What would you do?

[Heavy Barrel]

Well…I didn’t expect that to happen!!

Decided to try using GRT’s optimized data for my .270 WSM after the results I seen here.

As I was wrapping up and putting things away, my clumsy butt(hand) managed to knock the MTM ammo box containing the forty rounds I’d loaded, all over my bench.

The brass I used isn’t weight sorted.

 

[Blkram]

I dropped my box of 284 Win test loads once too...tried weight sorting...too much variance that I could not get 3 of any of 4 different powder charges to be even close in weight to say with certainty, "this is this powder charge".

Just pull one at a time and weigh the powder charge to see if you can say which was which.
I will weigh new charges to reseat the bullets again, after neck sizing the brass again.

 

[RL338]

I’m guessing there were different load charges in there. If it was a work up to find max pressure , you’re best to pull and start over.
I mark primers with different color markers to avoid any mix ups.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

I dropped my box of 284 Win test loads once too...tried weight sorting...too much variance that I could not get 3 of any of 4 different powder charges to be even close in weight to say with certainty, "this is this powder charge".

Just pull one at a time and weigh the powder charge to see if you can say which was which.
I will weigh new charges to reseat the bullets again, after neck sizing the brass again.

This is what I've started doing...a turret press would be nice right about now!

 

[jimbires]

been there , now I use a sharpie and write the powder charge on the brass case . or if testing seating , I'll write the COAL on the brass case . it's gotta be fool proof for me , or yes , I'll goof up .


when dumping the charges be careful , powder will stick to the bullet base , the flashhole , and even the brass case walls . I've unloaded H1000 and had to dig it out of the case .

a few time I've done this , the powder charges didn't weigh out exactly as to what I had loaded . I can only think this is due to humidity . gunpowder is hydroscopic .

 

[salmonchaser]

been there , now I use a sharpie and write the powder charge on the brass case . or if testing seating , I'll write the COAL on the brass case . it's gotta be fool proof for me , or yes , I'll goof up .


when dumping the charges be careful , powder will stick to the bullet base , the flashhole , and even the brass case walls . I've unloaded H1000 and had to dig it out of the case .

a few time I've done this , the powder charges didn't weigh out exactly as to what I had loaded . I can only think this is due to humidity . gunpowder is hydroscopic .

This is what I do as well, having booted more than one box carrying a mixed lot for load testing. Even when I’m only trying two different loads, both get labeled with the sharpie. I typically don’t pull bullets on loads that don’t pan out I’ll just shoot them at steel plates from field positions. I’m frequently surprised by a load that just doesn’t make the grade going 10 for 10 on plates at 300 yards. 4 or 500 it gets a little tougher but is it the load or my ability to shoot that distance from kneeling or sitting?

 

[JD338]

I use magic markers to color code the primer pockets for different bullet weights. This could also be used to identify different powder types or weights, primers or seating depths.
I use a sharpie to write charge weights and COAL info on the case.

JD338

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've accidently dumped a box of test ammo too. I tried weighing the ammo to determine which was which. It didn't work. You have two options:
1. pull the bullets, resize the neck/cases and start over
2. use the ammo for barrel fouling and just start your testing sequence with other brass.

I still don't mark cases but I'm a bit more careful with the boxed ammo. The various load data is put on masking tape and affixed to the open lid above the rows of ammo. The tape is easy to write on, easy to affix and easy to remove.