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What happens to brass after firing (Read 431 times)

Babydriver Junior Member Offline Posts: 86 Joined: Mar 22^nd, 2024	What happens to brass after firing Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:38pm	Print Post
	What happens do the case mouth after firing a round? I’ve noticed that some need to be resized so the bullet doesn’t just drop to the bottom but with others it’s just as tight as when I seated the bullet.


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16859 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #1 - Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:42pm	Print Post
	Babydriver wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:38pm: What happens do the case mouth after firing a round? I’ve noticed that some need to be resized so the bullet doesn’t just drop to the bottom but with others it’s just as tight as when I seated the bullet. It really depends on the gun's chamber. If you don't full length resize after each firing then the bullets will usually fit the same each time you reload. If you full length resize and the chamber is on the large size then your brass will also change a lot. And your brass wont last as long if worked after each firing.

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texasmac Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1996 Location: Central Texas Joined: Aug 16^th, 2004	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #2 - Jun 24^th, 2025 at 7:18pm	Print Post
	What Marlinguy said + it also depends on how long it's been since the case neck has been annealed. Wayne


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rgchristensen Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1148 Joined: Jan 2^nd, 2014	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #3 - Jun 24^th, 2025 at 7:39pm	Print Post
	Babydriver wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:38pm: What happens do the case mouth after firing a round? I’ve noticed that some need to be resized so the bullet doesn’t just drop to the bottom but with others it’s just as tight as when I seated the bullet. If we are talking about the same rifle every time, then your cases are of various sizes or brands or hardnesses. My own preference is to have the bullets just be a nice fit in the fired case, so as not to have to size the cases at all.. This situation gives the best accuracy and longest (nearly infinite) case life. It may take some machining of the case necks and the adoption of a larger bullet to achieve this. Every gun-tinker ought to have at least a small lathe to use for case modification. CHRIS


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calledflyer Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3720 Joined: Mar 9^th, 2015	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #4 - Jun 24^th, 2025 at 8:33pm	Print Post
	Every single thing here CAN happen- but there is so much more to the story. Case thickness, amount of hardening, size of chamber, size of bullet loaded, even a possibility of different brass alloys. No end to the combinations that are able to be encountered. And the single best hedge against most or all of it happening is a good loading manual. If you haven't bought one (or more), do so. If you have one read it over again. If you have these things happen a bit of knowledge will help to resolve the issue, and if you haven't yet had the experience, that knowledge may keep difficulty at bay. The guys here will help, but knowing as much as you can on your own is worthwhile and rewarding. End of rant and good luck


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Babydriver Junior Member Offline Posts: 86 Joined: Mar 22^nd, 2024	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #5 - Jun 24^th, 2025 at 9:01pm	Print Post
	Thanks to all of the enlightened replies.


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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 167 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #6 - Jun 25^th, 2025 at 12:21pm	Print Post
	Sage advice from all... I guess the following depends on whether someone is shooting 'Minute of Varmint" or Minute of Angle" Because I read more than I shoot I take advice from the rest. One bit of advice that makes sense to me is to buy a new bag (50) of brass for each rifle. Keep that brass separate for just that rifle. Anneal then fire-form then trim to fit. Fire Form First as the case length will shrink after fire forming. (my experience) Harold Vaughn (Rifle Accuracy Facts', author), I believe also mentioned indexing each case. As Marlin guy said" "It really depends on the gun's chamber." I have experimented with a couple of 45-70's One shot better with neck size only and a taper crimp and one shot better with full length sizing each time. With respect to the case mouth after firing, which I think was your original question, Marlin guy said it best. rgchristensen wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 7:39pm: Babydriver wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:38pm: What happens do the case mouth after firing a round? I’ve noticed that some need to be resized so the bullet doesn’t just drop to the bottom but with others it’s just as tight as when I seated the bullet. If we are talking about the same rifle every time, then your cases are of various sizes or brands or hardnesses. My own preference is to have the bullets just be a nice fit in the fired case, so as not to have to size the cases at all.. This situation gives the best accuracy and longest (nearly infinite) case life. It may take some machining of the case necks and the adoption of a larger bullet to achieve this. Every gun-tinker ought to have at least a small lathe to use for case modification. CHRIS


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Cat_Whisperer Frequent Elocutionist Offline No 1, 9.3x74R Posts: 3940 Location: Mountains of Virginia Joined: Apr 17^th, 2004	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #7 - Jun 25^th, 2025 at 2:43pm	Print Post
	Babydriver wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 4:38pm: What happens do the case mouth after firing a round? I’ve noticed that some need to be resized so the bullet doesn’t just drop to the bottom but with others it’s just as tight as when I seated the bullet. Uniformity (of ..... ) is the key to reducing variability (of results). Same gun, same chamber? Same brand of brass (perhaps lot or vintage). Uniformity of wall thickness and same wall thickness among all the rounds. Some folks will outside neck-turn to ensure uniformity. HARDNESS of the brass - it will expand and contract hardening the brass. So, how many times the rounds have been fired affects it. Also, light and heavy charges affect brass hardness's differently. What the brass alloy is, therefore, use a lot of ONE brand. Some folks log each batch of brass to how many times they've been fired. Routinely/periodically annealing and trimming is done.

	Cat Whisperer (trk) Chief of Smoke Pulaski Coehorn Works and Skunk Works Drafted May 1970, Retired Maj. U.S.Army assra #9885
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bnice Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1894 Location: Iowa Joined: Nov 30^th, 2006	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #8 - Jun 25^th, 2025 at 5:14pm	Print Post
	I agree with RJ. I never mix different lots of brass. I anneal usually once a year. I swage the mouth of my cases to assure sealing. Trim but not often since breech seating.


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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 167 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: What happens to brass after firing Reply #9 - Jun 26^th, 2025 at 11:25am	Print Post
	Thanks..! I forgot to mention that, especially with my tight neck chambers, 35-40 Maynard & 38-55, I neck turn for uniformity. RJ bnice wrote on Jun 25^th, 2025 at 5:14pm: I agree with RJ. I never mix different lots of brass. I anneal usually once a year. I swage the mouth of my cases to assure sealing. Trim but not often since breech seating.


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