Case Inspection

This part of the reloading process can be done throughout the reloading process. I would look at the cases after cleaning and then again after resizing and de-priming. I would measure them right before priming them. The cases should not be over max length. My LEE dies came with a spec sheet but you can find all this information in many reloading manuals and on line as well. Another good manual to have is in magazine for and is called Hodgdon's Annual. It will have the latest information on many loads, cases and bullets.

You can trim them if they are too long and get them to all the same size. They really should not elongate the first couple of times you reload them and especially not after firing factory loads. 

Usually the cases that have been loaded hot or at max will start to exhibit stretching and deforming. Also if your using brass that you have scavenged from somewhere, maybe the range or bought used somewhere. 

Look for cracks at the mouth of the case and look at the base of the case for deformities. The case pictured above has a crack or dent in the mouth and will be discarded. Why take a chance!

I have seen deformities at the base of shells from cowboy action shooters using lever action guns. The best is usually your own brass or new brass. 
Auto loaders need certain case length and need smooth cases in order to load and eject without jamming. Depending on the pistol or rifle they can be picky on which cases will properly cycle through the gun. This is not the case with revolvers or bolt action guns.
At the next level say for competition shooting having all the cases exactly the same as far as size and weight are important but that is another topic and best discussed for advanced re-loaders in a future article.

For Now Good Shooting!