diversmith Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Just recently got up and running with my 650 and am wondering if all you reloaders use magic markers/sharpies to mark your reloaded ammo. I got the idea after picking up some range brass and it always seems to be marked on the case head in the color of choice. Any other clever ideas for marking your ammo? I thought instead of using a common color i.e. black/blue, I would use a bright red or light green sharpie. Any other suggestions? I figure the litle time spent might be worth it in the long run making things easier to sort after trips to the range Thanks for any tips/advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lugnut Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I only reload 9, 40, 45 and 38sp. No markings for me. Just store them in ammo cans with labels for load data. If I was reloading super or super comp I'd mark them... but there are so many color combinations around here I don't know what I'd use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneadam12 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I have used and still use a light spatter from a spray can of machinist layout die. It shows clearly with the case laying on it's side. I haven't had any feed issues running it through my STI. It looks kind of ugly, but I haven't seen anyone else's brass that looks like mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_Z Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I picked up a big box of address labels for cheap at a yard sale a while back. I put them through the label program in word. I can make one label or whole pages. I put Caliber, bullet type,weight, maker, powder and weight, and if I'm going to use them in competition power factor. I can put a new label over the top of the old one when the box is refilled. I should put the date I reloaded the cartridges but have never gotten in the habit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unregistered Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I picked up a big box of address labels for cheap at a yard sale a while back. I put them through the label program in word. I can make one label or whole pages. I put Caliber, bullet type,weight, maker, powder and weight, and if I'm going to use them in competition power factor. I can put a new label over the top of the old one when the box is refilled. I should put the date I reloaded the cartridges but have never gotten in the habit. For a second I thought you meant you put said labels on the loaded cartridges themselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmysterious Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 There was another thread on this in the last 6 months or so with some good ideas. I just put an X on the case head with a black sharpie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diversmith Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Sorry bud...I think you misunderstood...I was talking about marking the brass itself so it is easily identified amongst other brass that was not yours. Easy to know it's yours and helps you keep batches separate when you are keeping track of # of firings. I picked up a big box of address labels for cheap at a yard sale a while back. I put them through the label program in word. I can make one label or whole pages. I put Caliber, bullet type,weight, maker, powder and weight, and if I'm going to use them in competition power factor. I can put a new label over the top of the old one when the box is refilled. I should put the date I reloaded the cartridges but have never gotten in the habit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I tried a few different methods and finally just gave up. Too hard to keep number of loads straight. I was marking my 9MAJOR brass but when I picked it up the markings were gone anyway. I guess the sharpie ink was getting burned off maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I don't always mark my cases, but when I do I use Dykem...comes in blue, black, and red. (Ok, my apologies to Dos XX ) I've used both the brush-on and spray, and have even just put the loaded rounds in a cardboard box top, shook it around until most of the bullets were facing in the same direction more or less, and then just gave a light mist coat hitting mostly the stern of the loaded rounds. Most of the color seems to survive firing through a .38 super. Oneadam12 describes using this method, also. The red seems to stand out best in the dirt/grass, but blue is OK too. Using nickle plated cases really seems to help them stand out on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPatterson Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 For a Level I or II match where I want to get some of my brass back I use a Hoser Cam Brass Master, allows 2 different colors if I want. I have had people stop me after a match to return some of my colored brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff686 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I think the big issue here is quickly and easily finding your brass on the ground, and stopping the brass hogs from stealing your cases. I've recently discovered a new technique for accomplishing this... I work in a food processing and packaging company, and am responsible for the equipment's automated control systems. One of our more commonly used tools is the industrial grade food irradiation oven. I've found that turning up the ionization dose to approximately 30Gy (normally running around 8Gy to sterilize beef), I can effectively tag my brass with a residual radioactive signature. Identifying the brass on the range is very easy. After shooting, I break out my bright yellow 1950's geiger counter that I borrowed from my fathers bomb shelter. Using the obvious and simple method of waving it around in the air around the bay, I'm able to play the 'warmer/colder' game and locate pockets of higher emissions. Typically, these pockets indicate a pile of brass that accumulated from one shooting position. As you can imagine, after shooting and demonstrating my brass location system, the brass hogs are hesitant to steal my empty cases. Furthermore, I've noticed that others also prefer to stop policing their own brass, allowing me to collect and keep it too. Bonus! There are a few unintended consequences. First, I've had trouble hearing the timer's starting buzz, since the RO isn't willing to stand as close to me and my loaded magazines as he should. Second, I've noticed that I'm the only person willing to tape targets and set steel. I don't mind working during the match, but really? Finally, I'm starting to grow a 3rd arm, and hope to soon use it to speed my reloads. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Shooting 38 SuperComp I want to get my brass back. I have a V block that i'll lay a round in and then twist as I mark the extractor groove with a red Sharpie. Very easy to identify my brass and don't have to pick everything up and look at the base. I just tell everybody that I want my "red butt" brass back. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I use Dykem that comes in a small 2 oz. bottle with a felt applicator on top. I just coat the head after they have been case gaged. It stays on better than a sharpie. I do it mainly to make sure loaded rounds I pick up are mine and to make sure ammo has been gaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneadam12 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 It seems that the Dykem also makes it through the tumbler without coming off so that you don't have to mark it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobb Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 (edited) If you look into the dykem transparent, it comes in a lot of different colors and supposedly applies thinner and dries faster. Anyone tried the transparent variation ? Seems like at my local matches everyone uses red, and I'd like to go a different route. Edited December 15, 2011 by Scoobb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Rader Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I like to mark my brass with a small dimple in the center of the primer. If any of you find any of my brass laying around, please send it back to me ASAP. Thank you, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMartens Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I like to mark my brass with a small dimple in the center of the primer. If any of you find any of my brass laying around, please send it back to me ASAP. Thank you, Dale Do you want jeff686's radioactive brass too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Rader Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 I like to mark my brass with a small dimple in the center of the primer. If any of you find any of my brass laying around, please send it back to me ASAP. Thank you, Dale Do you want jeff686's radioactive brass too? I will let you all fight over that stuff. I don't want to hoard all of the brass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnmccoy Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I dont mark either, but my friend puts an "X" on the bottom with a sharpie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchUSMC Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Green sharpie single line across the primer and headstamp. I mark all the pistol ammo that I shoot at matches in hopes of getting it back. But most of the time if I'm low on brass I'll just shoot a local IDPA match. Lot's of new once fired laying around at the end of the day. The rifle brass I'm more picky about and will call someone out if they take it. But the amount of work that goes into each piece is much more than just tumbling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I load mainly .40 and .38SC. I mark my .38SC used for local matches once they're in a blue Dillon ammo box with a red Sharpie. Start one from end of the row and go to other end so that each cartridge has a red line. I get .40 for free so I dont mark it; I just leave it for the other guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 This is time consuming and will make your fingers or hands sore: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I load mainly .40 and .38SC. I mark my .38SC used for local matches once they're in a blue Dillon ammo box with a red Sharpie. Start one from end of the row and go to other end so that each cartridge has a red line. I get .40 for free so I dont mark it; I just leave it for the other guys. Same method here, ammo loaded with cases I want to find and identify get loaded in ammo cases head stamp up. Then I use a red sharpie in one direction and black in the other to put a red/black X on every case head. Tumbling always takes the sharpie marking off the case heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHLChris Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Bringing this one up from the dead... I've been marking my brass (pretty new to this, so haven't been marking for long) with a blue sharpie all the way around the case head. However, I've been noticing that the sharpie ink has migrated to my breech face, which is now quite blue. It's only a cosmetic problem, but I'd rather not continue that practice. I'm betting that sharpie around the outside circumference would be transferring to people's chambers in the same fashion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joestefano Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 This is what I use to mark my brass. THE BRASS MARKER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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