Is R-P brass junk?

[Hairballusmaximus]

I have had them all split at some time or another. I havent bothered to track what brand splits most. I do know that I have only had a few brass 38's split compared to the nickel brass. The nickel cases mostly slpit at the mouth from the belling and crimping, but around 30% of the bad cases split down the side. I would say 50 to1 is my ratio of nickel vs brass for splitting/cracking. I am in agreement with ReloaderFred, and I think the nickel plated stuff work hardens at a faster rate than non-plated. I have also however had bad batches where stuff split during the first loading of new, unfired cases.

 

[GLShooter]

I load a lot of R-P stuff for my PPC ammo. I have used cases over and over again. Many at least 7-8 times I would guess. Never had a single one split in the case body. I have lost some from the case mouth splitting thanks to the belling process but that is it.

Greg

 

[Ala Dan]

Over the years, I've used thousands of R-P .38 Special cases, with NO problems~!