Sorting cases by headstamp?

[DenverGP]

So for my test loads, I made sure to use all cases with the same headstamp. Do I need to do that for all reloads or only when working up a new load? What issues would it cause if I did not sort them? I know for my 45acp cases, I will at least need to sort the small primers from the large primers.


Also, how important is it to keep track of how many times a case has been loaded? With the way brass jumps around at the indoor range, I can't always tell if the cases I'm picking up are the ones I was shooting, or the ones someone else was shooting. Or is a good visual inspection of the cases before I reload them enough to avoid problems? In case it matters, i'm only reloading 9mm and 45acp at this time.

[Hound]

For me headstamps matter for general rifle loads to try and keep the case volume a little more even and that is mostly for plinking rounds. I also care about it for those cases that are becoming 300BLK. For my serious long range Lapua (or other good name) Brass... that is a different story. I try to not let those touch the ground;) Don't really care with pistol cases past getting the Nickel and split cases out. I guess maybe if I were reloading some nice defensive rounds.

[Ranger353]

For me headstamps matter for general rifle loads to try and keep the case volume a little more even and that is mostly for plinking rounds. I also care about it for those cases that are becoming 300BLK. For my serious long range Lapua (or other good name) Brass... that is a different story. I try to not let those touch the ground;) Don't really care with pistol cases past getting the Nickel and split cases out.

Agree, sorting head stamps for .45ACP is probably not as critical as match rifle rounds. Unless you are shooting matches with your .45 or 9mm you are not going to notice too much variation in the loads between the different brass cases, as long as you sort the nickel cases out from the brass.

[DenverGP]

Good points there... I'm only loading for plinking at the range (at least at the moment).

I have picked up a few nickle plated cases, I've sorted them out seperately, but wouldn't think they would make much difference to me? I have seen a post where someone said the nickle cases would split sooner than regular brass.

[Hound]

The issue with nickel is that it can flake off and mess with your dies.

[Great-Kazoo]

The issue with nickel is that it can flake off and mess with your dies.


Depends how many times they've been reloaded. I don't separate by head stamp, why go any crazier than one had to,for shooting. I also don't waste time trimming hand gun brass, or fretting over a less than spotless primer pocket.
Now the long distance, comp shooters, that's a different story.

[DenverGP]

Cool, ty guys. I'll be happy to not mess with trying to sort all the brass. I'll still be sorting out the Federal small primer 45 cases from the large primer cases. But that's a lot less hassle then all the sorting I was doing.

[Great-Kazoo]

Give me a head count on the SPP 45 brass. I'd swap my LPP for them.

[DenverGP]

Appreciate the offer, but I've got more small primers than large primers right now, so I don't mind using the small primer ones. And I've got about a thousand rounds of federal ammo waiting to be "unloaded" at the range.

[Alpha2]

I've been separating by headstamp so long it's become a habit. It would be nice to not have to, though. But what am I going to do with all those dry-roasted Planter's jugs?

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/jhallrv4/jugs_zps2430510c.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/jhallrv4/media/jugs_zps2430510c.jpg.html)

[TheBelly]

I use cheap glad-ware containers for brass that I use for rifle matches.

pistol and rifle blasting I use 5 gallon buckets.

[HoneyBadger]

I use cheap glad-ware containers for brass that I use for rifle matches.

pistol and rifle blasting I use 5 gallon buckets.
Apart from the awesome competing and the volume, my set up is very similar. Cheap glad containers that can hold a few hundred cases each are great for sorting or separating different stages of your reloading if you have different batches of brass in different stages.

I use 2 gallon buckets to sort and store brass before I resize it and sort it by headstamp. I don't differentiate between "match" ammo and "blasting" ammo. I don't shoot any matches and I try not to waste ammo when i'm at the range. I try to load all my rifle ammo to sub-MOA standards... which is by no means difficult. Belly is splitting hairs with his match ammo to put his bullets through the same hole from a long ways away. I'm definitely not there yet with my reloading or shooting abilities.

Also, the 50rd trays that federal 9mm used to come in are perfect for sorting and organizing .223.

[Circuits]

If you're actually worried about recovering your cases and only your own cases, you can mark them with a sharpie when you reload them or before you load and fire them for new brass. A sharpie mark won't go missing from one loading and firing.

[DenverGP]

yeah, i used the sharpie mark for my test rounds. let me be sure I was looking at cases from the test batches.

[jerrymrc]

Folgers plastic coffee cans here. Easy to use automotive masking tape and mark. they stack well also.45227 Each can holds right at 500 .223 cases. I do use boxes and bags for the bulk brass stuck away.

[sabot_round]

Folgers plastic coffee cans here. Easy to use automotive masking tape and mark. they stack well also.45227 Each can holds right at 500 .223 cases. I do use boxes and bags for the bulk brass stuck away.

^^^^These^^^^, cat litter tubs for bulk (and no, I don't have a cat), and freezer bags for my ready to load brass.