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  #1  
Old 04-18-2017, 2:38 AM
alexisjohnson alexisjohnson is offline
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Default Do you sort mixed brass or just load them alltogether?

Hey guys,
I've been recently wondering whether people generally sort their handgun brass by headstamp or if you simply load them in mixed batches?

If you load them mixed, does that have any (negative) results downrange?
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Old 04-18-2017, 3:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexisjohnson View Post
Hey guys,
I've been recently wondering whether people generally sort their handgun brass by headstamp or if you simply load them in mixed batches?

If you load them mixed, does that have any (negative) results downrange?
No sort.
No.

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  #3  
Old 04-18-2017, 3:16 AM
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Only sort by caliber. Headstamps no.
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  #4  
Old 04-18-2017, 4:04 AM
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Only sort by caliber. Headstamps no.
Yup.
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  #5  
Old 04-18-2017, 4:52 AM
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45 ACP -- cull small primers, don't sort headstamps.
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Old 04-18-2017, 5:40 AM
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^^^^What DM said^^^^.
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Old 04-18-2017, 7:32 AM
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I used to load whatever I picked up. I run single headstamps now, but that's only because I can (sort of) afford to do so.

Were I forced to, I would load and shoot my mixed stash of 45 and 38spl brass without concern. Not so much for the 32SWL (small case = too sensitive to case capacity changes.)
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Old 04-18-2017, 8:33 AM
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Ok, so I agree with previous posts.
On rifle plinking loads, I don't sort.
Rifle target loads - sort and # firings recorded.
Handgun plinking - no sorting ever.
Handgun plinking and target magnum (includes 10MM, 44 Mag) - not really sort but extensive case checking for heavy reloading.

In general if I see a case split or odd case bulge it is tossed.

I do take an extra level of inspection on my 308 Winchester reloading in the upper load levels. I don't as a practice go beyond book stated values.
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Old 04-18-2017, 9:13 AM
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Let case capacity be your guide. Plus depending upon what you are loading.

Pressure build up both can and will be reflected in accuracy. In plinking general range fodder it is generally not an issue.

That said:

I have found in loading tens of thousands of 223/5.56 and 308/7.62 that on occasion I'd find a case or two per thousand that had less capacity than others with a resulting need for a compressed load. I'd toss those.
.
In HG the 45acp is a non issue save for the primer as has been already mentioned. In the 9mm and 40cal the potential for an issue could arise.
.
If you are just starting out I'd highly recommend starting with commercial ammo and reusing that brass. Once you've achieved the level of being confident in your loads you will also be at the level of knowing what is acceptable for the different calibers you load for.
.
45acp is the most forgiving in that it is a low pressure caliber. 40cal is not so forgiving. Find a mentor is my suggestion......
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Old 04-18-2017, 10:06 AM
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I will sort by headstamp to a point. I like to separate the Fed, Win, PMC, BB & if I'm lucky Starline. This is what I use for match ammo. All the other mixed stuff goes into the practice ammo bin. Doing it this way allows me another inspection step, helps get the SPP stuff sorted out as well as the known junk like Amerc and Freedom stepped brass as well as any crimped stuff. Yeah, I know, I'm OCD.

Scott
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:07 AM
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I sort Winchester and then everything else. I only do that because I currently have a lot of it and it looks nice to have all the headstamps the same in a box. I load them all the same and notice no difference when shooting.

Getting a fair amount of SPP Blazer cases. I am starting prime them with a hand primer when I find them as opposed to just tossing them.

Last edited by aspenvalley; 04-18-2017 at 11:50 AM..
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  #12  
Old 04-18-2017, 11:11 AM
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I sort mine according to how many times the case has been reloaded.
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aklon View Post
I sort mine according to how many times the case has been reloaded.
I would like to put so much brass comes in and goes out of my collection because I shoot at indoor ranges most of the time.
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Old 04-18-2017, 2:05 PM
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I do them all together, the only thing I have seen is the slight variation in trim length, I use a Dillon 1500 trimer, also case capacity due to being LC brass.
The current batch of brass (.308) I'm doing has Winchester, lake city, federal, Perfection, and a few other nato cases.

Last edited by Bigedski; 04-18-2017 at 2:07 PM..
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  #15  
Old 04-18-2017, 4:00 PM
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I use mixed cases only.
I have loaded up, say, a hundred rounds and then sorted them by head stamp (such that all were loaded with the same variables and not one set done before another).
What I found time and time again, for 9x19, .38 Super, .45 Auto, and .44 Rem Mag was:
the average groups size was a bit smaller and the standard deviation a bit smaller for the MIXED cases vs the matched cases. It should be noted that by removing the matching head stamps, the mixed cases were truly MIXED with lots of unknown foreign head stamps.
So, I say, it is a waste of time.
But, if you want to, go right ahead. I can't see, despite my findings, that it can hurt anything.
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Old 04-18-2017, 4:25 PM
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Dont sort pistol brass beyond by caliber, primer size, case material, and those stupid shelved 9mm

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  #17  
Old 04-18-2017, 4:48 PM
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Neither. I buy ammo with reloading in mind so I buy a large enough quantity to avoid screening cases. I do not pick up range brass but only my own. If I accidentally pick up someone brass/nickel I give it to them or return it to the ground. I do believe that it is a tad easier on the press & will result in a more consistent crimp. I started the current lot at about 625 cases & am now down to about 570 on it's 5th reloading cycle, I am not going to say that this matters to any degree, it's just what I like to do.

Last edited by '09CTS-V&'87Turbo-T; 04-18-2017 at 4:56 PM..
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  #18  
Old 04-18-2017, 9:03 PM
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I sort by headstamp, but more for aesthetics and load identification.

And anything which might be too hot for some guns gets nickle.
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Old 04-19-2017, 12:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PM720 View Post
I will sort by headstamp to a point. I like to separate the Fed, Win, PMC, BB & if I'm lucky Starline. This is what I use for match ammo. All the other mixed stuff goes into the practice ammo bin. Doing it this way allows me another inspection step, helps get the SPP stuff sorted out as well as the known junk like Amerc and Freedom stepped brass as well as any crimped stuff. Yeah, I know, I'm OCD.

Scott
This is pretty much what I do also.

Once I built up enough of a stash of 9mm (10k-15k) I usually just load one head stamp...usually Federal or Speer. I makes for more even resizing and seating.

I'm even more OCD about .38Spl. Not only do I only load W-W, but I trim them all to a uniform length so I get a uniform roll-crimp
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:42 AM
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I sort everything by headstamp. One more eyes on inspection in the process.

NATO stuff also gets sorted by date.
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  #21  
Old 04-26-2017, 7:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexisjohnson View Post
Hey guys,
I've been recently wondering whether people generally sort their handgun brass by headstamp or if you simply load them in mixed batches?

If you load them mixed, does that have any (negative) results downrange?

Only precision long range pistol shooters sort their handgun brass by weight/headstamp...


In all honesty though, I think pistol shooting is NOT precise enough to really warrant anything past plinking unless you are making some benchrest stuff. But typically speaking I load all.

Go fast ammo means go fast reloading. You go too slow (single stage) with go fast ammo and well, GOOD FOR YOU! Don't ever give me plinking advice though and expect me to take it seriously.

It is just the way it is. If I separated my pistol brass by weight or headstamp, then I would just be wasting time because I doubt it would make any significant improvement on my accuracy or anything else. What I WILL sort on is brass vs nickel plated brass... Then of course, after ammo is made, reasoning behind it is sorted, all plinking or leftover ladders will be moved to plinking batches unless the ladder load is something special.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:58 PM
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Gave it up a long time ago. waste of time in pistols.

I skim through it quickly looking for bad stuff (AMERC, norinco) and sorting 45 primer size then they all go into the tumbler.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:47 PM
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Never sort my cases by headstamp. Pretty much a waste of time for non-precision shooting.

Although I do now need to weed out of my 9mm cases the ****ing **** *** ****sucking Maxxtech and FM cases. What *** clown thought it would be a good idea to put an internal sleeve in their cases deserves to have has face stomped into a curb.

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Old 04-27-2017, 12:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryff View Post
Never sort my cases by headstamp. Pretty much a waste of time for non-precision shooting.

Although I do now need to weed out of my 9mm cases the ****ing **** *** ****sucking Maxxtech and FM cases. What *** clown thought it would be a good idea to put an internal sleeve in their cases deserves to have has face stomped into a curb.


No doubt- WHOEVER is responsible for turning out garbage like that needs a RELEXIT...
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Old 04-27-2017, 6:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryff View Post
Never sort my cases by headstamp. Pretty much a waste of time for non-precision shooting.

Although I do now need to weed out of my 9mm cases the ****ing **** *** ****sucking Maxxtech and FM cases. What *** clown thought it would be a good idea to put an internal sleeve in their cases deserves to have has face stomped into a curb.
Yep!! I'm doing the same thing right now. I've got 52 lbs of brass to go through and pull these little bastards out.

Two other headstamps to watch out for-0 "Ammoload" and "IMT".

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Old 04-27-2017, 6:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryff View Post
Never sort my cases by headstamp. Pretty much a waste of time for non-precision shooting.

Although I do now need to weed out of my 9mm cases the ****ing **** *** ****sucking Maxxtech and FM cases. What *** clown thought it would be a good idea to put an internal sleeve in their cases deserves to have has face stomped into a curb.

Lol tell us how you really feel, no need to sugar-coat it!
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Old 04-28-2017, 4:45 AM
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sort handgun cases...no ....Inspect all cases...absolutely..plunk test all loads..yes
Inspect rifle cases, trim, etc..absolutely.

Inspect rifle for like headstamps, etc...probably as I reload a small amount of rifle ammo (no ar type stuff) so I just enjoy handling the brass.
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Old 05-02-2017, 1:35 AM
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pistol nope just make sure it's safe to shoot as state above and go.

rifle depends.
bulk 223/300/308 absolutely not load and shoot.

for my 223 I have 2 loads. bulk precision and precision.

bulk precision is mixed brass annealed and prepped to the t shoots moa.

precision is sorted by weight or just use lapua.
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Old 05-11-2017, 3:05 AM
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I only sort pistol brass by caliber, not headstamp.

Never noticed any difference.
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