Mixing Cases

[ectomorph]

Knowing that I would someday start re-loading I have been saving all my brass carefully segregating them by mfg.

At a recent gun show I spoke to a gentleman whose business is selling bulk ammo that he manufactures. He said that there is no problem using mixed brass for re-loads and he showed me some 100 count packs of .38 sp. re-loads that he makes up and sells. The brass in these packs were of several different mfg.

Now I just bought the new edition (8th) of “the ABC’s of Re-Loading” and on page 275 under “tips” they state:
“for the accuracy minded shooter avoid mixing cases of different mfg.”

Any thoughts from the experienced re-loaders out there ???

 

[Geno]

Never mix-'n'-match cases. I keep each brand separate. In addition, when it comes time to actually reload, I have the cases all weighed and separated by 1/10th of a grain increments.

 

[ranger335v]

While it is intutitive that consistancy in all things assists accuracy I think it would be hard to document any significant differences in mixed head stamps in most, if not all, of the best target pistols. In fact, it would be unsual to find much difference when mixing them even in most sporter rifles.

It is often said that mixing cases in high pressure loads could cause a ka-boom, I very much doubt that is true either. IF a reloader has produced a box of cartridges that are already over the top, pressure wise, and just hanging on, a thicker (smaller volume) case might push things too far but that's not normally the way we reload.

I do select my cases and keep them segregated but do it because it increases my confidence, not from any great improvment on targets.

 

[243winxb]

for the accuracy minded shooter avoid mixing cases of different mfg.

And also different lots. This is true in pistol or rifle, if you want the top accuracy from your firearm. And another basic rule that no one follows is "don't use brass fired in a different firearm."

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

I load for plinking purposes only, and separate cases based on caliber and amount of times they ahve beed fired.

With this being said I also use very conservative loading formulas, using only enough powder to operate the action and to avoid any hard batering.

I've had no issues yet.

 

[Globeguy]

I also reload for plinking purposes. Mixed headstamps, fired from all sorts of guns; no problems yet, I drop very conservative amount of powder as well.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Neatness and attention to detail makes for better and safer ammunition. I sort by head stamp and whenever possible, by lot.

 

[SSN Vet]

Never mix-'n'-match cases. I keep each brand separate. In addition, when it comes time to actually reload, I have the cases all weighed and separated by 1/10th of a grain increments.

I think you could say that Doc2005 is an "accuracy minded shooter"

I'm not quite so finacky...

I segregate to the extent that it's easy to do, but don't get hung up on it.

Accept for certain instances when I do find it necessary to segregate.

For example, on .357 reloads, I was having a bugger of a time keeping a consistant OAL and found that all my deviant OALs were on Remington brass. Not that the Rem brass was bad, but it does have a thinner wall thickness and required a slightly different setting on the crimp die.

Another example is the Mil. Surp. Lake City Brass for 5.62 NATO. Not only are the primer pockets crimped, but the brass is thicker than any of the commercial brass for .223 Rem to the extent that the volume will be less (and resultant pressure higher). This brass not only has to be handled seperately to swage or ream the primer pockets. But it also may require developing a different load.

When I reload "blasting" ammo. for my AK, I don't distinguish between the Win and FC brass.

 

[Jim Watson]

Years ago, I read where the Police Marksman's Association got a sample of Perfection .38 Special ammo to test. They said they did not expect much out of it, loaded in mixed brass. But shot from a rest, it was just as accurate as anything else, factory or same brass reloads.

I would be wary of gun show reloads even if they were in same headstamp brass.

 

[Geno]

Yes, Sir. I am guilty over precision shooting. For me, it's actually fun to be so meticulous. If one is reloading just to save money, and/or load some plinkers, why not mix and match.

 

[~z]

For precision rifle stuff, yes, for for pistols, not so much. I tried it quite diligently and found little difference. If you loads are for bulls eye pistol competition, yes, squeeze everything out of it you can.
~z

 

[ilbob]

For the ultimate in precision, you need to make everything the same as much as you can.

For plinking ammo, or IPSC shooting, it won't matter one bit.

Even bullseye pistol shooters will have a hard time telling much difference unless you are very good.

For most rifle shooters, it is not going to matter. For benchrest shooters, they might see a slight difference.

 

[GunTech]

Just don't mix military and commercial brass. Military brass is typically much thicker and has a smaller internal volume. It's good practice to reduce you loads in military brass.

 

[rcmodel]

Except that I have 1,000 commercial Remington .223 cases that have less volume then the GI issue LC 5.56 brass I have loaded for years.

Sorting brass may or may not be necessary for pistols.
I happen to think it is, especially in 9mm.

There are a gazillion companies making 9mm ammo all over the world, and more variation in brass specs then you can shake a stick at.
It's nearly impossible to load good mixed-brass 9mm ammo with so much variation in case mouth thickness, etc.

Moving on to center-fire rifles, if you don't sort brass by brand, then you are only getting partial performance & accuracy out of your rifle.
There is way too much variation with them to get consistent pressures, bullet pull, concentric bullet run-out, etc.

rcmodel

 

[ectomorph]

This is what makes this forum great. Ask a question in the morning and by noon a dozen folks pitching in to help. Thanks to all for your views.

After reading all the input I’ve decided to continue segregating my brass by Mfg. and number of times re-loaded .
It kinda satisfies my Obsessive-Compulsive tendencies !!! and who knows it might even make me a better shooter.

 

[ants]

I think ectomorph understands the value of making your own choices in your hobby. If you want to segregate, do it to your heart's content.

ectomorph - When you start reloading, do a controlled experiment with your own various calibers. Compare mixed brass to matched brass in each gun. You will then draw your own conclusion for each caliber and gun you own. Sometimes it matters, sometimes it doesn't. Everybody else's answer won't matter any more.

 

[45ACPUSER]

I am detail orientated with rifle brass, but years and years of loading for plinking and target purposes....for the 45ACP it makes no real difference...I shoot 45ACP brass till it splits....and it lasts a long long time! I have stuff I have been loading for over 20 years...I do sort for my 625's only because the rim gets beat up from extraction in the semi autos...WW and Fed are loaded for 625's and all else is for the autoloaders!

I have Lapua 308 brass that has been loaded 17X and looks great! Nice snug primer pockets! You treat the brass right and it lasts and lasts!

For high powered handgun loads ie 44 or 357 mag I keep track of the brass and only shoot one head stamp!



For the 9mm I do not sort just clean and inspect and throw into on big pail.

 

[evan price]

Pistol brass, for range target use, I load whatever I grab, 1X rfired, 10x fired, WIN, CCI, R-P, ??? Who cares... I load at reasonable levels and to enjoy the benefits of the slight variations in case lots is just too anal for me to bother with. I get 3" at 25' and that's good enough for me off hand.

I lose my semiauto brass before I ever split them. I'm not marking cases any more.

If I were a competition shooter at high levels of the sport, making every detail count is important. Blasting milk jugs in a gravel pit? Not so much...

 

[Bitswap]

For pistol brass like 9mm, I wouldn't sweat it. Never seen match prep for those anywhere, but doesn't mean they don't exist. Powder and bullets will probably make the biggest difference in accuracy there.

Now for shouldered match prep, it's an entirely different story.

 

[DWARREN123]

I like to keep my Remington and Winchester brass seperate but everything else goes into the same batch. I don't reload for super accurate target shooting and have not seen any difference in mixed brass reloading.
Just my experience, I reload 40 S&W for Glocks.