Why mark primers?

[aerod1]

I noticed some reloaders mark the case head across the primer with a felt tip pen. Why do they do this?

 

[Claude Clay]

when they shoot in competition they can identify their brass. may also color code for # of times the case has been reloaded.

 

[lgbloader]

I do that too. It causes less arguements since you can clearly I.D. your brass from someone elses.

 

[dakotasin]

i do it to identify which cartridges are practice, and which are ready to hunt. if it has a stripe on it, i do not expect the cartridge to be as precise as the ones with no stripe.

 

[Mt Shooter]

I do that, I have a large plastic tub that the reloads go into. After they pass the gage test they go into plastic 100 round boxes (you know the ones) I then mark the primer end with a marker. This tells me they have passed the Gage test and it also marks the case as mine at the match. I have had this happen a few times when I have been done shooting the stage and someone will come up and hand me a few of my brass, it has my mark on it. Wont stop the brass thief's totally but they know its mine.

 

[Kayback]

Mine gets a coat of pink.

Thanks to my GF who started marking her 9x19mm with a pink paint tip pen. Changed mine from a red K to a half pink. And We are the only people on the range with pink marked brass. You'd be suprised at how easy it is to find my brass Very few people want to walk off with pink .45ACP and 9x19mm brass.

And the people have even stopped making fun on me.


KBK

 

[Wildfire]

All are right.

Hey there;
I have done this for years when testing different loads. Tells me who is who.

 

[Jim Watson]

I mark the primer to code for different loads being shot, red, black, green, blue, blank. If I have a lot of things to test, I will spot or band the bullets themselves to show more combinations. Fire the shot and decap the empties and the markings are gone, no risk of confusion with the next batch.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I mark the primer to code for different loads being shot, red, black, green, blue, blank. If I have a lot of things to test, I will spot or band the bullets themselves to show more combinations. Fire the shot and decap the empties and the markings are gone, no risk of confusion with the next batch.

I do the same..on occasion I write the difference on the case body with a sharpie also.

 

[GaryL]

I've marked mine when doing load testing so I can compare the cases for pressure signs and cleanliness when I retrieve them. It also helps to avoid confusing different loads if the cases somehow get mixed up.

We all know how Murphy likes to show up and spoil the day just as you're getting started on a test session after having spent a couple hours making test loads, driving to the range, and getting all setup.

Edit: I forgot to add that I code them so if Murphy does make an appearance I can restore order and continue on.

 

[KeithET]

I have marked mine for many of the same reasons others have noted above. Its just a handy way to identify my brass from others or to code what load I am testing/using.

 

[Win52D]

I mark mine to indicate which load I used. Marking the box works but if for some reason the loads get jumbled (as in my 45ACP) then it is easy to identify.

 

[RustyFN]

I do it but use different colors so that if the box gets dropped and they all get mixed up I can tell what the powder charge is just by the color of the primer.
Rusty

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hey there;
I have done this for years when testing different loads. Tells me who is who.

I mark the primer to code for different loads being shot, red, black, green, blue, blank. If I have a lot of things to test, I will spot or band the bullets themselves to show more combinations. Fire the shot and decap the empties and the markings are gone, no risk of confusion with the next batch.

I've marked mine when doing load testing so I can compare the cases for pressure signs and cleanliness when I retrieve them. It also helps to avoid confusing different loads if the cases somehow get mixed up.

I do it but use different colors so that if the box gets dropped and they all get mixed up I can tell what the powder charge is just by the color of the primer.
Rusty

I agree with all the above reasons and methods for marking loads and have done the same. It's a very easy method of keeping things from getting mixed up without having to have a dozen different boxes on hand.

 

[nambu1]

I mark the primers of reloaded ammo that the primers seated too easily. After I shoot them, they go in the recycle bin.

 

[243winxb]

as above + If the case is to be scrap after firing it gets a mark. And the longest case of 20 or 50 cases gets marked. I adjust my crimp die on the longest case for pistol roll crimps. For rifle i don't crimp,but want the longest case just touching the crimp area in the die. This keeps the case mouth in alignment when seating the bullet, less runout.

 

[lordgroom]

I had a Murphy's Law experience when working up a load which caused me to start over completely and lose the day's worth of wor-up data. Since then I have marked the primer with different color sharpies. I then do a double check system before and after each firing for load development.

 

[chbrow10]

Kayback,

The paint doesn't get all over the inside of the gun?

Chris

 

[DEDON45]

I mark the primers with different symbols with a sharpie when I work up a load... each different charge gets a different marking.

 

[moooose102]

i mark mine to differenciate between types of loads, blue for reduced loads, red for hot loads, green for hunting loads, purple for self defense loads, and in some cases, a combination (red primer w/ green around it would indicate a hot hunting load). just helps me identify them in a hurry, or if i accidently mix them up or drop a couple of plastic boxes at the same time (or the kids get into things they shouldnt) .

 

[rcmodel]

Kayback,
The paint doesn't get all over the inside of the gun?
Chris

I was thinking the same thing.
Looks awful thick on the case heads to me, and bound to flake off on the breachface.

Think I'll stick with Magic Markers!

rcmodel

 

[scrat]

i put a number on the case head. that way i can reference that cartridge to a specific load. At the range your looking for accuracy and recoil. i write down the number and how it was. At home i inspect the cases to let me know how the charge was. So identifying the case tells a lot.

 

[cpttango30]

I will mark mine when I do a ladder when working up a load.

Low gets nothing next step gets one line, then two lines, then 3 lines then an X for 4th set of 5.

I will sometimes marke the side of the case as well with one two three four or five small lines.

Doing so allows me to see which load in my book I am shooting anf then allows me to inspect brass at home under good light to see if there is any problems with the loads.

 

[cpttango30]

I will mark mine when I do a ladder when working up a load.

Low gets nothing next step gets one line, then two lines, then 3 lines then an X for 4th set of 5.

I will sometimes marke the side of the case as well with one two three four or five small lines.

Doing so allows me to see which load in my book I am shooting anf then allows me to inspect brass at home under good light to see if there is any problems with the loads.