Winchester brass life without annealing

[wayward]

Hi,

Can someone tell me roughly how many reloads I could expect from Winchester brass without annealing?

This will be for a still to be decided new rifle but expecting .308 at this time.

Thanks.

[Timb0]

I use a fair bit of Winchester brass for .308 hunting reloads. I don't usually get neck problems with them so I don't bother annealing. I load my .308 pretty hot and get about 6 reloads before I get signs of head separation then I bin them.

Different story with other cartridges and brass manufactures. Federal I have had cracked necks after 2 reloads and also had loose primer pockets, Lapua I anneal every 3rd reload to try and get a bit more life out of them as I do a lot more brass prep to them, they last the longest.

I heard a whisper that Winchester might be changing their brass composition ( or they already have) so the above might not be the case anymore. I have a stockpile of Winchester brass that is 5-7 years old that I'm working my way through.

[Lorgar]

I switched from Remington to Winchester brass a while ago and am working my way through the win brass still.
(400 brass for a hunter lasts a long time )

All mine was .308 and has since been necked down to 7mm. It's been fired in both sizes for a total of 5-6 shots and I'm yet to throw one away.

[Press]

I've been doing 10 shots then replacing it.

Giving away at 10 shots to stay ahead of problems too, not because they were going so you could get more.

[Swarm]

10 and out is a common routine for a lot of guys.

You could budget for that but likely squeeze a few more shots out depending on your loads.

[wayward]

10 would be plenty guys, thanks.

[wayward]

You could budget for that but likely squeeze a few more shots out depending on your loads.

Forgot to ask swarm, what does the load change for brass life?

Thanks

[The Brass]

Wayward,

Light loads (lighter projectiles and/or less powder) are much gentler on your brass.

If you're able too, compare the necks of a case shooting a light load vs one with a heavy powder charge and projectile.

You'll see the neck of the light load is the same (or almost imperceptibly longer, you'd need calipers to tell the difference probably).

Shooting heavy loads you can watch the necks grow as the brass stretches and thins. With the extra pressure the next will grow something like 1/2 - 1mm per shot. When you're trimming and working it that much they'll have a shorter life.