.308 Lapua brass

[john1c]

How many times were you able to reload the same set of .308 Lapua brass? I'm on my 11th. Hope I'm not pushing my luck.

 

[DennisH]

I made it 20 on my last set, but I was pushing it big time!

 

[Longshooter70]

Are you annealing? If so, after how many firings do you anneal?

 

[spclark]

Annealing helps (I do mine every 2nd or 3rd firing) as does not loading to the max. I have a bunch of both 308 and Palma cases & tend not to reload any designated batch more than three times a season.

 

[john1c]

I don't anneal. But I do shoot in a match chamber and only bump the shoulder .002. So should I continue reloading these or should I retire these?

 

[liltank]

I don't anneal. But I do shoot in a match chamber and only bump the shoulder .002. So should I continue reloading these or should I retire these?

Run'em until they split or don't hold a primer. If you anneal, you are going to get endless use until they don't hold a primer. I am using Norma brass I bought 4yrs ago that have been annealed a half a dozen times or more with probably 30 loadings on them. They are still as accurate as the day they came out of the bag or box, can't remember. I am currently using RWS brass that has been annealed 3 or 4 times and have 15-20 loadings on them. No issues in accuracy. I can't afford replacing expensive brass every three firings or so. That is why I shoot until they crack, or primers don't stay in the pocket.

 

[KevinThomas]

John1c,

Actually, we normally expect to get 10 firings out of our cases, so long as normal (within industry pressure limits) loads are used and the brass isn't excessively worked during the resizing/loading process. You're probably using decent loads here, so I'd expect them to go a few more firings at least. For what it's worth, I've pushed them well over 20+ firings with no trouble whatsoever.

Keep at it, you're obviously doing fine!

 

[john1c]

Thanks all!

 

[DennisH]

@ Kevin . . . I am getting twice the firings you stated on any Lapua brass I use!!!! FYI

20+ firings on every caliper!

 

[lal357]

this came up with some guys at a f class match i shot at they said they buy new each season and get 5-7 out of them then toss them . they flipped when i told them i'm on around 17 Lapua and hornady match gonna try to anneal them for the first time before this next reloading (i bushing next size and only fl after 5 shootings). i think its according to how you load them i load for accuracy not speed if i group at 2400 fps then thats what i load.