Sorting Brass

[SSgt G Cody]

Personally, I bring all my brass back from range, dump into a big box, and when I have enough dirty brass to load at least a couple hundred reloads, I de-prime, then tumble clean the whole box of brass. Then I re-size to fit my gun, trim and process as needed, and proceed to reload. I prefer to keep all my brass from the same headstamp, lot, etc., but I do sort by weight before first reload. My loads group within .3MOA, so I feel no need to check volume. Also, I never load overfull and/or compressed loads! The US factory standard is to maintain 85-90% powder fill of available case capacity! With the case only 90% filled, case capacity is pretty much a moot point! Why waste your time?

 

[Philward]

I'm not sure how anyone sorts by lot numbers, cases aren't id'd that way except on the box or bag they come in. Keeping those separated is up to the shooter/reloader.

 

[Mikecr]

I'm not sure how anyone sorts by lot numbers, cases aren't id'd that way except on the box or bag they come in. Keeping those separated is up to the shooter/reloader.

You're right. The only way I can keep it right is to buy enough new brass in-lot for each barrel in use. That is, enough up front for the life of a given barrel. I rarely need to replace brass. So it's real easy for me to estimate & manage this.

The last time I replaced brass was with Norma, where pockets opened on me. Will never used Norma again..