Felt marker for marking brass

[windy]

I load for two different wild cat cartridges both based off of the 270 winchester case. Can I use a black felt marker to write the name of the cartridge along the length of the brass without any adverse effects to brass life. Both cartidges are very similar, 256 Newton and 6.5-06 and I dont want to mix them up.
Windy

 

[windy]

Sorry, I meant I use 270 winchester brass. I understand that they are based off of the 30-06.
windy

 

[Hotwheels81]

You can but I've had mixed results with the marker staying on the case... I've found it works better when you mark bullets with color code instead of the cases when dealing with loaded ammo...

 

[bigedp51]

Felt tip markers are used all the time for marking cartridge cases and I have never had any adverse effects and have NEVER heard of anything bad about felt tip markers and ammunition.

 

[saskgunowner101]

You could also just give the bottom a swipe with different colors. Say, neon green for the Newton, and red for the 6.5-06. Or other colors, those just sounded fun.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I use the colour markers all the time to identify different brass with load diferences no problem

 

[444shooter]

Been marking primers for many years. No issues.

 

[infideleggwelder]

sharpie, comes off when you clean the case

 

[LUTNIT]

I've used sharpies on brass without issue like everyone else.
Writing the actual numbers sounds time consuming though; I'd go with the coloured head idea. I'd get plastic boxes in two different colours (such as green MTM and blue Plano) and use one colour for each cartridge, clearly label the boxes with a marker on multiple sides, and also put a swipe of colour across the case heads as further identification. Green marker for the cartridges kept in the green MTM boxes and blue marker for the cartridges kept in the blue Plano boxes for example).

Blue and green might be too similar... maybe red and green? Opposite colours will be much more difficult to mix up than adjacent colours.

 

[Ganderite]

You obviously understand Murphy's law.

I faced a similar problem with 270 and 7mm Remington. I found the solution was to buy a batch of nickled brass for the 7mm.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

Permanent marker on the case head.

I do it for brass that doesn't have the proper head stamp. Works fine.

 

[Armored Metal]

+1 for sharpies. I use them on the primer when working-up a load.

 

[b72471]

I have tried the sharpies route and didn't care for it, if you handle the brass much it comes off. Soooo went to CLEARLY MARKING the shell boxes, masking tape and sharpie.
Enjoy

 

[Vincent1213]

I use a black sharpie all the time when doing load developemenr. Different colors does sound quickenand easier.

 

[crazy_davey]

I have used these for a very long time, load info, how many times brass is used etc..



It comes off next time the brass gets cleaned.

 

[boltonscouter]

I mark rounds for load development all the time ... just to make sure there's never any confusion. It can rub off if faintly applied or handled a bunch but for careful handling & loading, no worries. Tumbles off easy peasy!

 

[labrador76]

I also use a fine point sharpie, but I write on the case wall in the small area between the case head and where the FL die stops on its way down. Seems to be less likely to get rubbed off down there.

 

[Clotho]

Is there a way to permanently color / mark / dye brass so that it doesn't come off when cleaning? I make custom brass for a number of antique calibers and have been looking for a method to tell them apart.

 

[Dogleg]

I mark rounds for load development all the time ... just to make sure there's never any confusion. It can rub off if faintly applied or handled a bunch but for careful handling & loading, no worries. Tumbles off easy peasy!

Me too. You only have to spill an MTM box full of test loads a few times, or be sitting at the bench staring at a cartridge and trying to remember which row you pulled it out of, before you start wondering if there isn't a better way.

Sometimes I don't tumble my cases and just load them again, esp if I'm doing load development. In those instances I wipe the lube of with alcohol and it takes the marker ink right off.

 

[HuntersStand]

Birchwood Casey Brass Black painted on with a small brush might be a more durable option than a marker.