Brass question

[Saxon11]

I have about 20 new brass and over 200 brass that has been laying around my reloading table for several years. I was wondering if when working up new loads it would be ok to use some of the old brass? They are all winchester.
I wondered if it would make a difference if I weighed them all? regardless, I am unsure of how many times each has been reloaded and I am afraid this will just add another variable to the process.

 

[artbosco]

I have about 20 new brass and over 200 brass that has been laying around my reloading table for several years. I was wondering if when working up new loads it would be ok to use some of the old brass?

Regardless of manufacturer, I'd throw the old brass away EVEN if I knew it was formed in the same chamber I intended to use the new brass in.

Personally, I'd rather work up a load with new or relatively new brass. New brass isn't that expensive and your results won't be subjected to suspicion because you were wary to begin with.

 

[necchi]

Trouble with old brass of un-known fireing count is it can be just plain wore out and sometimes dangerous.
Each time it's sized it stetches, that stretch has to come from somewhere(?) and it's always from the head. It keeps getting thinner near the head until "Case Head Seperation" happens.
Another issue is if it's been fired ina gun with a worn chamber it could have expanded to the point or near the point of splitting either the neck or body. Either issue can cause damage to your gun at best and injure you or a by-stander at worst.
Here's a picture of case head seperation;

Your better off useing the new or known count brass that's reliable, "Range pick-up" can be a bad thing.

 

[fdshuster]

I certainly agree with the previous postings regarding old brass. I have a large supply of Lake City 67, 30-06 that I know to be once fired and use then regularly in my 03-A3 and 03-A4, but again I know their history. Would I ever use old brass of unknown number of loadings? No, just not worth the aggravation.

 

[people]

It really depends on what you want out of these loads.

 

[Saxon11]

Thanks guys! stopping by the store tmrw to pick up some new brass