I'm considering the idea of reloading, but I have much to learn. .470 NE ammo is not cheap, and so far I've tried Hornady and Federal (nickel plated cases, Barnes bullets). I've been saving the cases, and I've been saving my .375 H&H cases. I have no idea, however, how many times one can expect to be able to reload the cases before it's time to start over with new brass. Also, what effect does the nickel plating have on case life or ability to reload? Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tons of variables to that question, but here is an excellent example of that variability in case life.
As Brickburn points out there are many variables in how many loadings a case will yield. Most rimless cases in a bolt rifle with less than max loads can expect at least 10-20 loadings and sometimes more if headspace is good and the sizing die is properly set so as not to set the shoulder back too much every sizing. Rimmed cases usually get fewer loadings depending on the platform they are fired in especially lever actions. Again though its all about the headspace. Belted cases are notorious for failing early but mostly because little effort is made to headspace on the shoulder as in the rimless case. If done that way belted cases can give long life. My own belted cases have shown no signs of early failure as I try to headspace on the shoulder. The main issue with nickel cases seems to be the nickel chipping after some use. Not aware of it affecting case life per se. As we have discussed before on here, the main thing to watch for with any case thats been loaded a few times is to watch for so-called "bright ring" around the case head about 1/4- 3/8 of an inch above the rim. It takes practice to detect this but if seen it means the case will likely fail if loaded again. One must try to catch these because too many failures can damage a chamber or the whole rifle for that matter, though serious damage or injury is rare. And to add another variable to the mix, different brands of brass will last longer than others. I have the best luck overall with Winchester in most of my guns, though others swear by different brands. In my .375 I used mostly Remington with good results and nary ever a failure of any kind. Use Rem also in my 8X57 Mauser and a couple others too. Use Fed in some guns though again, mostly Win., seems to hold the most powder generally and last longest.
Are you needing to anneal the necks to get that many loadings?
Nope never have. I recently had to chuck some Prvi brass in 9.3x62 after 6 loadings because the necks were collapsing around the rings on Barnes Triple Shock bullets so I suppose they could have needed it but I dont want to bother with it.