Crushed a few cartridges while reloading - what to do?

[defau]

Hi all,

Long story short - during my first attempt at reloading I made a mistake with the seating die.

Not knowing how much resistance I should feel through the press when seating a bullet, I didn't realise I had the die too low until my mate who was showing me the ropes seated a bullet after me and noticed it was too difficult.

Turns out I'd turned the die a half turn in the wrong direction. Looking closely at the cartridges I pressed, you can see that I've slightly squashed the brass... The bodies have a very slight bulge and the necks are a fraction off too.

I only pressed 3 rounds so it's not a bit deal, but obviously I'm not going to shoot them with their flaws.

How do I get rid of them now though? Can't chuck em in the bin, there must be somewhere proper to dispose of them?

Thanks.

[ebr love]

I only pressed 3 rounds so it's not a bit deal, but obviously I'm not going to shoot them with their flaws.

A wise decision.

In regards to disposing of them, I think you'll find either your local gun shop, or police station is the place to take them.

[agentzero]

Your local range surely a licensed dealer too. Drop them off there next time you go shooting?

[VICHunter]

In regards to disposing of them, I think you'll find either your local gun shop, or police station is the place to take them.

Yep, either of those will do.

Dealer might be a bit friendlier about it though

[Lorgar]

Police station or firearms dealer.

Shouldn't be a big deal either way. If someone finds ammo (and is unlicensed or whatever) and needs to get rid of it these are the places they hand them into.

[Brute]

Good thing your mate caught the problem.

You wouldn't want to find out something was wrong when you try and send the first one down range.

[Igoe]

Why not pull the bullets and recover the powder?
That way you only have a primed case, which you can fire off safely in your rifle.

Ian

[defau]

Don't have a bullet puller. Not really keen to do it with pliers or similar...

[Igoe]

Don't have a bullet puller. Not really keen to do it with pliers or similar...

Fair enough, but an impact bullet puller is only about $25.
If you've just started reloading, you'll probably want to develop the best and most accurate load. That means you'll be making a fair few rounds with different powder loads (and/or projectiles) to test out. When you work out your best load, you might find you have quite a few rounds left over that you won't be using.
Good to be able to pull the bullet and re-use all the components in your new favourite load.

Ian

[defau]

Good point. I assumed they were more than that and it wouldn't be worth it for disposing of these few rounds and maybe a few more in the future.

Cheers Ian.