BEGINNING BRASS PREP???????????????

[cmysix]

45ACP range brass, I have inherited a 20MM AMMO CAN FULL of fired brass all from the same NM shoot same day, NOT ALL the same head stamps, HOW do I go about sorting this? You know how a shoot is, some of this has been walked on, has burrs from the concrete, HAS BEEN IN THE AMMO CAN PROBABLY 50 YEARS, some have little green specks of corrosion on them. OK split cases out! I HAVE a TUMBLER(steel pins)_ and an ULTRA SONIC cleaner, WHERE DO I START? I realize that some will be no good, but if I can use most of it, That would be a great benefit to my IDPA and Bullseye shooting, HOW WOULD YOU PROCESS THIS? I know it may take more time and more steps, but in this economy, it would really help a guy of modest means with his addiction.

 

[old codger]

You are going to have to sort the stuff by hand. Only way to get the damaged stuff out. If it matters to you you can sort by head stamp at the same time. If any of the cases are fairly recent manufacture you will have to sort by large and small primer pocket also. I would run them all thru UT treatment and any which still look bad would go thru the steel pin treatment. I would clean the stuff first and then sort.
I went through almost the same thing about 5 years ago. It is slow but necessary.

 

[762plinker]

45acp brass will last a long long tome in use. i have brass back to 1920's and more in the mid 40's
sort by year and headstamp. regular tumbler with corn cob is fine.
may have crimped primer pockets so check/fix those
load and shoot for bullseye, find a good sized lot and do actual load development.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Probably first a half full 5 gallon bucket wash and rinse, dry outside. Pick out the damage/odd ball cases for recycling.

 

[nakneker]

Range brass will save you money but cost you time. Once I bought the progressive presses I put all my range brass in a dark corner for a rainy day and hope I don’t have to ever use it. I have no idea how you much you shoot but 45 brass lasts a very long time. By the time you factor in how many loads you can get out of a case the true cost of the brass isn’t much at all. The benefit to new is you can control how many head stamps you want, it should be uniform especially when compared to range brass, you can choose small or large primer pocket, brass or nickel and so forth. Finding it isn’t real easy right but it’s out there. Starline has it up right now ready to ship for 117.00 per 500 hundred or 204.00 per thousand. If your time is worth money to you it may be the cheaper route. Just my opinion…..

45 Auto Brass - Large Pistol - Brass Cases

45 Auto +P Brass - Large Pistol - Brass Cases

 

[cmysix]

I really don't think I have to worry about SSP, The reason I'm going to use this is IDPA, not a whole lot of time to pick up my brass, shoot and leave it. Obviously a Bullseye shoot does not ether. as this is evidence of that.

 

[mongo chicago]

For IDPA I wouldn't worry about sorting by head stamps. Check for usable condition, separate large and small primer pockets. Separate military and ream out the crimp. Bullseye matches, especially outdoor (50 yds.) different animal. Just my opinion.

 

[Richard Jones]

Separate the crappy/split/corroded-beyond-tumbling/smashed brass and toss it in the trash. Clean, load and shoot what's left.

 

[RegionRat]

I really don't think I have to worry about SSP, The reason I'm going to use this is IDPA, not a whole lot of time to pick up my brass, shoot and leave it. Obviously a Bullseye shoot does not ether. as this is evidence of that.

The dynamic games don’t lend themselves to collecting your brass, but in Bullseye you can stand up a butterfly net and catch nearly all of it.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Clean it. Lube it. Should be able to pick out any real defective cases as you lube and insert into shell holder. Minor dented necks will come out fine after FL sizing and/or expanding. Really bad dents, I've been known to use a RIFLE case neck to reduce the dent before sizing, or a small shank screwdriver. Scratches caused by concrete/pavement etc will come out during cleaning and or sizing. A small dent will come out after firing. Green will usually come off after cleaning, depending on method .Biggest headache will be removing the crimped cases for crimp removal. If "Match" or commercial brass, there may be no crimped primers. 45ACP reloading is not rocket science. Other than 50 yd Bulleye competition, 45 brass is 45 brass. and if you don't over expand the casemouth, you will find it seems to load forever or til you lose it!
If you don't want it send it to me! I'll even pay shipping!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank

 

[Propbndr]

I had a 50 cal ammo can half full of 30-06 brass. Most of which had military DEV 42 head stamps. A bunch of them had the same green corrosion you describe. I deprimed it, ran it through my ultrasonic cleaner then tumbled it using walnut shells. It cleaned up beautifully but, when I examined each one, I found a bunch had pitting that I could feel with my fingers. I threw all of those away. Some had ”dark” spots that I kept and reloaded. After firing, I have found that none of the spots exhibited any weakness. If I were you, I would do the same with your brass.

 

[std7mag]

I pretty much use nothing but range pickup brass for my pistols.
Clean in walnut & separate out badly dented/creased, corroded/pitted, small vs large primer and any military crimp (haven't run into too many of those) brass/nickle/steel/aluminium.

I have large pretzel containers that i put the different metals in for recycling.

Really doesn't take as much time as you think it will.

 

[Rsadams]

Sort it and bag it up by brand...done...