Yes I could that’s why I blew them up to have a better look. Won’t do that again. Lmao.
3rd fired brass
- Thread starter Hurst1324
- Start date
Thanks guys. I am going to just use my eye and maybe a magnify glass from now on. I used that microscope on new brass and I could see lines in new brass as well. Like others here have stated blow up anything you will see imperfections. Thanks for all your time. I am here to learn and listen. I did throw them in the brass bucket just to be safe till I get a trained eye.
Toss them brass is cheaper than eyes or gun parts .
LOL,,, every thing that JMayo said in post #7. I bought this off of eBay 2 weeks ago and I'm rather impressed for what they cost. With the brass cases you will never need anything more powerful than a 10X or 15X Photographer's Loupe or Magnifying glass. Anything else will be counter productive and confuse the heck out of you. With these Watch Repair Magnifiers I have 10x & 15X set up on the frame. There are better ones out there. I bought these just to see if I would like this kind of set up. I must say for the money, they work great. Next time I will buy a more professional set. Keep in mind that you have to have the case right at the lens to focus. This is only for a visual inspection of the case up close.
Jewelry Loupe Coins collection Magnifier magnifying Glasses LED Lens 20X 25X | eBay
If you are trying to check for cracks in the case body or neck go to Harbor Freight and buy you a set of these. I use the one in the middle to check 223 on up to 7mm. I use, to use a big diaper safety pin with a hook bent in the end of it. It worked great for a many of years. I hope this helps.
Test Probe Set, 5 Pc. (harborfreight.com)
Thanks uncle ED as I said I am fairly new to reloading, was always told to ask if not sure that’s why I am here. To learn. What gets me is you took the time to do that to make me look like a ass. I am cool with it though if that’s what made your day.I'm going to throw this RCBS expander away, look at all those rough marks. What's strange is before I took the closeup macro photo of this expander I thought it looked OK.
Awesome thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.LOL,,, every thing that JMayo said in post #7. I bought this off of eBay 2 weeks ago and I'm rather impressed for what they cost. With the brass cases you will never need anything more powerful than a 10X or 15X Photographer's Loupe or Magnifying glass. Anything else will be counter productive and confuse the heck out of you. With these Watch Repair Magnifiers I have 10x & 15X set up on the frame. There are better ones out there. I bought these just to see if I would like this kind of set up. I must say for the money, they work great. Next time I will buy a more professional set. Keep in mind that you have to have the case right at the lens to focus. This is only for a visual inspection of the case up close.
Jewelry Loupe Coins collection Magnifier magnifying Glasses LED Lens 20X 25X | eBay
View attachment 1234016
If you are trying to check for cracks in the case body or neck go to Harbor Freight and buy you a set of these. I use the one in the middle to check 223 on up to 7mm. I use, to use a big diaper safety pin with a hook bent in the end of it. It worked great for a many of years. I hope this helps.
Test Probe Set, 5 Pc. (harborfreight.com)
View attachment 1234019
Yes all I have to anneal with is blow torch. Still trying it on a few junk cases to get the right anneal. Also do you throw yours in water afterwards ?
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
No use investing in a Annealing Machine when you're just starting out. Time enough down the road to spend more of your $$$$ on a piece of equipment that you will use only a few times they watch it take up room and collect dust on or under the bench.
A torch and used brass will teach you real fast and it won't cost you an arm and a leg to learn either. No water dump. I tip mine over in an empty pan till they cool. All the water dip will do is make them wet.
Cordless drill, deep socket stuffed with steel wool so the case sticks out to where you want it, Propane torch (I use Mapp Gas cause it burns hotter and takes the case less in the flame) in a darkened room so you can see the case color change. Kitchen counter with the shutters closed works like a champ. Slow count to 5 or 6 gets me right where I want to be and when I'am done, I've still got a propane torch and a cordless drill to use when needed.
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. I am using cordless drill also just didn’t know how long and what to look for when annealed properly. I’ll try it in a darkened room. I have lots of mixed fired brass I got from a old fella to practice on.No use investing in a Annealing Machine when you're just starting out. Time enough down the road to spend more of your $$$$ on a piece of equipment that you will use only a few times they watch it take up room and collect dust on or under the bench.
A torch and used brass will teach you real fast and it won't cost you an arm and a leg to learn either. No water dump. I tip mine over in an empty pan till they cool. All the water dip will do is make them wet.
Cordless drill, deep socket stuffed with steel wool so the case sticks out to where you want it, Propane torch (I use Mapp Gas cause it burns hotter and takes the case less in the flame) in a darkened room so you can see the case color change. Kitchen counter with the shutters closed works like a champ. Slow count to 5 or 6 gets me right where I want to be and when I'am done, I've still got a propane torch and a cordless drill to use when needed.
It was not my intent to make anyone look like an ass, my point was you can magnify anything and find defects. I'm 70 years old and have been reloading for a very long time and have never used a microscope to look at any cartridge case.
Below makes me almost cry, its a borescope photo of a new button rifled Savage barrel.
Below a custom made hand lapped barrel.
Speaking of a anus orifice I'm also glad I'm asleep during all my colonoscopies and don't get to see what the Doctors see.
Retired Grunt
F Open Shooter
I had the Dr's and Nurses laughing when as they started the anesthesia, Butt I singed up for the written test.It was not my intent to make anyone look like an ass, my point was you can magnify anything and find defects. I'm 70 years old and have been reloading for a very long time and have never used a microscope to look at any cartridge case.
Below makes me almost cry, its a borescope photo of a new button rifled Savage barrel.
Below a custom made hand lapped barrel.
Speaking of a anus orifice I'm also glad I'm asleep during all my colonoscopies and don't get to see what the Doctors see.
Ok my apologize I took your reply the wrong way. I know I got overly picky I do know now not to use a micro scope. About the colonoscopy just think of the poor SOB that is next in line that is getting a upper endoscopy.It was not my intent to make anyone look like an ass, my point was you can magnify anything and find defects. I'm 70 years old and have been reloading for a very long time and have never used a microscope to look at any cartridge case.
Below makes me almost cry, its a borescope photo of a new button rifled Savage barrel.
Below a custom made hand lapped barrel.
Speaking of a anus orifice I'm also glad I'm asleep during all my colonoscopies and don't get to see what the Doctors see.
Do you know what a Italian calls a colonoscopy......................................a innuendo!
Hurst 1324
I've been reloading for 30 years and never used heat on my brass
(annealing) . If you don't have the right equipment you can do more harm the good . I load pretty mild for benchrest shooting , ranges in my area are 200 max. I'm sighted in at 200 and that's the only distance I shoot. I can get 20 reloads on my cases do to mild loads and .002 in case sizing. Instead of getting into using head I dump the brass after my shooting season. I only shoot in temps 50 and above. ,Some years can shoot 8 months , getting soft in my older years. I shoot 30 rounds per range trip shooting 308 . I use 90 cases per season rotating 30 cases each week. I use the same case brand . Works for me. You will find your own system but getting into annealing your brass in the beginning of reloading is alot. I also changed after 25 years of using dry media to wet tumbling with Stainless Steel Pins and dish detergent , Ii didn't like the built up carbon in the case , now every time I size I feel it's reloading new brass , shiny inside and out , also keeps the dies in good shape , easier to see those imperfections. Don't want to sound like a know it all but only giving food for thought and what worked for me. Go one step at a time , the group size will tell you what's working on your reloads , you'll always try to tweak things to make it better , that can drive you crazy. If you can shoot that 5 shot 1 hole group the go for it , most can shoot a tight group , that's fun. 1 hole will drive you nuts believe me . Been there now I'm back to enjoying shooting tight groups. I see you try to answer every post , I try also. Keep up the good work and always ask for advice when needed.Be Safe.
Chris
I've been reloading for 30 years and never used heat on my brass
(annealing) . If you don't have the right equipment you can do more harm the good . I load pretty mild for benchrest shooting , ranges in my area are 200 max. I'm sighted in at 200 and that's the only distance I shoot. I can get 20 reloads on my cases do to mild loads and .002 in case sizing. Instead of getting into using head I dump the brass after my shooting season. I only shoot in temps 50 and above. ,Some years can shoot 8 months , getting soft in my older years. I shoot 30 rounds per range trip shooting 308 . I use 90 cases per season rotating 30 cases each week. I use the same case brand . Works for me. You will find your own system but getting into annealing your brass in the beginning of reloading is alot. I also changed after 25 years of using dry media to wet tumbling with Stainless Steel Pins and dish detergent , Ii didn't like the built up carbon in the case , now every time I size I feel it's reloading new brass , shiny inside and out , also keeps the dies in good shape , easier to see those imperfections. Don't want to sound like a know it all but only giving food for thought and what worked for me. Go one step at a time , the group size will tell you what's working on your reloads , you'll always try to tweak things to make it better , that can drive you crazy. If you can shoot that 5 shot 1 hole group the go for it , most can shoot a tight group , that's fun. 1 hole will drive you nuts believe me . Been there now I'm back to enjoying shooting tight groups. I see you try to answer every post , I try also. Keep up the good work and always ask for advice when needed.Be Safe.
Chris
And...the proper way to "shit can" them would be to use your pliers to crimp the case neck tightly together, so that someone does not mistakenly reload them.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.