scattershot
Member
LOL Where does your Dad live? I have some that needs attention.
Sorting Handgun Brass - What Say You?
- Thread starter exnodak
- Start date
Those of you who load for smallish cases like the .380 ACP, may want to weigh the various manufacturers brass cases and see the variation in weight from one brand to another. I did, and the differences were significant. My point is, if they weigh differently, they "probably" or maybe I should say "could" have different internal capacities. That can be an issue with higher end charges of fast powders like Bullseye.
If you are a contender for master class at Camp Perry, you would want to sort brass. If you shoot like the rest of us, no need.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
I've been sorting all of my brass for a while, although I'm getting lazier about the plinking loads.
I know the OP was talking about pistol rounds, but I wanted to share this week-end's reminder about sorting rifle brass. I was working up a new load for my 7mm RM (I need lead free now that I am in CA). My brass was sorted (or so I thought). When loading the second round at book max I felt a definite crunch as the extruded powder compressed. The previous round at the same charge did not. I took another look and confirmed that the headstamp was different. I had read that the "other" headstamp brass had lower capacity. I think I just confirmed it.
Chubbs
I know the OP was talking about pistol rounds, but I wanted to share this week-end's reminder about sorting rifle brass. I was working up a new load for my 7mm RM (I need lead free now that I am in CA). My brass was sorted (or so I thought). When loading the second round at book max I felt a definite crunch as the extruded powder compressed. The previous round at the same charge did not. I took another look and confirmed that the headstamp was different. I had read that the "other" headstamp brass had lower capacity. I think I just confirmed it.
Chubbs
I sort my brass partially because I feel that the same head stamp brass means that it has the same manufactured characteristics and partially because I am anal and like it that way. Sitting on the couch with a bucket from the range and a dozen or so tupperware containers to pitch it into is a no brainer for me. Mainly I just like things orderly.
Attachments
I pick up nearly all my brass for free, don't bother to separate it for reloading, but if I were buying used brass, I think I'd rather buy it separated, even if paying slightly more. But then I pick it up for free, so. . .
I only reload handgun calibers, 9mm, .38spec., .40S&W, .45acp & I will now need a .45Colt set up for my dillon 550. I am not a compitition shooter, I just enjoy going to the club / range for informal practice.
I have managed to pick up enough brass from the club to fill a 40 gal. garbage can. I sort by caliber using a set of sorting pans designed for the purpose. I no longer sort by headstanp though. For my purposes I found it to be overkill.
I usually find the damaged cases when I and hand feeding my 550. Ocasionaly a bad case might slip through, but I do inspect every loaded round before it goes into the box.
LTC
I have managed to pick up enough brass from the club to fill a 40 gal. garbage can. I sort by caliber using a set of sorting pans designed for the purpose. I no longer sort by headstanp though. For my purposes I found it to be overkill.
I usually find the damaged cases when I and hand feeding my 550. Ocasionaly a bad case might slip through, but I do inspect every loaded round before it goes into the box.
LTC
Coaltminer
Member
Looks as if commercial reload sellers don't sort, but I do, then I box 'em up in factory boxes I pick up at the range. There may not be much brass around, but nobody wants the boxes.
