Sorting brass

RHarris · March 18, 2001, 09:55 AM

I'm fairly new to reloading. I've got lots of used brass saved up consisting of many different brands. I was wondering if there would be much of a gain in sorting all of this brass out by differnt manufacturers, or if it's better just to leave it all mixed up. It seems there would be an advantage since there would be less variables. Does it matter much?

labgrade · March 18, 2001, 10:40 AM

Fer starters, you better at least sort for caliber.

Answer = depends. For my handguns, other than for some specialty type loadings, I don't bother. Many cast bullet loads for rifle = same thing. For specific rifle hunting rounds or anything where I want to wring out the most accuracy, I do.

Military rifle brass en especial should be separated out as wall thickness is a bit more = less case capacity = higher pressures with same powder weight.

S&W Man · March 19, 2001, 03:40 AM

It takes a little extra time, but I sort all of my brass by the headstamp. Most of the commercial brands are all pretty consistent, but there is one in particular thet is real soft and one real hard. Military brass needs to be sorted so you can work your loads differently as the mil brass is thicker and heavier and you can get overpressure situstions if you are loading the same as commercial cases and load heavy rounds. If you repack your reloads there is also the estics of having the same heads all together.
The biggest thing is - how much time and work do you want to put into it? any extra step takes more time.

The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the constitution!

tonyz · March 19, 2001, 10:26 AM

I Tried shorting brass in 9mm and found that there was no
accuracy gain or functionality difference for my efforts.
I do sort by nickle or brass, this mostly so I can recognize differant loads.I also sort newer brass from brass that has 30+ reloads.

Best Tony

Cheapo · March 19, 2001, 02:25 PM

For practice (generic or lead bullet) handgun rounds, I load 'em all and sort by headstamp later.

For my "good stuff" using JHPs, I use only a specific brand of brass. Gotta sort before loading for that.

For my accuracy requirements, the effort is worth it. At 10 yards or less, the effort is not worth it.

March 19, 2001, 10:26 AM	#4
tonyz Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Location: Wa Posts: 922	I Tried shorting brass in 9mm and found that there was no accuracy gain or functionality difference for my efforts. I do sort by nickle or brass, this mostly so I can recognize differant loads.I also sort newer brass from brass that has 30+ reloads. Best Tony __________________ Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

March 18, 2001, 09:55 AM	#1
RHarris Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2000 Posts: 416	I'm fairly new to reloading. I've got lots of used brass saved up consisting of many different brands. I was wondering if there would be much of a gain in sorting all of this brass out by differnt manufacturers, or if it's better just to leave it all mixed up. It seems there would be an advantage since there would be less variables. Does it matter much?

March 18, 2001, 10:40 AM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Fer starters, you better at least sort for caliber. Answer = depends. For my handguns, other than for some specialty type loadings, I don't bother. Many cast bullet loads for rifle = same thing. For specific rifle hunting rounds or anything where I want to wring out the most accuracy, I do. Military rifle brass en especial should be separated out as wall thickness is a bit more = less case capacity = higher pressures with same powder weight.

March 19, 2001, 03:40 AM	#3
S&W Man Member Join Date: March 4, 2001 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 29	It takes a little extra time, but I sort all of my brass by the headstamp. Most of the commercial brands are all pretty consistent, but there is one in particular thet is real soft and one real hard. Military brass needs to be sorted so you can work your loads differently as the mil brass is thicker and heavier and you can get overpressure situstions if you are loading the same as commercial cases and load heavy rounds. If you repack your reloads there is also the estics of having the same heads all together. The biggest thing is - how much time and work do you want to put into it? any extra step takes more time. The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the constitution!

March 19, 2001, 02:25 PM	#5
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	For practice (generic or lead bullet) handgun rounds, I load 'em all and sort by headstamp later. For my "good stuff" using JHPs, I use only a specific brand of brass. Gotta sort before loading for that. For my accuracy requirements, the effort is worth it. At 10 yards or less, the effort is not worth it.