Introduction
Finding high-quality 10mm Auto once-fired brass is crucial for reloaders who appreciate accuracy and cost savings. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about sourcing, processing, and utilizing 10mm once-fired brass, ensuring you get the most from your reloading efforts. We'll delve into the benefits of using once-fired brass over new brass, discuss sourcing options, and provide tips for cleaning and prepping your brass for optimal reloading results. Understanding the nuances of 10mm once-fired brass will improve your reloading efficiency and the overall performance of your ammunition.
Sourcing Your 10mm Once Fired Brass
The first step in your reloading journey is acquiring the raw materials: 10mm once-fired brass cases. Several avenues exist for obtaining this brass, each with its pros and cons:
Online Retailers
- Large Online Marketplaces: Sites like eBay and GunBroker offer a vast selection of once-fired brass from various sellers. Prices fluctuate depending on supply and demand, so comparing options is essential. Be sure to check seller ratings and reviews to ensure quality.
- Specialized Reloading Suppliers: Numerous online retailers specialize in selling reloading components, including once-fired brass. These suppliers often offer bulk discounts and may provide higher quality, more consistently processed brass.
Local Gun Clubs and Ranges
- Networking: Many local gun clubs and shooting ranges have members who reload. Networking within these communities can lead to reliable sources of once-fired brass. You might even find someone willing to sell you their spent brass directly.
- Range Brass Collection: Some ranges allow collectors to retrieve spent brass. This is a cost-effective method, but be aware that you’ll need to sort through mixed calibers and potentially deal with damaged cases.
Bullet Manufacturers and Distributors
Some bullet manufacturers offer spent brass collection programs, allowing you to trade your spent casings for a discount on future purchases. Check with your preferred manufacturers to see if they offer such a program.
Processing and Cleaning Your 10mm Once Fired Brass
Once you’ve acquired your 10mm once-fired brass, proper processing is vital for reliable reloading. This involves cleaning, inspecting, and preparing the cases for priming, powder charging, and bullet seating.
Cleaning and Deburring
- Tumbling: A vibratory tumbler with media (such as corncob or walnut) and a cleaning solution is the most efficient method for cleaning large quantities of brass. This process removes dirt, powder residue, and other contaminants.
- Manual Cleaning: For smaller batches, manual cleaning with a brush and solvent is an option. This is more time-consuming but allows for closer inspection of each case.
- Deburring: After cleaning, use a case deburring tool to remove any sharp edges from the case mouth and primer pocket. This prevents damage to your reloading equipment and ensures consistent case dimensions.
Inspection and Sorting
- Visual Inspection: Carefully inspect each case for dents, cracks, splits, or other damage. Discard any damaged cases to prevent misfires or other malfunctions.
- Case Length Measurement: Use a case length gauge to measure each case and sort them by length. Consistent case length is crucial for reliable reloading and optimal accuracy.
Reloading with 10mm Once Fired Brass: Best Practices
Using once-fired 10mm brass can lead to considerable savings, but it requires attention to detail.
- Primer Pocket Uniformity: Check primer pockets for uniform depth. Overly deep or loose primer pockets may cause problems with primer seating.
- Neck Sizing: Proper neck sizing is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing case splitting. Use a sizing die that properly sizes the neck without excessively resizing the entire case body.
- Case Trimming: Trimming to a uniform length is crucial for consistent performance. Use a case trimmer and gauge to ensure accuracy.
Advantages of Using 10mm Once Fired Brass
- Cost Savings: Once-fired brass is significantly cheaper than new brass, reducing the overall cost of reloading.
- Environmental Friendliness: Reloading and reusing brass reduces waste and promotes sustainability.
- Performance: With proper preparation, once-fired brass can perform just as well as new brass.
Conclusion
10mm once-fired brass presents a valuable resource for reloaders seeking to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact without compromising performance. By carefully sourcing, processing, and reloading this brass, you can enjoy a cost-effective and environmentally conscious approach to ammunition production. Remember diligent inspection and proper processing are key to successful and safe reloading. Happy reloading!