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As a former hand-loader for 25-06, 30-06 and 35 Whelen (HINT they all use the same brass.) I loaded for bolt action rifles only. When I achieved a crack of approx. 1/4 plus, is when I'd stop using that individual casing. (average 20-25 reloads per casing) I'd mostly would only neck re-size the cases, unless I was changing the size say from 30-06 down to a 25-06. 30-06 was my most available CHEAPEST cases. To one and all if your not familiar with the 35 Whelen, it is a poor-man's 375-H & H. More then ample to take ANYTHING IN SIZE in the United States has to offer. After all, it was designed for African hunts. For the first hundred yards, the ballistics of a 35 Whelen & 375-H & H are the same. :-) When I was loading the 35 Whelen, it was a "Wildcatters" rifle, meaning you had no choice, (late 1960's early 1970's up till the 1990's I believe) either hand load for it, or it sat on the proverbial shelf. Now, you can purchase ammo for it. Remember, no matter what you shoot, it start's with a "CONTROLLED EXPLOSION."

Another little secret: One can neck down 30-06 cases to .270 Winchester.

First time you do that, the case length is a few thousandths of an inch short. But I was using good ol’ Lake City military brass, and shooting in a bolt-action. The brass would stretch to normal .270 Winchester length after one or two uses.

I didn’t worry much about case separation, as military brass is thicker than commercial brass to start.