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How many cases do you keep prepped?

P

pepperbelly

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 7, 2006
871
0
Fort Worth, Texas
#1
I had to prepare for getting scoped this past weekend so I used the down time to get some loading done before it really got cold.
I loaded about 100 rounds of .308 and 300 rounds of .45acp. I would have loaded more but I just filled all of my empty boxes.
I also polished several hundred of each caliber. The .45acp are easy and good to go.
I am going to resize/deprime the .308 cases and trim to length. There are about 400 or so of them ready to size.
Do most of ya'll get your empty cases ready to load, or just leave them ready to size and deprime?
If this cold weather keeps up long I may go ahead and do all of them anyway, but my bench is in the garage and it is frikkin cold out there.

Jim
 
#2
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I do it in stages so it's not too boring...here's how.
Monday- tumble and clean all brass ( all calibers)
Tuesday- deprime,resize and prep brass
Wed- prime and sort brass...put in storage for future reloading
Thurs-reload desired rounds
I have typically 5 calibers I shoot so I reload what I run low on.I usually try to keep 2-300 prepped cases of each but may only load 100.I find that by spreading out the jobs on different days it doesn't feel like a marathon, also doesn't require me to be in the garage for usually more than an hour at a time.
I feel your pain about the cold ( I'm in NY) I bought a used, small oil furnace from a mobile home for heat in the garage.
 
#3
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I do rifle ammo in batches of 100 or less, and pistol in how many bullets I have, which is never less than 250, all on single stage presses, Co-Ax, K&M Arbor, or RCBS Partner Press
 
#5
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I load and get it all done at once. 2 or 300 rifle is about all I can stand. Pistol I have 8 primer tubes for my 650 so I load 900 a sitting usually.

Reloadings a chore... So i Get in get out get fuggin about.
 
#6
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I prep brass for a week at a time also. I have about 2 gallons of .223 primed, 320some with WSR for H335 and 52 SMK and the rest with CCI400 for Varget and 77 SMK. That was two weeks about an hour or two a night and a couple of hours trimming on Saturdays. Most of it while watching TV at the same time. (Note to self treat yourself to a Giraud.) Theres also 500 preped .308 waiting to prime and load. Pistol ammo gets loaded as needed. Tumble and run through the Loadmaster. For rifle I keep about 60 to 100 .223's loaded and will load what I expect to shoot for the week end matches. That way if I don't get a chance to load I have enough to skip a reload session. Next winter I'll do a couple more gallons of rifle brass, or get this years annealed and shoot it again.
 
#7
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I just bought 5k large pistol and 5k large rifle primers, and I have about 6k LSWC bullets for my .45acp. I have several hundred 175gr SMKs.
A question I didn't ask was answered. I was wondering if anyone keeps primed cases ready. I prime by hand, and it really doesn't take that long. I do weigh every charge of powder, and that seems to take the most time after prepping.

Jim
 
#8
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Exhogflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do it in stages so it's not too boring...here's how.
Monday- tumble and clean all brass ( all calibers)
Tuesday- deprime,resize and prep brass
Wed- prime and sort brass...put in storage for future reloading
Thurs-reload desired rounds
I have typically 5 calibers I shoot so I reload what I run low on.I usually try to keep 2-300 prepped cases of each but may only load 100.I find that by spreading out the jobs on different days it doesn't feel like a marathon, also doesn't require me to be in the garage for usually more than an hour at a time.
I feel your pain about the cold ( I'm in NY) I bought a used, small oil furnace from a mobile home for heat in the garage.</div></div>

I do the same thing. Since I only use a single stage press, I do everything in stages. If not, I usually get frustrated and find something else to do.
 
#9
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I think everyone has a system that works for them based on what kind, and how much loading they need to do. I have many thousands of ready to go 5.56mm brass.
DSC_0181.jpg

Just need to prime, and charge, and seat a bullet. For my 308 REPR, I am working on a batch of 500 LC military brass. I tumbled them first to get the majority of skuzz off, then ran them through my Redding Small Based Resizer die, and then run them through a serious trip through the tumbler.
DSC_0184.jpg

Just to make them shine, and get the Imperial sizing wax off. Then every single one needs to be trimmed, so off to my Wilson trimmer that is set up just for 308.
DSC_0178.jpg

Then from there, through my case prep station. It will do the inside, outside chamfer of the case mouth, then chamfer the flash hole, then uniform the primer pockets. Now I use the Dewalt screwdrivers at work, and not just on the loading bench. I did weld up this fixture for them, and made an acrylic tray to catch all she shavings, which I toss into my scrap brass bucket. When it gets full, I take it out to the recyclers and get paid!
DSC_0182.jpg

I then have a few trays with ready to load, full match preped cases for my LWRC REPR.
Now my 308 bolt gun isn't as hungry, so I run either Lapua cases or Winchesters. That is only one of hundreds of ways to do it.
Pistol ammo, I get the dillon 650 out and load a years worth per caliber, which is 4-5,000 rounds of .45ACP, and a bit more in 9MM. I seperate out my brass by headstamp, even though the hot rod pistol shooters don't, or they say they don't.
Good Luck,
JPG
 
#12
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

Maybe, but what's the point of keeping unprep'd brass around?

So, my answer is: all of them; but use your head about how much to do at a time. If it becomes a chore, you're doing it wrong.

IMHO, the best time to do it is within a day of two of having fired it; and once you start a batch, finish it. Only thing worse than having unprep'd brass around is having various batches lying around; all in different stages of preparedness.

Greg
 
#13
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

My reloading cylces follow my use. I have a 300 cases prepped for 260, and maybe 50 or so in 7mmRM and 30-06AI. I also have about 1K prepped and ready for 9mm and 500 for 45ACP. I usually try and do about 100 per day for rifles. I can do that comfortably, having the right tools for the job makes it go much quicker.

Silverbullet 2 - Great set up you have there, but can I ask why you didn't just get an RCBS case prep center, or something similar? I use a hornady case lock case trimmer with a cordless drill adapter, and then an RCBS case prep center to chamfer, deburr, clean the primer pockets and clean the necks.
 
#15
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

<span style="font-weight: bold">Silverbullet 2 - Great set up you have there, but can I ask why you didn't just get an RCBS case prep center, or something similar? I use a hornady case lock case trimmer with a cordless drill adapter, and then an RCBS case prep center to chamfer, deburr, clean the primer pockets and clean the necks</span>

As I stated, I already owned the Dewalt screwdrivers from work, and all I did was to weld up the fixture, and fab up an acrylic tray. I used the money I would have spent on that on more powder, primers and bullets. I like my Wilson case trimmer better that every other one on the market. That is just me. JPG <span style="font-weight: bold"> </span>
 
#16
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do rifle ammo in batches of 100 or less, and pistol in how many bullets I have, which is never less than 250, all on single stage presses, Co-Ax, K&M Arbor, or RCBS Partner Press</div></div>

You ready to step up, Brian?
smile.gif
I've got a Dillon 550B for sale...
 
#18
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silverbullet-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I think everyone has a system that works for them based on what kind, and how much loading they need to do. I have many thousands of ready to go 5.56mm brass.
DSC_0181.jpg

Just need to prime, and charge, and seat a bullet. For my 308 REPR, I am working on a batch of 500 LC military brass. I tumbled them first to get the majority of skuzz off, then ran them through my Redding Small Based Resizer die, and then run them through a serious trip through the tumbler.
DSC_0184.jpg

Just to make them shine, and get the Imperial sizing wax off. Then every single one needs to be trimmed, so off to my Wilson trimmer that is set up just for 308.
DSC_0178.jpg

Then from there, through my case prep station. It will do the inside, outside chamfer of the case mouth, then chamfer the flash hole, then uniform the primer pockets. Now I use the Dewalt screwdrivers at work, and not just on the loading bench. I did weld up this fixture for them, and made an acrylic tray to catch all she shavings, which I toss into my scrap brass bucket. When it gets full, I take it out to the recyclers and get paid!
DSC_0182.jpg

I then have a few trays with ready to load, full match preped cases for my LWRC REPR.
Now my 308 bolt gun isn't as hungry, so I run either Lapua cases or Winchesters. That is only one of hundreds of ways to do it.
Pistol ammo, I get the dillon 650 out and load a years worth per caliber, which is 4-5,000 rounds of .45ACP, and a bit more in 9MM. I seperate out my brass by headstamp, even though the hot rod pistol shooters don't, or they say they don't.
Good Luck,
JPG </div></div>

Nice rack!

I do the same thing with my abundance of cordless drills though my trimmer is a Forster. My drills are arrayed side by side and I just run each case to the respective tool chucked in each drill.

Works for me and makes brass prep go a lot faster than using my RCBS case prep center, which works but runs at about 7 rpms!
laugh.gif
 
#19
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

That rack gives me some ideas. WW has a clearance on B&D bottom-line 7.2V rechargeable hand drill motors. For this sort of application they could be pretty adequate.

Greg
 
#20
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I read either on 6mmBR or Rifleman's Journal about someone who sized some cases and charged and seated half the cases the next day and charged and seated the rest a week later and found significantly different neck tension between the two batches. Basically, the brass had a chance to harden a bit more when it sat for a week.

For this reason, I like to do things in manageable batch sizes. The batch needs to be sized such that I can size everything in the same session and charge and seat in the same session, hopefully either the same day or the next day.

For this reason, I like to keep my batch size relatively small (50 - 100). I also need to look ahead at my schedule. If I have time to size, but won't be able to charge and seat for a couple of days, I will hold off until I have two consecutive days to size, charge, and seat.
 
#21
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I try to keep all of my brass prepped and ready to load.Am I successful?NO!I have learned that cordless tools are your friend,and lots of work can be done while watching tv with the family.Some of you guys have some great ideas,and I have copied a few of them.Everytime that one of you guys talk about the cold or heat,makes me thankful that my room is inside. Pete
 
#22
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

I keep about 5k 45acp and 5k 9mm cleaned and ready to load on the 650. Usually have 2k of each loaded in an ammo can
Keep about 2k 308's primed and ready to load and 2-3k 223's primed and ready. About 1-200 loaded and ready to go.
I work the brass in stages as mentioned earlier. I usually start prepping it when I have 200 cases of rifle, and 4-500 of pistol that are dirty. Lots of ice on the ground this week so I did alot of brass prep and loading.
 
#23
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

Carter Mayfield's post made me stop and think. Whether the issue is hardening (as he suggests) or springback (as I suspect), I'm not sure; but his logic makes sense either way.

Just as I prefer not to maintain large stocks of loaded ammo for long periods; it would make better sense to avoid brass prep until one is actually ready to load up the brass, and for very similar reasons.

I would still clean the brass as soon after firing as is reasonable. Corrosion is not our friend.

Greg
 
#24
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I read either on 6mmBR or Rifleman's Journal about someone who sized some cases and charged and seated half the cases the next day and charged and seated the rest a week later and found significantly different neck tension between the two batches. Basically, the brass had a chance to harden a bit more when it sat for a week.</div></div>

I'm not a metalurgist but I don't understand how this can happen. If that were the case ammo manufacturers could not maintain quality control. Also I'd be interested to know how he determined what the neck tension actually was other than mic'ing them before he loaded.
 
#25
Re: How many cases do you keep prepped?

i try to keep 250 loaded at all times, which means i can shoot fifty and then when i get home i asap rework and charge the brass for my 308.

I slack sometimes and then hate myself around charge number 250 for the day.


I use a drawer system though so i can stop at anypoint and not be confused when i pick back up-except powder, once that starts i finish no matter what.


drawer order:

Just fired
sized a deprimed
ready to prime or need trimming
then an ammo can for primed brass ready to be charged, or fill the loading blocks and go.
 
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