Sitting at work and bored!!

So what is the average life of your pistol and rifle brass?
(how many loads)

I shoot and load 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, .223 the most. I know it all depends on how hot the loads are and manufacturer of the brass.
I started color coding my brass with a sharpie. For instance if the ammo is new loaded or virgin brass I mark them green(1st firing)
Red for second load
Black for third
Blue for 4th
and brown for 5th and recycle if it makes it this far.

Most of my pistol brass loaded is on the 3rd and 4th loads. I load mid range. I'm not a precision shooter, just wanting it to go bang.
Thoughts?
How many loads are y'all getting?

Annealing rifle brass regularly is the key to brass life. That as well as the quality of the brass, and the type of load.

For instance I've got some Federal .308 brass that runs in the LR-308, it's got 3 loads on it, and is starting to show loose primer pockets. It's about to have to be scrapped.

However, I've got Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass that's about to have its 6th loading. After that I may scrap it just because I'm getting into a higher potential for loose primer pockets. But none of my brass has any body or neck problems, due to a regular annealing procedure i.e. every other firing.

For guys that don't load a LOT, is the cost of an annealer logical? Meaning, if an average shooter/loader like myself were to buy one, it may take years to re-coup. I could just buy new brass after 3 or so loadings and save the time and learning curve. Before you ponce on me, realize I'm mentioning this in more a questioning way rather than factual. Like the OP, I'm looking to learn.

For the low volume shooter I recommend mailing their brass to someone with an annealer, covering the shipping both ways, and compensating the person doing it. Lots of guys that are high volume shooters do that very thing. Their brass stays fit to their chamber, and in better shape than many brands of brand new brass.

I have some 300 win mag Winchester on its sixth loading but starting to get loose primer pockets and a couple of primers have blown out at firing so they are through. I annealed after every other loading. I have 7mmo8 that are easy on their 7th firing and still going strong. Every once in a while I find one with a loose primer pocket and trash it. Also anneal on every other loading.

Pistol brass is good foe lots of firings, have gone 20 or more. Something that helps there is not belling the case mouth any more than necessary.

Rifle brass is another story. Like JG said anealing extends life but does nothing to help soft brass anf primer pocket expansion.

Pressure and brass quality go a long way in determing brass life. The little 6.5 grendel for example 20 loadings from Lapua brass from an AR without anealing and 40 or more from a bolt action and anealing is not un heard of but it runs at 50k psi. PPU beass was only goid for 2 or 3 loadings before primer pockets got too big

I've got 7mm-08 AI (lapua 308) brass with 12 firings on it. Hornady brass in my 6 creed was very poor in quality with some only lasting 2 firings and 6-7 on the rest. All of the hornady failed in the primer pocket area. Federal 22-250 has shown one or two loads max with necks or shoulders splitting. While prepped rp lasts a good while. I've never counted pistol brass as most is just checked for splits then ran.

Like kmon1 said I have some 45 colt pistol brass that has only had cowboy type loads through it with too many loadings to count.

I generally stick to mid range loads to help preserve my brass life and get around 10 firings on bolt rifle cases.

I worked up some warmer loads for my 243 at or a grain or so beyond max load in the books and split some necks and had some loose primers on the 3rd firing.

I have .45 ACP brass that has been fired up to 20 times or more. I don't expect the primer pockets to ever loosen, but now that it's out there I am wondering how many times I'll be able to resize, flare, and seat bullets. Surely the case mouths are getting work hardened...but they just keep on going. Splits have been VERY rare.

Know of anyone ever annealing pistol case mouths?

As cheap as 9mm and 40 cal brass is, I'll fire it and leave it on the ground. Pistol cases can be reloaded many times. But I only load them once. Now, 10mm brass, I'll save and scour through high grass to get each 10mm case, because they are much more expensive.

Can't say that I do.

This is a great idea, I may be sending mine to JG as I shoot about 1/10th the amount he does.

Nope.

Come shoot at the range, bring brass, and I'll bring my annealer. Take your brass when you leave.

Just adding to the discussion: I currently load three bolt-action rifle cartridges and believe I typically get around 10 or 12 reloads. I quit counting after a while. My loads are usually at or near book-max. I have never annealed and I have never had a loose-primer pocket issue. I toss the brass when I start to see longitudinal stress marks in the neck.

I think the .223 brass can take a ton of punishment. I guess I never shot out any rifle brass. what do you look for besides split necks, primer pockets not holding primers, separation at base?

pistol, I agree with Chad, especially 9mm. I used to shoot a ton of .45 ACP split necks from belling and crimping.

Good Idea JG

I understand there are variables but do we have general number of firings before annealing? I'm guessing 3ish.

Depends on the goal.

Dave anneals every firing on his 6.5X47 because he wants brass life and consistency.

I anneal every other firing for the same reasons, and think it's good enough.

If you're Just looking to preserve brass, then yes, I think after every 3rd firing is when it's "due".

I do every second firing unless it gets mixed then it all gets annealed.

I anneal every third rotation. I don't push the pressure limits and am on the 8th rotation with this matched fifty 7 rem mag cases. No loose primer pockets and no splits or pressure rings. Moderate pressure with slow powders and minimal sizing will extend useful brass life. Pushing the envelope for maximum velocity often shortens the life of your brass as does complete full length sizing per the instructions on full length sizing dies. A lot depends on what you are trying to achieve with your loads. No real hard and fast rules on how long it will last.