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I am reloading my own .223 ammunition and am happy with them giving good result. I am using Lapua and ATI cases at the moment for my Howa. My question is how do I know the cases are ready to be replaced? After the first loading I have been neck sizing only as the rounds are only used in my rifle. I shoot 69g sierra BTHP bullets with CCI primers using 24.5g of reloader 15.

When primers are loose or the case necks crack. Lapua is excellent brass and will last you more than ten reloads if you look after them.

What CCI primers are you using? I'd reccomend using the CCI magnum primers (CCI-450) if you're approaching maximum loadings otherwise you run the risk of primers blanking. That's my experience using the standard CCI small rifle primers using 69gr bullets in my CZ527 anyway.

I have been reloading the same batch of Winchester 223 brass for a while now. They are on their 14th reload, 15th firing cycle. On the 14th firing I got less than 1 in 200 neck split (out of just over 2500 cases I have ten split) which is a sign they might be on their way out. I don't load too hot, 24.2gn R15 with 77SMKs, and they have lasted better than expected, when the instance of splits or other signs get more frequent I consider changing them all (I even bought some more cases a few years ago thinking it was too good to be true but the old cases are still going strong).

Thanks for the info. I am using CCI 400 primers with them and the powder charge is mid range at 24.5g, top end is 25.5 according to the Alliance chart for Reloader 15. I have found that the Lapua brass is doing well after four reloads so far but the ADI brass has needed trimming after the same amount of reloads. Mind you the ADI cases were much cheaper so I guess I should expect this.

RE: trimming, you make a good point. I've never needed to trim my Lapua brass yet (223, 308, 6.5x47 Lapua, 7.62x53) and that's through shoulder bumping around 0.002" using a full length die. You shouldn't need to trim neck sized brass because it's the full length sizing which causes the most stretching of cases.

Hmm,interesting. The ADI cases were brand new when I purchased them and all needed trimming after four reloads! As you state the Lapua brass has never needed any trimming at all. Only full length sizing has been the very first time they were reloaded and this goes for both sets of cases.