Brass weight variation???

hubcap500 · July 25, 2015, 09:07 PM

I did a random weight check on my 40SW brass (assorted headstamps). It was cleaned and unprimed--just the brass. I checked the case length and they were the same, but as much as 10.5 grains difference

!!! Is that too much? I don't usually sort handgun brass, but should i?

Metal god · July 25, 2015, 10:11 PM

You know I'd say 10+ grains difference in rifle brass and you may want to start considering that when loading . 10+ grains difference in a little tiny pistol brass seems like a lot to me . I have no answer for you but I find that odd . Did you notice if the cases that were 10gr different all had the same head stamp ?

jag2 · July 26, 2015, 12:19 AM

Does seem odd but can't see what difference it would make. Never even thought about what a piece of brass weighs. Looked in a couple of reloading manuals, they have drawings and all sorts of dimensions but none mention case weight.

PA-Joe · July 26, 2015, 06:51 AM

You said it right here (assorted headstamps). Each maker uses different thickness brass so yes they will be different. That is why we say use the exact recipe including case, primer, bullet and powder. Military brass is much thicker and therefore they have less capacity resulting in high pressures.

John0011 · July 26, 2015, 07:04 AM

I load 40 S&W and did that once, and there was quite a bit of difference.
I think the RP were the lightest.

hubcap500 · July 26, 2015, 06:59 PM

There was *some* consistency within headstamps, but not that much.

ReloaderClark · July 27, 2015, 01:21 AM

If loading for extreme accuracy, I would think the brass weight variation might make a difference in the consistency of your grouping. If you are not competing, but are a fun and close defense shooter (like me) I would think it would not make a lot of difference.

July 25, 2015, 09:07 PM	#1
hubcap500 Junior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Posts: 8	Brass weight variation??? I did a random weight check on my 40SW brass (assorted headstamps). It was cleaned and unprimed--just the brass. I checked the case length and they were the same, but as much as 10.5 grains difference!!! Is that too much? I don't usually sort handgun brass, but should i?

July 25, 2015, 10:11 PM	#2
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,135	You know I'd say 10+ grains difference in rifle brass and you may want to start considering that when loading . 10+ grains difference in a little tiny pistol brass seems like a lot to me . I have no answer for you but I find that odd . Did you notice if the cases that were 10gr different all had the same head stamp ? __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

July 27, 2015, 01:21 AM	#7
ReloaderClark Junior Member Join Date: July 23, 2015 Posts: 2	Pistol brass weight variation If loading for extreme accuracy, I would think the brass weight variation might make a difference in the consistency of your grouping. If you are not competing, but are a fun and close defense shooter (like me) I would think it would not make a lot of difference.

July 26, 2015, 12:19 AM	#3
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 779	Does seem odd but can't see what difference it would make. Never even thought about what a piece of brass weighs. Looked in a couple of reloading manuals, they have drawings and all sorts of dimensions but none mention case weight.

July 26, 2015, 06:51 AM	#4
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	You said it right here (assorted headstamps). Each maker uses different thickness brass so yes they will be different. That is why we say use the exact recipe including case, primer, bullet and powder. Military brass is much thicker and therefore they have less capacity resulting in high pressures.

July 26, 2015, 07:04 AM	#5
John0011 Member Join Date: March 28, 2015 Posts: 59	I load 40 S&W and did that once, and there was quite a bit of difference. I think the RP were the lightest.

July 26, 2015, 06:59 PM	#6
hubcap500 Junior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Posts: 8	There was some consistency within headstamps, but not that much.