Do you sort brass by number of firings

[Tony1320]

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

 

[Pvt.Donut]

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.

 

[Tony1320]

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

 

[dmoran]

@Tony1320
For your scenario's, and from my own experience, you most definitely want to keep the "work hardening" equalized.
For consistency in seating force and bullet release, it's a must !.!.!
Good Luck

 

[Tony1320]

@Tony1320
For your scenario's, and from my own experience, you most definitely want to keep the "work hardening" equalized. For consistency to seating force and bullet release, it's a must !.!.!
Good Luck

Thank you for the info

 

[mikecr]

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.

 

[Rsadams]

I keep them in groups , so I know how many times that group has been fired...

 

[Liven The Dream]

Times fired , Brand and weight.
Small and Large Primer

 

[L.Sherm]

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.

 

[Hengehold]

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

 

[BenPerfected]

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

 

[MagnumManiac]

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.

 

[Tommie]

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.

 

[mongo chicago]

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.

 

[dcali]

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.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I keep my cases separated by number of firings. I also anneal every firing.
So far I have one batch with 18 firings and another with 3 firings. So I feel it is important to keep them separate.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have to add...green on brass cases in poor light can be confusing. It’s easy(ier) to see if you prime with nickel primers.

Cheers.

 

[LVLAaron]

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.

 

[Iowa Fox]

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.

 

[DirtySteve]

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..