Just wondering.Seems my reload shells are disappearing at an alarming rate.What I do is inspect every shell before putting them into my reload box.Looking at the crimp end I rotate shell using a finger nail pressing each crease of shell.If my finger nail hits a split that runs down the crimp,I pitch it as no good.So,being there's eight creases,is it unreasonable to pitch a shell with one split.I read where people get x amount of reloads per shell.Doesn't seem to matter much wheather they're gun clubs,sts, or Nitros,3x seems max for me,then the splits start showing.The red shells aren't any better.So,,what's your opinion,too picky,or just right.

Doug H.

I pitch them when they wont crimp anymore.

More picky than me for sure. Scotch tape can extend case life for a few more loads :-)

I think you should be more concerned about how the reloaded shell fits in the chamber of your gun. If it is a good fit and is not leaking shot, shoot it. HMB

I load sts hulls more than 10 times. I kept track of one and it lasted 21 times

If the shot stays in runner through again if you shoot a break open. If your shooting a auto in doubles good hulls are probably best.

Brady

I reload until I cannot get a good crimp.

Is scotch tape safe? Will it not melt and gum up a chamber or barrel?

Ed Ward

I keep all my hulls the same age for reloading. I start with new once fired hulls and I put them in a labeled box so I know exactly how many times they have been reloaded. They are more consistent this way and their last reload they get pitched on the ground.

I pretty much do what miketmx does, start with 10 flats of fresh hulls, reload with a quick visual inspection and when I start pitching 2 or 3 (10%) out each box then I consider the whole lot done. Finish reloading them and let them hit dirt. With that said, I tend to get about 4-6 reloads from Gun Clubs, 10+ reloads from STS and about the same from the ribbed Federal GM hulls.

Greg

I check the mouth (petals) for pin holes or splits, and stick a finger in the mouth to determine if the petals are stiff and burnt. It's obvious which shell to check by the bent in petals and burnt appearance. If I find any of those issues they go into the "one more reload box" then get reloaded once more and left on the ground. I don't keep track of the number of times a shell is reloaded.

There is no way I would ever put tape on a shell! Lol! I have seen a guy duct tape the butt pad on his gun.