Do you separate your pistol brass by manufacturers head stamp or just mix all together by caliber?? I load 45 and 9mm for target shooting and separate them all. starting to get annoying!! LOL

as a rule I don't separate them, with the exception of seller& bellot 9mm as they have very tight primer pockets.
if I am loading carry loads I do use all the same cases, target loads don't get the treatment.

I separate mine. I have found that groups fired at 25yd.+ yards tend to string vertically with mixed brass. I guess it is due to the different internal capacities of different brands. I also save all my wadcutter brass for wadcutter loads as they are cannelured for such.

Haven't separated cases in years.

What "target shooting" are you doing with 9mm that you can tell a different POI with a different head stamp case??
Seriously?

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Science plus Art

I am not that good shot to see the difference - no separation for me.

I know a lot of folks at the gun club here that separate their brass by headstamp, personally I don't. My carry ammo is factory Hydroshock so it isn't a concern, my range ammo is various headstamps and I haven't noticed a significant difference in any of it. I can't shoot the wings off a fly at 20 yards with any of it anyway, if I hit a paper plate everytime I'm happy.

Ditto right down to the carry ammo.
Jim

What's a headstamp? Is that like a clean primer pocket?

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Still Running Against the Wind

I segregate all of mine by headstamp, but I'll also admit that I really don't think it does anything except feed my OCD a little more. Of course I do a lot of contradictory things in my reloading habits. I sort by headstamp, refuse to weight-sort anything; I have to trim revolver & rifle brass, but trimming pistol brass is a waste of time. I'm not trying to say that one way is better than the other, it comes down to how anal do you want to be? If you've got the time & it makes you feel better, then go for it .

-Klaus

I don't separate my 9mm brass since it is loaded for the others in the family. They all just pull the trigger and hope they hit the target........no big deal, so why bother ?

I do have a box of 50 that I use in testing loads with that are the same lot/make. After 5-6 reloads I toss them into the "Mixed" pile for light target loads.

The only time I ever separated pistol cases was when loading .44 Mag for shooting competition in IHMS a long time ago. I have a friend who is a shooting buddy and he religiously separates all cases by headstamp. Can't tell it makes a difference at the distances we shoot.

When sizing or flaring on a single stage press, I can most definitely feel the difference in dimension, thickness and hardness of different makes of brass. This is often so distinct that I have gotten pretty good at ID-ing the manufacturer by feel alone. (Especially true for R-P brass which is about the thinnest and weakest of all, Speer which is often shorter, Herters which is harder etc.)
If the variation is this noticeable, it simply must affect the neck tension and how the case grips the bullet, and thus accuracy,
I sort my brass by major headstamp but still end up with a residual amount of mixed leftovers which are not worth sorting down any further.
I can clearly tell the difference between mixed-lot groups and single headstamp groups which have far fewer fliers and unexplained misses.

This all, of course, is somewhat gun dependent as some guns are not particularly accurate with any ammo. It is, however, evident with higher accuracy guns where ammo deviation matters.

That's why I asked the question! Didn't say I noticed a difference, just wanted opinions if I was wasting my time

Okay, yes... Unless you think no.

I found most of the OCD details have less to do with the POI than most of my own variable daily attention to the basics of sight alignment and trigger control.

If I can make consistent "groups" of appropriate size rather than rat droppings in a dresser drawer pattern, I'm satisfied.

Recently I came up with 2 separate loads for my 627V8 PC at 40' that gave me 8 shots well in under 2" square. Most of them were touching each other. That works for my needs.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

I bought a bunch of "once fired" nickel cases both in .38 and .45. I must have a lot of time on my hands because I was curious as to how many different head stamps I had. I counted 15 different .45 ACP out of 1750 cases. I obviously didn't do this all at one time, it was over the time I took to de-cap and size them. I don't separate them when I'm reloading, just doesn't make any sense for me to do so.

When I was shooting match's I would sort brass for match loads, but practice ammo is not sorted.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

This ^^^ speaks volumes! It doesn't keep me from my little OCD quirks though, I've even been known to clean a primer pocket on occasion .

-Klaus

Never.......A waste of time.

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S&W Accumulator

Long, long ago in a different Minnesota Universe, I ordered 400 plastic fishing worms in the January. After four days with the high temperature of -15° F, I counted my rubber worms and sorted them by kind and color.

I was shocked!!! I only had 255 worms. I called Bass Pro Shop, reported the problem, they took my name and address. Five days later I received my second order of 400 plastic worms -- only the box was larger. When I finally got done counting and sorting worms, the total in the second order was 550.

I still have some of those plastic worms in my tackle box, but I don't sort brass by headstamps (only caliber), nor do I clean primer pockets. My bullseye groups have been terrible with matching brass, and incredible with mixed brass.

I need more coffee -- won't be decaf either!

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S&WHF 366

Well anybody knows that Worms ain't no good in Mn. You gotta use Leaches for Walleyes. Duh!

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have some thousand or so, old Peters match 45 I always keep separate.
I only used it for competition matches.

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wanna do right-- not right now

Blasting ammo, which is loaded to a well established range. No, that's why I established a range, so I don't have to put up with the rocket science procedures.
Ammo loaded to a specification, yes, these loads are small runs for the special collection.

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it just needs more voltage

I do tend to sort my brass by head stamp but not really sure it makes all that much difference. For sure I keep double cannelured brass separate for my M52 full wadcutters and I find that some brands fit my 8-shot moon clips better than others for quick reloads.

When I started reloading (with no one else around to guide me), I wanted to do everything right (so I didn't blow myself and/or my gun up).

So yes, I do sort my brass by headstamp, I do clean primer pockets, I do clean my brass before reloading and when I shot PPC competition, I trimmed all my match brass (38 special).

It makes me feel better and it makes me feel like I get the most out of the time I spend reloading. After 34 years, I'm probably not going to change my ways. :-)

I separate 9mm from my .38's and my 40's from my .45's
Randy

I separated cases for a long time but could see no real difference I am not that great a shot anyway!

Unless I am both very bored and suffering an OCD attack, no. It simply isn't worth the effort.

I load 100 rounds at a time and always start out with 100 rounds of the same headstamp. I gather my brass as I shoot and look to find all of that box. If I lose any I replace with the same headstamp from spares. I also keep stickers on my ammo boxes showing the data for each of the times reloaded. The number of reloads may range from new to 20/30 times. One reason I don't mix.
My 38 Supers all started life as new Starline but were put into production over a period of time, so a varying number of reloads.
I just acquired 4K of once fired 45 ACP small primer brass, half Speer and half Federal NT. Since they will all go into production about the same time I may not be so pickey with them--but I may. I am having to swage the primer pockets of the Federal, so the definitely load different than the Speer.
You have to keep in mind though that I have been a CPA for 50 years, and am still trying to learn how to pass my days without working.

For bulk reloading of target loads I don't bother.

I do have some brass that I suppose could be considered sorted, but they are all batches of the more expensive rifle cartridges, and bought at the same time for put together target loads.

For the type of shooting I do and the typical 25yrd max range for pistols, I really have no need to spend the time sorting what I pick up.

I sort 9mm since it’s such a low volume case and I do heavier loads. 38, 45, no.

A paper plate at 20 yards is very much minute of bad guy.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I buy once fired range brass from indoor range in bulk .
I seperate it out , by headstamp into boxes of 50 and reload in lots of 50 .
After a few range trips , they get mixed up , I get tired of trying to keep them seperate .
I did a test , mixed brass against sorted brass , same load - 10 targets fired on , 10 shots on each target ... targets scored ...
9mm Luger, 124 gr. cast TC bullet , at indoor range 50 feet ... no big difference ... in fact the mixed brass did slightly better ... just slightly and that could change with another test !
For now I've stopped sorting brass for 50 feet shooting with cast bullet 9mm Luger loads .

Some folks "Believe" sorted brass must be better and it gives them a good feeling to have sorted cases ... but a psychological edge is an edge and if it makes you feel better ...sort em' !
You can always do a little test ... "the proof is in the shooting" !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Only separate Wadcutter brass.

Fifty years ago I used to buy plastic boxes of .22 CCI mini-mags. I kept all the boxes.

Now, for routine target shooting I buy bulk and then transfer them out into the plastic boxes and throw out the cardboard. One year I bought 3 bricks of Remington bulk and all 3 were short 3-5 rounds. Recent Winchester bulk was indeed 500 rounds, but 2 were empty primed cases.

I have never sorted brass, but I DO clean primer pockets.

No, I clean deprime size clean and load them.

I usually sort brass by headstamp. However, lately, I've been using a batch of about 500 mixed .45 ACP brass. I shoot Bullseye only but apparently not well enough to see a difference in accuracy between the mixed brass and all-Winchester batch that I usually shoot. I still think it's important to remember that mixed brass will never shoot better than brass that is all the same.

I have been known to pick out what seemed to be shiney once-fired 9mm brass out of the hundreds of cases we typicaly find at the range prior to processing them: usually these are in close to multiples of 50. I use these to typically identify a new or test load or bullet.

I will separate these and, since I note the types of cases in my reloading records, can usually identify which bullet & powder load is which by their headstamps...

Note that a lot of my 9mm reloading when in quantity (i.e., 300+ at a time) is simply "Mixed Brass" for use at the range. These are not sorted, but they are inspected multiple times in the process.

Cheers!

P.S. Doubtful that I could ever run out of 9mm brass: doesn't appear there are a whole lot of reloaders at our range...

When I'm working up a load I sort by headstamp, for consistency. For some "special" handloads I sort, like my 44 Magnum "T-Rex Killer" loads (265 gr RNFP over a max load of WC820). My other semi-autos get a glance at the headstamp and if I see an undesirable mfg. I can toss it, other wise no sorting. I haven't run across any revolver brass unsuitable for my uses so I rarely sort, but I do look at the case head and primer pocket during inspection, the first step after cleaning...

I separate and just take one brand to the range. It is then easy to keep them separated. I found as many as 5 gr difference in weight sorting between 9mm brands. Out of a pcc that can make a difference in bullet impacts.

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Front sight and squeeze

I don't sort by headstamp ... but I do clean primer pockets ...

... that gives me my... "Edge" !
A man needs to have an edge
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Have older lots of mixed 45 acp range brass used for low pressure lead loads that only has the rem sorted out. Not real concerned if i lose many of them, and usually shoot them till they split. Rem brass is shorter, thinner and less elastic than others. This can affect how brass gets belled and crimped. I use the rem, but having them separated makes the final product more consistent by adjusting dies/reloading steps specifically for rem 45 acp brass.

This discussion frequently comes up on forums, but people rarely clarify what their reloading purpose is (target/full power jacketed etc.) Am reloading a fair amount of close to max jacketed loads, and keep the cases segregated for that purpose.

I quit sorting cases when I got volunteered to accompany a renowned Bullseye Pistolsmith to the range for Ransom Rest testing on his new builds , reworks etc . All shot with same load 3.8grs Bullseye , H&G 68 SWC , WLP primers & mixed cases . Granted all were 45acp 1911's with light loads . Don't know how it'd work with smaller case/higher pressure cartridge . For jacketed & stiffer loads I'd segregate as it does make a difference . 9mm accuracy buffs will only shoot jacketed with new or 1X fired cases only . Seems smaller case & higher pressure it pays to be painstakingly exact as it does make a difference in groups , especially @ 50yds .

Just for fun I just weighed 10 WIN 9mm cleaned cases, spent primers still intact.
I got 9 different weights.

I also just weighed 10 Berry's 115gr RN bullets. 8 different weights.

My theory is that sorting is a waste of time.
Weighing them probably is too. Head stamps or bullets.

I haven't tried the 50 yard accuracy comparsion with mixed brass vs. all same headstamp or same lot brass, but I have no doubt you're right.

I have a large ammo can that is filled with WW Match brass. Picked it up when I was assigned to a base in Calif. We were given 50K of match ammo to qualify with since we were a security unit and had a higher priority than other units. All TZZ ammo was being destroyed. Took a can of empty brass home cleaned, sized, deprimed and belled the cases. Back into the ammo can. Only use them when I do some match type shooting.

All other brass is lumped together and processed for reloading.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

99% of my 45 ACP brass is GI so no issue, most 38 Spl. is down loaded. Only really sort 38 Spl. brass is for Colt Mid Range as its trimmed,357 Mag. brass may get sorted if there is enough.

Do you really think cases are the trick for the Colt Mid Range and S&W 52? I have had both guns and the only difference seems to be when I use HBWC's.

AJ

These are my fall back if needed. A gentleman gave these boxes of .38 Special Match to a range officer. I got them from him. Saving for a rainy day! As you can see it is a mix of Match and Mid Range Match.

Attached Images

..38 Special Match.jpg (140.3 KB, 4 views)

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.