Pit Bull Tex Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Does the brass bend easy?I have 104 38-40 cases that a cowboy gave me and maybe 25 or so are bent some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Yes. .38-40 and .44-40 both have thinner case necks than the straight wall cases and bend easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Silverfinger, SASS#3444 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 ...Well, exactly what do you mean by "bent"??? If it's just the case mouth, you can probably smooth out the wrinkles, etc., by taking a pair of ball-end "spreading" pliers around the inside of the mouth before running the case thru your sizing die. If the body is crushed, you probably have scrap value only. FWIW, Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 38WCF bend easily but with a little effort, can be worked and used with ease. I use bent brass all the time and even buy brass at Winter Range that has been stepped on and battered. I rarely have to toss it as scrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackey Cole Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 I have found if it goes through the dies it will work. I've shot dented brass several times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pit Bull Tex Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share Posted August 20, 2016 I put it in the class. ads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 If I have some that are questionable, I run it through the sizing die and then drop it in a revolver cylinder. It either works or it's scrap. Â BS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Howdy  No pliers for me. A dummy 50 Cal BMG round is the tool I use to open up a squashed 44-40 case mouth. Have been doing it for years.  Insert the bullet end of the 50 BMG into the squashed case mouth, give the dummy round a quick twist, and the case mouth is round again. Should work for 38-40 too.  No point starting with a crumpled case, remove the squashed case mouth before you resize. Takes two seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Years and years ago, I got a neat little tool to fix crushed case mouths. Double-ended, tapered, works for large-mouthed cases and small. Since I shoot a lot of 44-40, I have used it many times thru the years. Use it to straighten enough to run thru the sizing die, which finishes the job. Straightened a lot of stepped on cases, pitcher-mouth cases, etc. Works for 38-40 too! --Dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 I have also been able to save .38-40 cases with crushed openings by reshaping with a pair of pliers. I can usually get several more loadings out of them. Â I lose most of my .38WCF cases to small dimples that turn into splits. This is about 10-15 cases per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Silverfinger, SASS#3444 Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Hey Drifty - Good trick about the .50BMG.....I learned something! Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August West, SASS #45079 Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 If I can make the case mouth round with a mandrel (big punch, usually -- although .50 caliber BMG bullet works great for this) they/ve worked great no matter how bent up the rest of the case is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackey Cole Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 I just use a punch that will fit in the opening and roll it around the lip to get it to fit in the sizing die pronto good case unless the base of the case is dented again run through sizing die load fire form it back into shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 A wood dowel or pencil will fix the case mouth on 38/40 or 44/40 just as well. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlicLee SASS #16638 Life Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 It bends when it ejects, fix it the rifle. Never use the resize die to unbend, use a small pr medium needle nose insert slowly into case mouth until almost OK then use resize die or any round smooth shaft that tapers keep as part of your machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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