Marking Cases

victorj19

I just trimmed about 500 9x19 cases to 9x18 for use in a Mak. When I go to a range they'll likely get mixed in with more 9x19s. Id there something I can mark the headstamps with so I retrieve my trimmed and now fireformed cases? I tried red and black permanent markers but they didn't work well.

270cowboy

I have heard of people using a "light" layer
of finger nail polish on the primer,but
I have never tried this myself.

CapnMidnight

I mark my cases with a magic marker on the base, works like a champ.
W.D.

BHAVIN

Like the Capn' says a magic marker. When I was shooting 9x23 in local shoots there were 5 of us that used different colors of markers to be able to recover our brass.

geeguy

This may sound a little nuts, but try this:

1. Place cases in a plastic bag, add Dykam (machining ink), shake, pour out and dry. Do this before priming to assure primer hole is clean.

2. As above with professional ink.

I have never used this method, but some of the shooters I have met swear this is a good system. Assure your brass is clean with no oils when placed in the bag. Sounds a little messy to me, so good luck, hope it works. They tell me the cases stay dark even after cleaning lightly. (I use the magic marker on the case base)

Duce1

I use red fingernail polish to seal the primer pocket and to mark them as needed for this very purpose. I use different colored fingernail polish to note what I want and I keep a chart of what color means what. But that is me and you can do as you choose.

burdz19

There has to be a joke in here somewhere about grown men with guns using fingernail polish...... but ya'll can hit from further then my 12 ga.... so I'll leave to someone else [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]


j/k guys

b

countryfarmer

What about using the ink pads that you use for stamps? I've seen them come in black,red, and green, I don't know about other colors. I would think you could mark a bunch of rounds quickly by just pressing the cartridge head into the pad.

I just looked and found some in purple and blue too.

Nwcid

For me I mark my primers with a sharpie. This way after I shoot them and punch the primers it is just normal brass again.

In your case you need to mark the case in a way to make it easy to tell with or with out a primer in it.

As others have said many people mark the case with a sharpie in different colors or patterns. You could also try some automotive spray paint and do a light coat on them. Try it on some other brass you have first and see if it works for you.

dtknowles

Sharpie works for a couple load cycles.

On modified brass, I like to obliterate the headstamp. You can make a tool to be used in a lathe or drill press to cut a groove through the headstamp. I just use my dremel tool. You don't grind a lot just mess up the caliber marking, I usually leave the Manufacturer marking.

victorj19

Thanks guys.

I can always borrow my wife' or daughter's nail polish. The ink pad sounds easy and I already have one. The auto paint concerned me since if the paint could foul things up if it gets trsnsfered to rhw chamber or bolt. The pistol wouldn't get ruined but removing paint from the chamer and bolt face sounds like a task I can avoid.

I really like the idea of cutting a shallow grove in the head stamp with a dremel tool since it is permanent. It will take a bit longer up front but I won't ever have to mark them again. Since I already have the tool, there's no extra cost. Actually, I'm thinking of combining the groove with color (nail polish on some ink on some others and the balance plain). Then after a visit to the range I'll know what works best for me.

grizzclaw

I mark my primers on shotgun loads for competition, just punch the primer out and do it again.

Rocky Raab

If the brass is clean and degreased, most liquid cold blues will turn brass black, and it is as permanent as bluing. Pour a shallow amount and dip the case in up to the extractor groove. The headstamp area will be black. This will not work on nickel cases.