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.

 

[jimbires]

when loading ammo , if I get an easy to seat primer , I color the primer with my black sharpie . next cycle if the primer seats easy again , I write loose on the case and trash it after it's fired .

there's a hundred ways to lose track of work up ammo , I think I've done it all . one that still gets me is , I put all the ammo in order , in an ammo box . get to the range , get everything set up , open the ammo box , and the ammo is in there every which way . the ammo box was too tall for the ammo I had in it . even with the lid closed the ammo could come out of the holes . I think that was the last straw , I started to use a sharpie .

 

[xphunter]

Pull the bullets.
Use a sharpie next time.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

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 .

I noticed that when checking the weight of each charge, several of them were 0.01gr +/- from the target weight. Around here the humidity rarely drops below 50% during the summer months, when the crops start drying out for harvest the humidity gets worse which is caused by what is known as "Corn Sweats", don't know how that name come about.

 

[michsteve]

I noticed that when checking the weight of each charge, several of them were 0.01gr +/- from the target weight. Around here the humidity rarely drops below 50% during the summer months, when the crops start drying out for harvest the humidity gets worse which is caused by what is known as "Corn Sweats", don't know how that name come about.

I thought corn sweats is what happens when you drank to much moonshine

 

[Heavy Barrel]

I thought corn sweats is what happens when you drank to much moonshine

I wish that's all it was! Summer is just getting started and I'm already tired of sticking to everything I touch, truck seat, windowsill, center counsel, lawn chair, myself, recliner, etc, etc.

 

[PJGunner]

"If you were in this situation, what would you do?"​

Good questson but, no photo and no comment.

It took reading few answers to figure out the problem. I guess if I were in that situation or something similar I'd just pull the bullets. I have the hammer type and collets for 7MM and 30 caliber.

I'm in somewhat of that kind of situation myself. Roughly 300 .44 mag and .45 Colt cast bullet loads with a way too high overload of Unique. I not only would to pull them but most likely ruin the bullets for use as well as the gas checks. OUCH! I don't think the hammer type will do it nor do I think a collet type will work. Lead's too slippery for a collet. So it's break out the large size dykes and ruin a batch of some of the best cast bullets I've ever made. It won't be the first time but usually dduring load work ups not making a batch to use shooting.
The only thing keeping me from getting it done now is the lock on my shed is frozen and so far dousing it with WD40 ain't cutting it.
PJ

 

[wvbuckbuster]

If it were me, I'd pull them and start over. If using an ammo case that is too tall for your shells, try putting folded paper towels or some soft material on top the shells, enough so that the lid closes. As for loose primer pockets, when I find them after I have seated a primer, I just write scrap on the case then throw in my scrap bucket after firing.