lot of reloader, and I think that this reduces shortening and increases case life. No scientific proof of that though.

 

[JDGray]

I like powders that give good velocity with lower pressures,like HS6. The less you bend the case, the longer it will last.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I don't shoot .40S&W, but my buddy does. He's getting about the same life out of them that I get out of .45ACP. In other words, he's shooting them until the headstamp wears off, then tossing them.

Dave

 

[ReloaderFred]

If you run out of .40 S&W brass, I've got about 140 pounds of mostly once fired in my shop. That's roughly 14,000 rounds, so if you need some, let me know.

Fred

 

[mballai]

The brand of the hot ammo is Independence.

 

[TooTaxed]

As SHONY notes, case life is primarily dependent upon repeated high pressure loadings and amount the case mouth is belled before seating the bullets.

Belling stresses the case mouths, and again when the bell is closed by crimping, and that's why case mouths split...over-working. Harder nickel cases split sooner than brass. However, belling is primarily necessary for lead or plated bullets...many jacketed bullets have rounded bases that require very slight or no belling.

I load mostly low to medium velocity ammo for range use...a box or two of "high-tilt boogie" stuff is reserved for "business" use. So, I very rarely encounter splits, though some of my cases have been reloaded between a dozen and twenty times. I do carefully inspect each piece of brass for oversize primer pockets and mouth splits, and make random checks for case length, though I've not found case trimming to be necessary for pistol cases.

 

[roc1]

Relaoder Fred I lose a lot of 40 brass.How much do you want for some of it.
Thanks
roc1

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'm on my 5th loading of 40 S&W Fiocchi brass, no problems yet. I'm pretty impressed with this brass, seems to be very durable.

 

[ReloaderFred]

roc1,

It's $20.00 per thousand, and I can get 2,500 rounds into a USPS flat rate box, which is $8.10 to ship anywhere in the U. S.. I've sold some of it and it's going out in the morning. I'll be gone for a week, starting Tuesday, but will be back on Feb. 22nd.

Fred

 

[kludge]

mballai,

I got some once fired brass that was purported to be from the Magtech factory (I have no reason to doubt this). About 10% of the brass was *I*.

It was notably softer (or thinner) than the CBC brass, as resizing required about half the effort, so that may be something to keep in mind with your split case.

I have separated the brass to see if one last longer than the other, but with the amount of brass I have and as much as I shoot, that could take a loooong time for me.

 

[Deavis]

Until the Range Monster eats it or it sounds funny when it hits the ground. The former usually claims most of mine despite the fact that I have a net dedicated to the purpose of keeping that from happening.