Keeping track of brass firings?

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Kevlak

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Hey all,

Just curious to know how many of you keep track (and keep separated) the amount of how many times you fire your brass? I recently moved and some of the brass happen to mix together but not all is why I'm asking this question, about 50 308 brass mixed together, some two some three firings.

Kevin
 
No I don't run at max load, target loads way under (41gr h4895 berger 155gr) and hunting loads just over half (44gr h4895 ttsx 150gr) , all winchester brass.
 
I try and keep mine together in groups and simply mark on the load info every time I reload them. I usually neck size so when I FL size them I make a special note. I actually print off my own Labels to record the Load info I want. Across the bottom of the label there is numbers 1 to 17 every time I neck size them I make a mark across the number and if I full size I make FL below the number I put a mark through.

 
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I'm totally a new starter on reloading but did some reading; I think as RePeTe mentioned if you are not loading near max and/or if you are not running on the edge of the super precise shooting (like less then 0.5 MOA) I don't think it really makes much of a different if your brass is shot twice or three times. By the way I'm also planning to separate the brasses not because I'll load to max or I'm aiming <0.5 MOA (actually I'd be happy with sub MOA :) ).
 
I have kept track of streight walled 38 cases just to see if or when it starts to deterioate so far 11 reloads and counting, not sure the max (low target loads)
 
Will they start to crack after FL sizing or just watch for issues after every firing (which i do anyways, let's the barrel cool down)?
 
I put a mark in the case head with a thread file every time they are trimmed ( 4 ), when they need a fifth trimming I chuck them, had no failures doing it this way for 30+ years.
 
I keep track of the straight walled pistol brass as to the number of times loaded and by headstamp. I just do this to try to achieve a more consistent crimp across each "batch".
 
I use MTM plastic cases and keep a folded record sheet in each case. I keep track of all the load data on the card and as a result also how many times they've been loaded. I use a simple chart I made in Excel in five minutes that I print out. Also lets me keep track of sizing, annealing, and trimming. I only do this for my precision ammo; all my plinking ammo goes in Ziploc bags and I just toss cases as they split. If a whole batch starts to look haggered I toss it all in the scrap box.

A neck will usually split on firing. You can get lateral cracks at the bends at the shoulder and neck or vertical cracks. The vertical cracks don't usually go below the shoulder. You can also get splits or cracks in the body or just above the web. 303 British for example are well known for case head separation from cracks above the web.
Sometimes when a case splits it'll be a flyer and other times it wont, seems completely random to me.
 
My 308 ammo is carried in 50 round plastic boxes. Inside the box cover is a piece of masking tape. It notes the sort weight of that box of brass and there is a tick mark each time it gets loaded.

One box of Winchester brass got loaded 20+ times.
 
Good timing on this question.

I've recently started logging all my brass-related activities (neck/full sizings, outside turning, annealing, loading, etc.) to enable more detailed analyses of how different prep regimens might affect accuracy (and/or brass longevity).

Basically, each batch of brass is segregated into its own group and stays in its own 50 round MTM box unless it's a) in the process of being fired, or b) in the tumbler/being prepped along with its 49 brothers. Each box is identified with a batch number, and all activity done on/with that batch is logged in the Big Brass Log Book using that batch number, including reloading info (powder weight/type, primer type, seating depth) and the resultant group-sizes.

At some point down the road, the data will be moved to Excel for analytical and archival purposes, and the book will likely be tossed - although I do like the simplicity of logging the notes on paper initially rather than having a laptop on/near the reloading table - the last thing I need is Varget in my keyboard...

In theory, by doing this, I should be able to track/graph how each batch of brass behaves over its lifetime, and how accuracy gets impacted by various process changes.

In reality, it will probably simply enable me to devote yet another portion of my waking hours to thinking about shooting...

And yes, this is what can happen when a database specialist attempts to take up precision shooting - let the above be a warning to others! :p
 
My 308 brass is in groups by weight, A B C D. It's Lapua and it has been loaded an ungodly number of times and I really don't know how many. Some guys change brass when they change barrels. For TR you need about 500 to have enough for the national matches, with extras for teams shoots and etc. and enough so you don't have to be fully loaded all the time.
 
What is this "keeping track" thing you speak of? Ha ha...in all seriousness though, I never have. I just reuse my brass until I see cracks or splits. I have 9mm cases that I have reloaded countless times since I was in university...I know that because I used to mark case heads with a red cross for easy identification after a match. Those cases still turn up in my handloads today.
 
Just shoot everything you have every trip to the range. That way all your brass has been reloaded the same number of times. :cool:
 
I mainly reload for my old lithgow and Ross rifle. I neck size only as much as possible that helps with my brass life. I use ziplock bags in the ammo can to keep things in order for the number of firings and which rifle it's for. I keep it separated by times fired and toss cases as they show any signs of stress. I dont worry about seperating by manufacturer. I throw a tag with a lot number in the bag that has all the info of that reloading and it's in a book where I keep notes on how it fired. Every once in awhile I will buy 2 or 3 boxes of good quality ammo and run that through the rifles to replenish my supply of brass or buy new brass it just depends on what is available at the time.
 
Years ago I kept track of 22-250 brass.

This brass was the only brass the rifle saw.
Winchester brass averaged 40-45 reloads.
The other brass used was Norma. These averaged 55-60 reloads
Incidentally the rifle is a Sako with over 20,000 rounds through 4 barrels.

Since then I have not done any more research.
 
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