Why is sorting headstamps so important?

[jeepmor]

The main reason is that case capacity can be different from one mfg to another.

For pistol cases it gives people with OCD something to do.

I used to be OCD like that, but no more. Rifle cases only now.

 

[Walkalong]

The OP asked about pulled 147 Gr FMJ bullets. Sorting cases for them is a total waste of time. There are many good reasons to sort cases, weigh cases, etc, etc, but this isn't one of them.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Many years ago, I had about 1,000 .357 Magnum cases that were so used, they were scratched, and had probably ten different names on the cases, about half nickel-plated, half brass. I had a calm load for my .357 at the time, and didn't bother sorting anything, and never had any problems at all.

I reloaded them over ten times and finally ended up tossing them to buy all new cases.

 

[Slamfire]

The OP asked about pulled 147 Gr FMJ bullets. Sorting cases for them is a total waste of time. There are many good reasons to sort cases, weigh cases, etc, etc, but this isn't one of them.

Agree with that !

Because I am very lazy I often run first order ammunition tests with mixed headstamps.

Bullets and powders are higher order contributors to accuracy. Consistent cases are important, mandatory for long range shooting, but if your bullets are garabage, good cases won’t do a thing for you.

Here is the results of my 100 yard testing with IMI 148 grain surplus bullets, 1968 WRA LC ball, and Hornady bullets. All mixed brass. The IMI bullets and LC ball are beneath contempt. I hit a sweet spot with the hornady 150 FMJ’s in this rifle, does not duplicate to the same extent in other rifles, but given that all I was doing was varying powder and charge, this should show that bullets are more important than cases.


IMI Bullets, first target 40.0 grains IMR 3031, second 41.0 grs IMR 3031





1968 LC Ball



150 FMJ Hornday 41.0 grains IMR 3031

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

I don't use military cases so I can't speak to that, but the only difference I have ever seen is with different brands of bullets of the same weight.. I have had to adjust my powder by 1/2 grain. I have never seen lot to lot differences in powder, primers, bullets of the exact same brand & weight or cases in any of my rifle loads. Contrary to posters above my handguns seem sensitive to case brand differences whereas my rifles are not. That being said I am not a BR competitor with super high $ rifles, but I get amazing accuracy from my milsurp rifles.

 

[FirinFlatTop]

I to also can't help myself from sorting my brass by headstamp. i like it that way.


RC

 

[BADUNAME37]

Wow, that 150g FMJ load is excellent!

 

[Twmaster]

Slamfire1... What rifle was that shot with?

 

[Hizzoner]

I sort my brass because I can't help myself! :banghead:

So true, so true.
Actually a little OCD when reloading isn't a bad thing.
I just bought 500 once fired cases and was glad I sorted them since I found about a dozen or so cases with small primers (mostly Federal).

 

[helotaxi]

fun,wont that dillon pocker swager resize the pockets?

The swager only removes crimps. It can't shrink an oversized pocket.

 

[Twmaster]

I just completed my Saturday evening ritual (that is if I went to the range).

I cleaned and sorted by caliber and headstamp all the brass I collected today. ~500 9MM and ~200 or so other stuff.

I might be OCD....

 

[Slamfire]

Slamfire1... What rifle was that shot with?

It is a Ruger M77 Tactical.

I have pictures of the rifle and the glass bedding process that I had to do to get the thing to shoot straight.

The barrel was fine but the factory bedding was awful. Once bedded it shoots great.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=480098&highlight=Ruger+M77