A dumb question

[skeet]

I really know the answer but.have to ask.

I have a bunch of 44 Special cases I acquired recently. Once fired but old..so old they are of the balloon head variety..not the early folded but later balloon head. I have the idea I can load them with light loads or snake loads. What say y'all? I figured to load 'em shoot 'em and mash 'em for scrap. so nobody can use 'em in the future. Not many reloaders of today even know what balloon head cases are.

Waiting with bated breath

[Jack]

I think you can use them for light loads - I sure wouldn't load them heavy!
My guess is they must be pre WW2? Watch out for mouth splits on cases that old.

[Adam Helmer]

skeet,

I agree with Jack; if you load those cases, keep the loads light.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

Yep I think you could safely load them with shot loads, or even 80%-90%trailboss loads (stop rollin' your eyes its my favorite powder darnit!) Balloon head cases only started getting a bad rep for separation when people started magnumizin' the darned things. When you have a thumb sized hunk of lead putterin' down range it's going to pass though any kinda meat it come in contact with, there isn't a need to make everything a mangelum. Heck don't know why I am botherin' to type it in again, you know this already. Anyway my point is I throw my 2 cents and my hat into the go for it side of the argument.

GoodOlBoy

[buckhunter]

You can load them light but is it worth it. What are you really saving, nothing really. I usually keep a few for the bullet boad and junk the rest. Its just not worth it.

[skeet]

I even did what GOB suggested. Used Trailboss. Talk about a wimpy powder!!! I was not surprised I could see the bullet going downrange...Just teasing ya GOB!! They worked just fine but I think I am going to just hammer 'em and throw 'em in the recycle box. Do y'all know the price of scrap brass?? Holy Cow. Next thing I have to do is to resize some 243 to 260 Rem brass. I have so much 243. I have a set of neck stretching dies from RCBS for all sorts of calibers.I used to use 'em to do 30-06 to 35 Whelen. They are old but don't think you could wear 'em out. I know that 260 brass is not so hard to find but being cheap I want to use some of that 500 pieces of 243 once fired I have. I want to use that Kimber 260 I got last month. I put a Nikon 4x12 on it and need to sight it in....and go shoot me a coyote 'er sumpin with it.. Then the next thing i got to do is clean up some 223 brass I got at a yard sale today. It's military once fired and got at least 500 for a penny a piece..well 5 bucks for the bunch. Only good thing I even saw at the yard sales this mawnin. Well I saw a Remington 11-87 with 2 bbls and 2 stocks but the guy wanted 650 bucks sheesh. I offered 500..and left my name and number when he said no. I thunk 500 might have been a bit high

[GoodOlBoy]

Yep I am running a bit of salvage nowdays, copper, aluminum and brass are bringing good prices at the yard. Who can blame you for resizing what you have already? Why buy when a little elbow grease will get you where you want to go?

GoodOlBoy

[skeet]

Well I went into a Pawn Shop this afternoon. Lo and behold they had a box and a half of the Remington 260 Premiers with 120 gr Noslers and another box of once fired 260 brass. Made 'em an offer on the whole bunch of 20 bucks and they took it. Guy told me they have had it sitting in the case for almost a year and it was time to get rid of it. Made me happy..and them too I guess. I quite often do really good at pawn shops. Came real close to buying a Rem 788 in 243 too. Had a 3x9 Nikon on it and was in pretty good condition but I already have one or so..in 243. If it hadda been a 22-250..well I woulda brung it home. I've never gotten a rifle that was shot out..either at a yard sale or pawn shop. I had a fellow bring me a Weatherby in 257 WM a few days ago. He had told me it just wouldn't shoot and he thought about replacing the bbl...Well I told him to bring it around and I would clean the bore..clean. So I cleaned it with my Foul Out. I'll guarantee you it'll shoot now. That thing was really messed up in the bore. Now, you can see the rifling. Previously..the bore really did look shot out