Is there a Tool to help I'd spp vs lpp for 45 acp brass?

M

Markit

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Ok I know this is going to sound stupid, but I just spent over an hour trying to sort spent spp and lpp 45 acp brass. Got through 1000 or so cases and have about 5k more to go.

My eyes are not the greatest and even with my new glasses there is a bag of about 100 of the 1000 that I am not sure about, and I am pretty sure there are a few that I didn't identify properly. Most are easily identified but some are really hard to tell apart - at least for me anyway.

I know I could just deprime them all and then sort using a primer pocket tool But was wondering if someone makes a tool to assist in identifying them before they are deprimed.

I recently had 5 primers detonate at once as the de capping pin broke on my progressive press and when I was stupidly and unknowingly trying to prime the case that still had the spent primer in the shell that primer and 4 others in the primer feed chute went kafrikenboom. Really don't want to repeat that as my wife had the dickens scared out of her - ok me too :)

Any suggestion are appreciated.

Marc
 
What press are you loading on?

Replacing the swaging rod on a Dillion 1050 with another rood that will detect smaller primer pockets seems to be the common way for high production shooters.

This one has it controlling a green/red light system
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=161542&page=2

I can't find the other guys video from cast boolits, but he did the same thing as above, accept the switch controlled a solenoid to flick the small pistol brass from the shell holder.


I had sort by filling up trays (factory ammo trays I mean) of clean 45acp and flip them bottom side up. I scan a line of 5 at a time for small ones and set them to the side for loading once I have enough.
 
It might be worth a try to set your calipers to the diameter of a large primer, and use that as a reference for comparison....
 
Five thousand? Geezuz, you roll the Brass Fairy?
Don't think there's anything that does it before they're de-primed. Doubt there's a good way either. LP primers are 0.2085" to 0.2120" in diameter. Vs the 0.1730" to 0.1765" of the small.
There are swage gauges, but they run $20US each and come from the States. Never seen 'em here. Haven't looked either. No w's. No exports either.
ballistictools.com/store/reloading-products/case-and-ammunition-gauges
You know any machinists?
Plan 'A' would be a gauge made to max diameter, used after de-priming and a magnifying glass(got one at Princess Auto with alligator clips and a stand for $5. Last Spring I think it was. Think it's a fly tying thingy.).
Plan 'B' would be the same except using your calipers set on the inside side to .2120" and used as a gauge.
 
Other than by eye I can't think of any good way other than some sort of progressive press set up with a decapper and a primer pocket testing stage.

I've got the tired "old guy eyes" issue as well. I found that using one of the big illuminated magnifying lamp things on the articulated arm helps. And even so errors will happen.
 
Grab a large primer pocket cleaning tool, grab a case, try to stick the tool into the primer pocket, if it doesn't fit, it's SPP, toss in the appropriate bin.
 
If your a machinist or know one you could take some 1" angle (flat aluminum type) or U channel and have them cut a long slot the width of a large pistol primer. Then simply fill it with 45cal brass and it should be easy enough to see the smaller pockets. Just need something to hold them in while upside down.
 
Thanks all for the replies and suggestions

I am just going to deprime them all and then sort. What a pain.

Dont want any further primers exploding on the press

Marc
 
I once sorted over 3,000 by eye. I'm sure I missed a few. But on my Dillon 650, those are easily felt when I go to prime the shell: either it won't seat easily or it will be too easy (I load both SPP and LPP, depending on what other caliber is on the list for that week).

Took an old bullet tray that came from a Remington UMC pack of .45's and drilled .210" holes in the center of each and every compartment in the tray, then filled the tray with .45 brass. Turn them over and have a look: the LPP will fill the hole visually whereas the SPP won't. I know it's bubba, but it worked. Now I just sort them as them come in.
 
Melnibonean said:
I once sorted over 3,000 by eye. I'm sure I missed a few. But on my Dillon 650, those are easily felt when I go to prime the shell: either it won't seat easily or it will be too easy (I load both SPP and LPP, depending on what other caliber is on the list for that week).

Took an old bullet tray that came from a Remington UMC pack of .45's and drilled .210" holes in the center of each and every compartment in the tray, then filled the tray with .45 brass. Turn them over and have a look: the LPP will fill the hole visually whereas the SPP won't. I know it's bubba, but it worked. Now I just sort them as them come in.
Click to expand...

even cheaper then my idea, i like it! the trays i'm using have to large of a whole so it's still hard to see some of them as they appear to be large even though they are not.
 
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