Re-using hulls

[Keith Doty]

Out of curiosity, how many times does everyone average on reloading folded crimp plastic hulls? I'm sure it will vary with brand/type, just looking for some idea of what's average. I just ran some Cheditte 16 ga. hulls that have 3 previous firings and other than a few that got stepped on in the heat of a dove hunt, really can't say they were worse for the wear. Anyone ever tumble them to clean them? I took these to my shop and used compressed air to blow out bits of grass and dust out/off.

[Craig Larter]

I use all my hulls mostly Gun Club Remington (12 &20 ) and Cheditte 10ga until I get pin holes at the crimp or the mouth is burned black. I have loaded 8 ga Winchester hulls 6 times they are tough as heck.

[Matt Buckley]

I have loaded 16 cheddites 6 times and they are still going for the most part. Some are starting to crack at that point and they get tossed.

[Bill Jolliff]

I reload tapered hull, no base wad Remington's (Gun Club's, STS's, Nitro Gold's) and the early Winchester AA-CF's about 10 times when the ends begin to crack.

Straight walled hulls with base wads RST's, only about 4 times.

The RST's would still crimp OK, I just want to be on the cautious side and not have a base wad come loose and go down the barrel. I have cut a couple of them apart tho to see how intact that base wad is. Still nice and firm.

I have a good supply of once fired hulls so that influences my decision.

[Richard Flanders]

I generally get 4-6 reloads using STS and AA hulls. 20ga AA's only survive 3-4 reloads at most.

[john pulis]

Ditto Bill above for me as well with Remington GCs and STS/Nitros. About 6-7 with RSTs 16 before they split and crack at the crimps. All mine are low pressure 3/4 and 1/2 oz, 12s,16s, and 20s, which I think extends their life somewhat.

[Double Lab]

I think what powder you use has an affect on case mouth life. I've used just about every powder out there and have found Alliant's Extra lite and 20/28 to give the best results. YMMV.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I have 5000 STS 20's that I load every year. They are on their 8th loading. I intended to pitch them this year but they still look pretty good so I think I'll go for number 9. Most of their life they were loaded with WSF powder. This year I have switched to Vectan A0 with very good results.

[john pulis]

I use claydot for 12 as per the inclosed recipe guide and 20/28 for both 16 and 20s. I load 700x and International when the CD and 20/28 are unavailable as per Hogdons reloading. So far, so good.

[Paul Harm]

With Remingtons the base wad is part of the shell - there will be no separation. I load Remingtons 95% of the time and really don't count, just know it's plenty of reloads. I usually toss em because they start to look sh!!!y. I also reload Federal papers, but only because they were given to me and I like the way they look. maybe 4 or 5 reloads and the pin holes start to appear by the base.