45 Brass Life Expectancy

[mjoplin]

Always got a chuckle out of folks wondering how many reloads their 45 acp brass is good for. Now I finally have a datapoint (that doesn't include losing the brass...).

Had my first worn out and split 45 case last night. Head stamp was WCC 84. 30 years is not too shabby for a useful life span. This one datapoint could be a statistical anomaly though as I do have some very usable brass from the 60's.

Been enjoying the cooler weather so I can exercise the Dillon in the garage without frying while I work on 45 inventory for this year's trips to the range.

[LTUME1978]

I think the life is extremely long. I have found some military brass that was made in 42 and 43. I don't shoot those, am keeping them because they are WW II vintage. I have lots of brass from the 50's, 60's, and newer. Almost all of it is range pick up so I don't know how many times they have been reloaded. The heads on some are beat up so they have been loaded and shot a lot. I rarely find a piece of 45 brass that has failed.

[Napier]

It will live longer than you do.

[HankB]

With proper technique - minimal belling of the case, a proper taper crimp - in a low-pressure cartridge like .45 ACP the brass will last a long time - I expect many dozens of reloads.

And that's a conservative expectation.

[AF-Odin]

Lots of .45 brass (military) stamped in the 50s & 60s that I am still loading. Just keep loads at the mild level and inspect every reloading

[SPDGG]

Agree & same as everyone above, low pressure rounds last a Long time :)

Brass that keeps on going: .45ACP; WC 148 grn. .38Spl Loads