tracking brass

[WestKentucky]

I have never had head separation. I have .270 win brass with at least 30 loads but no issues with them. I full length size every time, every case though so I know I'm wearing more on them than is necessary. I quit counting my loading a when I started picking up range brass and bought a pile of loaded rounds at 25 cents per shot (powerpoint? old stock wwb). I gather that I'm lucky in not seeing separation yet but I'm not overly concerned. I have had worse things happen and came through them alright.

 

[Elkins45]

I have never had head separation. I have .270 win brass with at least 30 loads but no issues with them. I full length size every time, every case though so I know I'm wearing more on them than is necessary. I quit counting my loading a when I started picking up range brass and bought a pile of loaded rounds at 25 cents per shot (powerpoint? old stock wwb). I gather that I'm lucky in not seeing separation yet but I'm not overly concerned. I have had worse things happen and came through them alright.

rcmodel's paperclip test is still worth doing, if only to save you the trouble of lugging a rifle to the shooting range only to have it made useless until you can pull the front half of a separated case out of the chamber.

 

[1SOW]

For pistol brass:
I have quite a lot and don't want to shoot the same ones over and over again., and I sort by headstamps.
I store them in coffee containers labelled "A" through "K" or whatever for that headstamp. When "A" is empty I go to "B" etc. etc. They all get shot before returning to "A" for a second go-round. The lost brass and once fired I pick up partially renews each container.

 

[kostner]

I try to keep track of my 5.56/223 brass that has been trimmed by using a black marker on the case side. Always picking up arrange brass so it saves time not having to trim same brass again. Don't trim or short hand gun brass just use till it splits.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't.
After tumbling I inspect each case carefully for splits and I also use the paperclip trick to check for impending case head separation. I have too much brass to try and keep up with how many times things are fired. Not worth it to me.

 

[J_McLeod]

Those that use a papercip, do you check every case with it? If not, what do you look for?

 

[cfullgraf]

Those that use a papercip, do you check every case with it? If not, what do you look for?

On a regular basis, I do not check with the paper clip. Cases fail for other reasons before the head separates or I lose the case in the weeds.

I use a piece of stiff wire, .062" diameter with a flat ground on the "ell" section, as i find a paper clip too flexible.

Two exceptions. My 22 Hornet separates the case head on a regular basis but a bright ring shows up in the case before it separates. Also, my 22 Hornet is a single shot so no chance of loading another cartridge on top of the separated case.

The second, i bought a batch of once fired 308 Winchester cases. Some separated after a loading or two. I checked them with the wire and found many ready to fail. The lot was scrapped and so much for getting a bargain on cases.

As you drag the wire along the wall of the case, you will feel low spot in the case wall that is not supposed to be there. I find it is subtle at times and difficult to feel.