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Do you sort brass by number of firings

Do you sort brass by how many firings it has?

I've been keeping my brass sorted by how many firings it has

I know some people are hesitant to shoot virgin brass in matches so I always shoot once fired brass with shoulders bumped .001 but would it matter if you shoot a relay with part once fired brass and part twice fired brass?

Everything else identical, powder charge, seating depth, lot of bullets, lot of primers
 
I used to try and sort by number of firings but since I got an annealer I don't find it quite as important. I'm also not shooting benchrest or F-Class so I don't feel I need to be quite as picky. i try to keep them within 1-2 firings of eachother for matches though.
 
I used to try and sort by number of firings but since I got an annealer I don't find it quite as important. I'm also not shooting benchrest or F-Class so I don't feel I need to be quite as picky. i try to keep them within 1-2 firings of eachother for matches though.

I don't anneal and I should specify I'm asking for F-Class / FTR
 
Depends on the cartridge, chamber, how much it's sized, and how many extra rounds you load over needed at a time.

If you only need 50 for a weekend shoot, then load maybe 75, and shoot them up before reloading.
Then reload the same number, just before you'll need them again, and fire them all again..

But like I said, it depends. I made the same 50 cases last 3 barrels in 6.5wssm Imp.
This was always shooting up the 50 before reloading all of them.
 
I like to keep track of my length on my cases and trim the whole lot at the same time. If you mix them up there all over the place.
 
Do you sort brass by how many firings it has?

I've been keeping my brass sorted by how many firings it has

I know some people are hesitant to shoot virgin brass in matches so I always shoot once fired brass with shoulders bumped .001 but would it matter if you shoot a relay with part once fired brass and part twice fired brass?

Everything else identical, powder charge, seating depth, lot of bullets, lot of primers

I shoot NRA High Power Long Range (1000 yds) and do not anneal. In short, I would definitely continue to sort your brass by # firings for F-class if you are not annealing.

I have not noticed any change in point of impact when I change between # firings in the middle of a string.

I always sort my brass (Lapua) by # of times fired. I have large batches 600-1000 pcs of brass in each lot. Maintaining segregation by # firings helps with isolating problems if/when they occur. Things like OAL trimming on brass is easier to manage when sorting by # firings. For example, I find that a 308 needs trimming every 3 reloads. From a safety perspective I am able to identify when a batch of brass is in need of a trimming.

Of course neck tension changes with work hardening and that stays more consistent from case to case when they are all fired the same # of times. I have found that neck tension starts to get too erratic after about 9 reloads when I FL size and do NOT anneal. Knowing this helps me plan out when I need to order the next lot of brass and stay ahead of things.

-T
 
My current process is to anneal every 3rd firing. This requires me to track & sort my brass by # of times fired. My current 300 pc of 6 Dasher 7-9X fired brass with .010 necks are still like new. 90-100% of the primer pockets are still tight. Prepping and maintaining my brass has been an expensive learning experience.
Ben
 
Depends on the cartridge, chamber, how much it's sized, and how many extra rounds you load over needed at a time.

If you only need 50 for a weekend shoot, then load maybe 75, and shoot them up before reloading.
Then reload the same number, just before you'll need them again, and fire them all again..

But like I said, it depends. I made the same 50 cases last 3 barrels in 6.5wssm Imp.
This was always shooting up the 50 before reloading all of them.
I do the same, each barrel gets a batch of brass and stays with that barrel, die set and sorted bullets.

For my hunting rifles, I use a batch of 50-200 and use a sharpie in different colour to index the case head;
Black = new unfired
Red = once fired
Blue = twice fired (certain cases are annealed at this point)
Purple = thrice fired
Pink = fourth fired
Green = annealed.

Cheers.
:)
 
I load a batch and label the box with the current date. Oldest batch gets shot next. When necks start splitting that particular box goes to the circular file.
 
I mark each box with the amount of firings/loadings. I note the number when they start to need replacement and discard all brass at that number and buy new.
 
For F class, I make sure each box contains only brass from a single lot when its new. After that, I really don't worry about it. After a few firings some of them get out of sync. It doesn't seem to matter.

For service rifle, I haven't a clue, and don't care.
 
Yes I keep track.

I'll buy a batch, say 500. As I shoot them they move from one bag to another that is marked appropriately. Then prep them all at once.
 
I have plastic boxees of 50 and 100. When I buy new brass it goes into a box and is never mixed. Notes are in the lid, load, times fired, times annealed or any other notes. Once the brass is in a box it stays there until the batch goes to scrap.
 
I anneal after each firing so I don't feel the need to sort brass. Well I do fire new brass separately. Then they all get tossed together. I shoot F-class and not very well at that. lol..
 

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