Cheap Shot

[ReLoadR2006]

I reload 25,000 rounds a year of 32 H&R, 38 Special, 44 Special and 45 Long Colt. I buy my brass from Starline and sometimes get up to 9 reloads per case. I am trying to keep my reloading cost to a minimum. Is anyone having better luck with their brass? Let me hear some success stories.

Please note typo in original message. It's 9 not 90. Sorry for the mix up.

[Rocky Raab]

Nope, that might be a world record for brass usage. You surely are loading mild loads and taking great care to not overwork your cases - especially at the case mouth. My admiration for a fellow penny-pincher abounds!

Oh, and by the way...

[Gil Martin]

I agree with Rocky. Sounds like you have a system or a secret to get up to 90 reloads from cases. All the best...
Gil

[Riposte1]

I usually lose my brass before I can load it 9 times. Of course I shoot mostly autos.

Considering the wear and tear of roll crimping revolver brass, 9 times sounds pretty good. I knew a guy once who was so frugal (not to say cheap :-) ) that he kept cutting back his .44 brass in increments as they split at the front (and kept the segregted as to length so he could set the dies up for each lot).

Now there is a guy who is well organized but I think he probably had too much time on his hands.

Riposte

[Jack]

It's usually the case mouth belling and crimping that kills pistol cases- they crack at the mouth.
I've had some 38 Special cases I use for wadcutter loads go 20 times before cracking. The secret there is bell the case mouth as little as possible and use a taper crimp rather than a roll crimp- and a gentle crimp.
Loads that generate a bit more recoil need more crimp, and they won't last as long.