When they show signs of fatigue? When they fail? Or after a certain number of loads?

My revolver loads are loaded somewhere between minimum and mid range, so I just pay attention to case wear.

My 45 auto loads are loaded so as to ensure reliable function in the gun. My most recent 45 loads (200 grain SWC w/5 grains Unique) wouldn't cycle my 220ST and created some jams in my Combat Commander. So now I've loaded some with 6 grains Unique. Since I'm loading them closer to factory specs, I'm thinking maybe I should just discard them after 'X' number of loads?

What say ye?

If the sides ain't broke I just keep loading them.Heck I got some Speer lawman cases that are beat all to hell on the head but they still work.
I usually take the most beat up ones to the sig shoot and dont pick em up,old U know who grabs all the brass anyway

I didn't see the first Winchester in the gobs I grabbed.

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:


I didn't see the first Winchester in the gobs I grabbed.

I did not think you were case sensitive
You mean you are starting to listen to me and start assorting cases.
Now I can work on that power charge thing.

What?
If most of them pop out down range then what's the problem?

You young fellas have to pay more attention
Good is ok but we want to strive for excellence.

Aw perfect is the enemy of good enough.

Wait so that smell at the range is just SC's 45 loads, I thought the field mice just had really bad flatulence...

Paying attention to case wear, splits, and primer pockets will help minimize your risks. These days my .45 ACP brass will go and go and probably be lost before you couldn't reload it again. My 9mm and .40S&W are not as lucky. I find I may toss about 5% each shooting session and once they get to reload #5 I toss them in my scrap bucket and start over.

A Z I have not experanced but probably a halve dozen splits in several years.
I run the Beretta 92 and the X/D in forty also..
The apc was the only splits I have had,and I don't keep track of firing's
I do think that there would be a problem with early glocks,with their non supported chambering s.
When I pick up brass there is a few I steer away from though.I do pass those along to the less fortunate ,I clean them first also.

I've got 45acp over 5.4gr W231 that have been fired 6 times and they still look good and clean up nice. I do keep them sorted by lot.

Just starting on 9mm so I'll let you know.

-Brian

With high pressure cases such as 40 S&W and 9mm I discard the brass after the fourth reload. With low pressure aamo such as 38 Special and 45 ACP i sue the brass until the mouth start to fray or the cases split.