Theory

[1911WB]

After years of using mostly Win brass I have recently begun to use R&P. I find the R&P brass to be softer (more maleable) than Win. So I have a theory that the R&P will withstand the reloading process better over a period of time than Win. Anyone have any comments?

 

[Car Knocker]

Depending on caliber, Rem brass is also thinner so that might negate any benefit from increased malleability.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Brass durability

1911—You'll have to keep careful records, load and shoot and reload a large number of each kind of brass to destruction, in a number of different calibers, and let us know the results in 10 yrs. or so. Then you can write a book on the subject, because you'll be an authority.

 

[kimbernut]

R-P Brass

1911WB, I've only been active on this site since Nov.2003 and reloading only about 5 years but in my limited experience and the general consensus seems to be that R-P brass is at the bottom of the preference list. I still use R-P brass but very carefully. I've had one lot of new R-P brass in particular and a few instances where even with adjustments to crimp I could not get enough neck tension on the bullet to keep the bullet from sliding back into the case with light pressure,which would of course spike your pressure to a very dangerous level. Primer pockets also tend to loosen up more quickly with R-P brass IMO.

Welcome to The High Road,1911WB. Lot of good folks here. Good Luck and Good Shooting!

 

[Car Knocker]

Kimbernut,

Because brass has greater "springiness" than brass, adjusting the crimp will not do anything to increase neck tension on thin-walled brass. It just swages the bullet to a smaller diameter within the case. The only solution is to use an undersize sizing die on this brass to approximate the sizing that takes place in thicker-walled brass. This, of course, would require sorting if one wanted similar neck tension in the two case types without excessively working thick case walls with the expander. I'm not sure that excessive work-hardening would be really much of a problem with low-pressure handgun rounds.

My current standard sizing dies sufficiently size all cases such that there isn't a set-back problem. In my experience, the "premium" dies sets, such as Hornady or Redding, tend to hold to the tighter end of allowable tolerance and thus, in general, are more likely to size smaller than other dies. YMMV.

 

[kimbernut]

R-P brass

"It just swages the bullet to a smaller diameter within the case. The only solution is to use an undersize sizing die on this brass to approximate the sizing that takes place in thicker-walled brass."Car Knocker

Through much experimentation with the crimp during my first encounter of this with R-P brass I determined you are right but my RCBS die has worked well with every other brand of brass I have used. Mind you this is not a frequent occurance with the R-P* brass but I will test for set-back on all R-P cases and any found will be simply taken apart and cases pinched shut with pliers and discarded.

* Some people will deem one occurance as too many and will avoid reloading with this brass altogether. Have you mic'ed the Redding or Hornady dies to see just how much difference there is?I'd be interested in knowing if you get the chance. Thanks,CK. Don