How to mark or identify test loads?

[Walkalong]

 

[Riomouse911]

When I had a Uberti SAA clone and an old Vaquero in .45 Colt. I marked the “Ruger only load” case heads with a sharpie X so I would know right away they had too much horsepower for the Uberti.

I do put the load data on the boxes with labels as well.

Stay safe.

 

[vaalpens]

I have a load number for each load, like 1430-05. The 1430 is the sequential load number, and the -05 the number of rounds in the load. For my test loads I would just write 430 on the side of each case with a red sharpie. The number is not alway clear after the shot, but I can normally make out the number.

 

[Hondo 60]

I use an "MS Paint" template I made & lay it over the top of a box of ammo.
The box is a 50 rd MTM box

 

[Hugger-4641]

I put my rounds in a zip-lock bag along with a note telling me what is in that batch. You can do as many batches as you can buy zip-locks.

I do the same thing, snack size ziplocks with load data written in sharpie. Case goes back in bag after firing and quick inspection.

 

[FROGO207]

^^^^^^^^ I do the same. Snack sized baggies with three rounds and a paper note. Put the spent rounds back in baggies to inspect later. Always use quart freezer bags with a note to indicate contents when storing ammo also. The note reminds me what to make to replace it later.

 

[lordpaxman]

@Walkalong , that one round with BE going the wrong way ….. ….. ….. Us CDO folks…

I use different methods, if all my MTM boxes are full I use ziplocks and they are reusable. I usually have an MTM 100 round box and label Box Number, Rows and Columns 1-10, then I have a printed load data sheet with the specific load. When I craft the load, I put it in the next available Row/Column, and note that on the load data sheet. When I load 2-3 hundred test loads like 9mm, I’m not going to write on each round.
I also try to load what I’m going to shoot +1. The +1 makes it back to the loading bench, just in case the data from the chrono is inconsistent, I can pull the load and recheck it. Good luck.

 

[Walkalong]

@Walkalong , that one round with BE going the wrong way ….. ….. ….. Us CDO folks…

Yep, me too, in the past I would have wiped it off and redone it, but I'm getting better and better. Still didn't like it though.

 

[milsurpguy]

I put them in a box that loose bullets came in, mark them with a piece of paper saying what they are.

 

[JFrank]

I didn't see where the Op was shooting a pistol or a rifle, nevertheless I also use color but on the bullet ogive that transfers to the target for easy load impact identification.

 

[243winxb]

Marked & sorted by weight.

 

[Thomasss]

Two ways, in plastic shell boxes, I add a post-it note and reference rows staring or ending with the plastic hinge with respect to the test loads. Or sometimes I will just put them in a locking sandwhich bag and magic marker the bag. Sharpies can work, but I like to remember exactly how the test load was created when out at the range.

 

[RougeLeader1]

In addition to marking the box or using a sharpie for small batches, I'll often use new starline brass for my test loads, particularly if it is a heavy or load and/or a cartridge I'm not yet comfortable with. This is done for two reasons. First, new brass is less likely to be thinned or exhibit cracking/pitting. Second, I always inspect my handloads at the range just as a second sanity check before I put them into a mag/cylinder. If I see a starline stamp I know right away that somehow one of my test loadings was mixed into my ammo supply. I then close the box and either shoot other ammunition or go home.

So far this has only happened once about three years ago, but I still keep it as my standard practice.

I should mention that the starline stuff I reserve for testing. After two firings I get rid of it just to keep the system going.

 

[AK Hunter]

It's nothing fancy but it is easy to do. I must have lost one of the first round.

 

[irishlad]

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I do it the same.

 

[Dudedog]

I use colored sharpies.
A pack of 8 wide tip ones from Wally world is about $8
Had Light Bule, Blue, Light Green, Green, Red, Black, Purple, Orange

I mark the bases of the cases, then make a sticky label with the code, Blue=4, Green= 4.2 etc.
This is also handy if for some reason you decide to dump them out and mix them up.......(I tested this just to be sure)

https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Perm...ocphy=9031695&hvtargid=pla-311784745431&psc=1

 

[dcloco]

I write ALL of the load info on the case.

If performing a modified Audette load ladder, I write the load info on the first case (powder, primer, bullet, seating depth, charge, Full/Neck size) and only write the powder charge on the next cases in order.

 

[DMW1116]

Yep, I use sharpies now, after spilling a tray of 223 test loads. Even mixed up they all shot pretty well. I like to think they’d have shot even better if they’d have been grouped by charge weight. This thought makes me want to try them again, which I plan to reload tonight.

 

[splattergun]

I used to use a colored marker on the heads, but that was too slow. Now I use a stamp pad.
One color is my standard loads (I always know which brass is mine), another color(s) for trial loads. Fast, easy, reliable, and never any issue of ink damaging my guns.
As always, the load data is on a note in the baggie or box.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Another easy way to do this is when the cases are in the loading block, just put a big sharpie on the case and spin the case 360º to put a nice, thick mark around the case above the case web. Real easy to see. You can even use multiple colors.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

Anyone have a good method for marking cases for easy identification and inspection of test loads?

Does marking the head with a colored sharpie pose any risk of damage to the firearm?

I shoot at an indoor range and it’s not always easy to retrieve my test loads to inspect the cases after firing.

I use colored sharpies and have for years. Works like a charm.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I used to use a colored marker on the heads, but that was too slow. Now I use a stamp pad.
One color is my standard loads (I always know which brass is mine), another color(s) for trial loads. Fast, easy, reliable, and never any issue of ink damaging my guns.
As always, the load data is on a note in the baggie or box.

What kind of stamp pad?

 

[higgite]

For work-up loads, I mark “spokes” on the case head with a Sharpie, like spokes on a wagon wheel, with the primer as the hub. Load #1 will have one spoke, #2 has 2 spokes at 180*, #3 has 3 spokes at 120*, #4 has 4 spokes at 90*. If there is a #5 (has only happened twice), it gets a blackened primer. Then I label the box with masking tape, identifying which load is what.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have seldom compared so many loads that red, blue, green, black, and blank spots on the primer were not enough. On that rare occasion, I have put two colors on the bullet itself.

If I mark the case, it is usually "P D" for Pop and Drop, a round that did not pass the gauge but will probably chamber for practice one last time.

 

[irishlad]

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I was just curious how those 3.0 grs of W231 9mm cycled. Thanks