reload question: What causes this...

[alnitak]

...and can I reload these cases?



I picked up a bunch of range brass and about half the cases have some sort of indentation in the cartridge. On most, it's about halfway down the case, though some have it higher or lower. BTW, this picture is after sizing.

Is this from hitting the ejector port? Can I reload these safely? Will they "fire form" and get rid of the crease/dent after firing, or will they be more prone to splitting?

[TedH]

They're just roughed up a bit getting spit out of the pistol they were shot in. They will be fine to reload and shoot.

[claybob86]

I've reloaded dented cases with no troubles. Kind of hard to tell exactly how sharp those creases in yours are from the photo. Looks like an on-site judgment call to me as to whether they'd be prone to crack or split. How do they look on the inside?

[Hobie]

I would use them without hesitation. They struck the ejection port on the way out.

[damienph]

Heck yeah, I've used worse than that.

[Griff]

...and can I reload these cases?

I picked up a bunch of range brass and about half the cases have some sort of indentation in the cartridge. On most, it's about halfway down the case, though some have it higher or lower. BTW, this picture is after sizing.
Is this from hitting the ejector port? Can I reload these safely? Will they "fire form" and get rid of the crease/dent after firing, or will they be more prone to splitting?

Short answer: Yes.

Yes, that dent is from hitting the ejection port. Quite common, and unlikely to be a problem. It has to do with both the size & shape of the ejection port, combined with the speed of the action. Mine are almost all dented. Don'ta worry 'boutit! (Use your best Italian accent when you read that)!

I will say, that photo looks like you might have just a bit more bell in those case mouths than needed. Are you loading on a single stage or progressive?

[alnitak]

Thanks guys...I figured that was the case. Just getting into reloading for.45acp, and haven't seen this before with the 9mm and revolver cartridges I've been reloading.

[alnitak]

I will say, that photo looks like you might have just a bit more bell in those case mouths than needed. Are you loading on a single stage or progressive?

Griff...it's an illusion from the photo (low angle?) and reflection/light. These cases have only been deprimed/sized...no belling yet. Still have to clean primer pockets and prime before using the expander die/Lee autodisk powder dropper in one step. I understand that with .45 acp you want minimal belling at the mouth, right? And, I use a single stage press, but I understand how it could happen with a progressive.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[Griff]

I will say, that photo looks like you might have just a bit more bell in those case mouths than needed. Are you loading on a single stage or progressive?

Griff...it's an illusion from the photo (low angle?) and reflection/light. These cases have only been deprimed/sized...no belling yet. Still have to clean primer pockets and prime before using the expander die/Lee autodisk powder dropper in one step. I understand that with .45 acp you want minimal belling at the mouth, right? And, I use a single stage press, but I understand how it could happen with a progressive.
Thanks for pointing that out.

Sounds like you got it under control then. I wan't sure if it was an illusion, and if not, thought it worth mentioning. To great a bell makes it just that much harder to get the right taper back into the crimp, and thus, easy chambering.

[alnitak]

I wasn't sure if it was an illusion, and if not, thought it worth mentioning. To great a bell makes it just that much harder to get the right taper back into the crimp, and thus, easy chambering.

Absolutely worth mentioning. I'm finding the .45acp to be a bit different from 9mm/revolver cartridges in some respects, and have learned things like the "plunk test" and to measure the case at the crimp to ensure proper functioning (.468-.472...aiming for .470). Seems like 9mm is more forgiving in OAL and revolver/leverguns in crimp (generally use a med-hard there). Then there's the wrong data on Hodgdon/IMR site for OAL (1.200" vs. correct 1.250" or thereabouts for LRN). So, taking things slow and one step at a time.

[M. M. Wright]

Those cases are a perfect illustration why a properly set-up 1911 will have the ejection port lowered and dimpled. Helps preserve the brass.