Identify Your Brass... How?

[Gary H]

I have been using a thick marker to I.D. my brass .. This color is Starline..

I just started shooting IDPA and I have found that the fast pace leaves little time for finding brass. In order for me to find a high percentage of my brass, I really need to color 2/3 of the case. This is very time consuming. Anyone have a creative solution?

 

[BEARMAN]

I shoot IPSC and the method I use to get my brass back is, I use a permanent black marking pen . When the brass is in my cartridge boxes , I mark an X on the base. When we pick up brass , mine is recognized as the black X , others use different colors or just one line across the base. Be sure to use permanent ink, as the semi-permanent when it gets wet comes off on your hands and then becomes permanent. The X's polish off in the polisher so it has to be done each time . Hope this helps.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Well, Sonny, back in the olden days - - -

- - - When practically EVERYONE in IPSC used a .45, there were some pretty imaginative marking patterns in use. I ended up using a permanent black Marks-a-Lots to color extractor groove and a single red strips accross the case head and primer. Could see the black groove from 'most any angle, without having to look at the base.

That was in late 70s and early 80s.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Mike Irwin]

Try dipping the case mouths or bases in Birchwood Casey Brass Black.

It will result in a 2-tone case that will be easy to identify.

 

[Jim Watson]

I saw an ad last year for a little jig that held one or two markers. Just twirl the round in a V groove against the marker tips and get a colored band or bands around the case. Easy to see from any angle, IF it didn't rub off in chambering, firing, and extraction. I will try some hand striped ones at the next shoot to see if it is worthwhile to buy or make the holder.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Brass Colors

Well I guess the topic got us moderators and senior members involved.
Hi Johnny!

Back in 60's in police competition before permanent markers were common I used red or black grease pencils and a automotive antenna with a short bend at the end to retrieve brass forward of the firing line while bored waiting on all of the slowpokes to finish firing.

Most officers had nickle plated casings so I went with brass ones to help mine look different and the grease pencil stuck better to the brass than the nickle surfaces.

Fitz

 

[Sven]

I bring several sharpies in my range bag, and draw a line across the top - hopefully a color not in use by others. Hadn't thought about marking them so I could see without picking them up - great call!

Mike: does brass black need to be wiped off after? How does it dry? Is it runny?

 

[The Tourist]

Boy, I must be cheap.

I used 'range scrounged' brass to begin with (I have buckets) and use a Dillon press to crank out a load I've been using for almost 20 years.

I guess I never expected to get 'my' brass back, and now I feel like a cheapskate.

 

[P95Carry]

I think ''Prof'' Mike has it nailed ..... the Birchwood stuff produces a chem change ... it is runny IIRC and probably also a rinse of cases good after dipping .... but tho I ain't tried it (yet!) .. I'd expect this to last and last.

 

[Sven]

Oh, so tumbling wouldn't remove it? That sounds good.

 

[P95Carry]

Never have put it to the test sven ...... but would expect it to be about as stubborn - or more so - than the worst powder burn black streaks ... so I guess it would be reduced .... but take some effort to remove.

Don't quote me!!! part speculation here.

 

[Gary H]

I used 'range scrounged' brass to begin with (I have buckets) and use a Dillon press to crank out a load I've been using for almost 20 years.

I have decided to shoot only range brass with my .45 ACP. The question really came up because I'm reloading .40 for my father. I really don't want to reload range .40. I already have him using Spear Gold Dot ammo, so the case stands out from the brass that populates the grass. This topic really makes me appreciate revolvers with moonclips.

 

[Navy joe]

For a club match? Load up whatever range scrounged 15 times fired crap you have and when it hits the deck leave it. Anything else holds up the show. Only time I pick brass at a match is when I'm done doing set-up and discover someone left 40lbs of commercial Federal .308 brass on the ground.