Just got about 500 .357 mag casings. They look like pick ups from the range. Some casings have little dents in the side of them. Not holes, just little indentations. I assume that this is from being stepped on at the range. Is it OK to reload these? Will the dents cause me any problems during reloading or firing? Thanks in advance. You guys are always so patient with us greenhorns.

Deuce

I'd run it all through a tumbler, throw out any cracked or split cases, then sort by headstamp. Trim if needed..... dang, that's a lot of cases!

If it's for light target loads, the different headstamps will probably be no problem.

Once you get past the initial inspection (make sure none of them have mud, dead bugs, etc. in them) you should be good to go.

Range scrap would not be my first choice for full-power loads, though.

I'd run it all through a tumbler, throw out any cracked or split cases, then sort by headstamp. Trim if needed..... dang, that's a lot of cases!

If it's for light target loads, the different headstamps will probably be no problem.

Once you get past the initial inspection (make sure none of them have mud, dead bugs, etc. in them) you should be good to go.

Range scrap would not be my first choice for full-power loads, though.

Mike:

It is just for plinking loads. This will be my first batch of handloaded ammo. Nothing hot, just target loads. Tumbler is on the way. Ordered it today. I am depriming first. Then I was going to tumble. Does that make sense?

Deuce

If depriming first, then tumbling, make sure, before loading your cases, that no polishing media is stuck in the flash-holes in your brass! This is a sure non-fire way get frustration.

Enjoy your new hobby.... you won't save a single dime by handloading..... BUT you'll shoot a WHOLE LOT MORE for the same $$. :cool:

God Bless,

I always tumble then deprime, for the reason that Marshall stated, and I find that tumbling doesn't make much of a difference in the primer pocket being clean, anyway.

Like wise for me too. Tumble, then deprime. I think it helps keep your dies clean too. My tumbler, just spent three days in continuous operation. I cleaned up all my brass, sorted my headstamp and times reloaded. bagged the stuff, and have it stowed. Several thousand cases for different cartridges. I'm going to keep on top of it from now on and not let it get out of hand... yeah, right!

I always tumble then deprime, for the reason that Marshall stated, and I find that tumbling doesn't make much of a difference in the primer pocket being clean, anyway.

Marshall/Mike:

That is good to know. I've already started to deprime but I think I will hold off. Thanks for the good info.

Deuce

Like wise for me too. Tumble, then deprime. I think it helps keep your dies clean too. My tumbler, just spent three days in continuous operation. I cleaned up all my brass, sorted my headstamp and times reloaded. bagged the stuff, and have it stowed. Several thousand cases for different cartridges. I'm going to keep on top of it from now on and not let it get out of hand... yeah, right!

Ranchdog:

I think I was replying at the same time you were. Thanks for the info. I wondered about seperating them by headstamp.
Now I know.

Deuce

Hi Deuce,
I don't load full-house loads in any brass I didn't buy new. However, I have some 3000 38 Spl. cases that I've picked up along the way. I use these for practice/plinking loads. I'll admit to the heresy of not trimming them all to the same length and not sorting them by headstamp. Between my wife, kids, father-in-law, and myself these have had a good workout. No probs. Same goes for the several thousand 45ACP cases I have. I do look for split mouths, fading headstamps, and dents. Any time I am loading for serious practice or a training course I reach for new/once-fired brass that's had the full treatment.
Good shooting,
HP

Last weekend i took a trip to the local mountains to do a little target shooting as the weather was quite nice...i get up there and hear someone with a full auto of sort just going absolutly nutz for nearly 2 hours straight. I ended up finding the area they were at and was quite surprized to find that they didnt pick up ANY of their brass after they left. Thinking it was probably cheap steel cased ammo, i almost kept going but something told me to stop so i walked up and saw the most beautiful, golden sight ever(at least from my stand point)...a SEA of 9mm winchester brass. Took me the better part of the afternoon to pick it all up but i managed to snag around 100 pounds(thats right lbs, not rounds!) of 9mm brass!! :D All of it is in REALLY good condition and ive had my tumbler going non stop since sunday night...ive got the better part of it done and if anyone wants some, there will be alot of it on ebay in 1000 round boxfulls. Funny, cuz normall when i pick up brass, its a peice here, a peice there...i was literally scooping it off the ground in handfulls.

Last weekend i took a trip to the local mountains to do a little target shooting as the weather was quite nice...i get up there and hear someone with a full auto of sort just going absolutly nutz for nearly 2 hours straight. I ended up finding the area they were at and was quite surprized to find that they didnt pick up ANY of their brass after they left. Thinking it was probably cheap steel cased ammo, i almost kept going but something told me to stop so i walked up and saw the most beautiful, golden sight ever(at least from my stand point)...a SEA of 9mm winchester brass. Took me the better part of the afternoon to pick it all up but i managed to snag around 100 pounds(thats right lbs, not rounds!) of 9mm brass!! :D All of it is in REALLY good condition and ive had my tumbler going non stop since sunday night...ive got the better part of it done and if anyone wants some, there will be alot of it on ebay in 1000 round boxfulls. Funny, cuz normall when i pick up brass, its a peice here, a peice there...i was literally scooping it off the ground in handfulls.

Jeffro:

Looks like you found a "POT O GOLD".

Deuce