Brass Sorting ??

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schmeky

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I love to reload almost as much as I like to shoot (almost!!). However, I HATE sorting fired brass, it's dirty and time consuming the way I do it.

Is there a better way than the one piece at a time method I've always used?
 
I've been hand sorting range brass for around 25 years. It is one more time I get to look at a case and maybe scrap it. Yea, it's a pain sometimes, but I'll keep doing it. :)
 
Nope. There are caliber sorting systems, but sorting by head stamp is still an eye on case head process. Of course if you don't mind mixing your brass then have at it. I will continue to consider sorting by head stamp as part of a very fun hab...Aah...Hobby...Besides. Sorting one case at a time insures you at least inspect the case once before reloading it...
 
I made some custom case sorters, I can separate .45 .40 9mm .223 .38 fairly easily. There is a Shellsorter.com that does the same thing. Mine are a bit different than those.

A sorter of some type will make a big difference. Your energy will be conserved for later. A mechanical sorter cuts human error. I can sort 1000's per hour. The #1 thing i think is don't overload the sorter

I still get dirty but not as much. Less movement, Less wear & tear on my hands. Eye strain is less.

You still have to look for 9's stuck in .40 and .40 stuck in .45. Dirt, debris & wet cases will be there as will .380. Steel & alum cases and things like small primer .45 or berdan .223 will still need to be dealt with. A strong magnet solves the steel problem.

Larger rifle brass is another deal. I tend to get smaller quantities at once & often it is not mixed in with the pistol & smaller bottlneck.
 
If you're asking about sorting pistol cases by size, the www.shellsorter.com works good and is cheap. Cheap nitrile mechanics gloves from Harbor Freight will keep your hands clean.

Sorting by headstamp will always be one at a time by hand, I'm afraid.
 
Kids or grandkids work cheap if available. :D I sort all mine by hand for an extra chance to look them over. Anything split will have a different sound and it is easier to deal with nesting that way. For as often as it has to be done, I just set some time aside on afternoon to go through it all and do it. Lay out a towel on the table and dump a bunch out. Sort into coffee cans and store till time to wash and tumble.
 
I've been hand sorting range brass for around 25 years. It is one more time I get to look at a case and maybe scrap it. Yea, it's a pain sometimes, but I'll keep doing it.
Click to expand...

+1.

I've taken to cleaning, depriming/sizing, final polishing, sorting/storing all range brass. Clean brass makes defects easier to spot and although the additional prep work can be a nuisance, it's also an opportunity to avoid problems down the line.
 
Thanks for the tip on the shell sorters. I plan on ordering a set next week. It would be easier, IMHO, to sort by caliber first, then sort by head stamp.

I start making mistakes if I try to sort to many in a single sitting.
 
I have a large plastic postal tray that I dump it into and go from one side to the other, picking out large, small, rifle, revolver, etc. and then hand sort looking for Berdan headstamps and split/damaged cases.

QC requires a hand sort. If you have one of those Sharch brass machines it will do it for you but I don't have ten large laying around...
 
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