dying brass?

[original]

I am going to reload for different guns in the same caliber.   It was also thinking about dyeing different colors for the same gun but different batches to keep better track of them and also being able to ID the stray I may pick up at the range from my lot.   I would think this would be good when using the X-dies.     anyway, is it possible to die the brass in different colors  and if so how?   sorry if this sounds stupid it was just a thought I had.   

[keith44]

I just paint the primer different colors.  I only have one cartridge that fits more than one gun (.44 mag).  I load four power levels for my .45-70 (black powder, trapdoor, low and high pressure lever action)  The black powder loaded brass must be kept separate and the high pressure loads also need to be kept separate.

[helotaxi]

Scribble on the case head or outline the primer with a Sharpie.  Either that or get stamp pads with indelible ink.

[stimpylu32]

I 2nd the Sharpie route , you can get them in about 10 different colors , thats what I use for my 45/70 and 357 mag loads that shoot in more than one gun .
 
stimpy

[Forsberg]

How about different brands of brass for diferent firearms?

[twoshooter]

The only way I know to "color" brass is to let them set in a 50/50 mixture of amonia and clorox for awhile. It makes a poison gas if concentrated so only do it in a well ventilated area. It will make your brass a nice shiny black after they are dried and run through a tumbler. I found this out by accident.  There has to be an easier way.

[Ranger99]

i keep all my firearm-specific brass
in different labeled and numbered
plastic ammo boxes that correspond
with my reloading logbook.
the entry would read box# 152
.357 magnum- ***primer***powder
***bullet handi-rifle ser#*** only
or box #201 so on so on t/c contender,etc.
each box has a number with a paint marker
or sharpie, plus a stick-on label with
load and firearm details. safer to me
because i have handguns and rifles
that share calibers, and would be a
danger if ammo were switched.
good luck

[Ranger99]

12 ga. ammo at the farm is
marked on the case head with
a sharpie "oo buck"  " #4 buck"
etc. 
i usually have a half dozen mixed
round on the counter by the door,
and it helps me grab the right one
so i don't shoot a crow with a slug
or the like.

[original]

Yes I do the sharpie thing when doing the load development and the sticker on the ammo box after loading and even try and get different color plastic boxes to hold the ammo.  I  just thought the different color brass could just be another backup to all that and quicker than checking the head stamps after it comes out to the tumbler.    thanks for all the replies.   

[cwlongshot]

 Nickle brass and brass colored brass only get you two loadings with this route... 

I have used sharpies from day one too...
But only for developing loads in same box, ring the primer, color in the primer, half a primer colored... 
 Once a load is established, I buy different colored boxes for different firearms. Today there are atleast 4-5 colors for the popular sized boxes.
THEN I use hang tags on the trigger guards of the firearms filled with useful information like, last time shot, cleaned, distances as well as loading numbers. (All my re-loads get a number.) Thanks to the "smart phone" (with GEO tracking off!!!) I take pictures as well. Everything is recorded in my loading log too.
One day I'll get everything on the computer as well...

CW

[davem270win]

I keep my lots separate. I have 3- 6.5x55 rifles, and I give each lot of brass (either box of 50 or 20, usually) a code 26A1, 26B1, 26C1, 26C2, etc. The letter indicates which gun it's for. I never use a lot of brass for more than one gun. I also have a 260 Remington, which is 26D. And no, I haven't worried about how I'd mark the 27th gun in that caliber!

[jhalcott]

 I would NOT use ammonia on brass! It could damage the brass to the point of being dangerous to fire. Look up brass/amonia on Google to see what can happen to your brass.

[SHOOTALL]

If you don't care to mark each time you load and wish to use the same brass for the same load or gun each time just take a three corner (triangle) file and put a slight notch our several to ID each one.

[helotaxi]

You could also use a centerpunch to mark the head of the brass or a cannelure tool to ring the brass.

[LONGTOM]

They make a transparebt paint for automotive use that just tints in different colors.
It is very thin.
It is used on valve covers and such to give them a custom touch.
They call it anodising.
I have seen it used on brass items before but not sure how it would last on ammo brass.
Worth a try!
 
 
LONGTOM

[Ranger99]

anodizing is an electolytic - type process
barely similar to electroplating that would
be impractical for ammo cases.
might even weaken cases in my unlearned
opinion.

[SHOOTALL]

You could also use a centerpunch to mark the head of the brass or a cannelure tool to ring the brass.

not on my loads after ca few fireings the head stamp is gone on some cases 

[LONGTOM]

anodizing is an electolytic - type process
barely similar to electroplating that would
be impractical for ammo cases.
might even weaken cases in my unlearned
opinion.

Not this type.
It is simplly a thin coat of tint sprayed on the brass just as you would be painting them but water thin.
Not really sure why they refer to it as anodizing except it gives similar results, just not as durable.
 
 
LONGTOM

[SHOOTALL]

anodizing is an electolytic - type process
barely similar to electroplating that would
be impractical for ammo cases.
might even weaken cases in my unlearned
opinion.

Not this type.
It is simplly a thin coat of tint sprayed on the brass just as you would be painting them but water thin.
Not really sure why they refer to it as anodizing except it gives similar results, just not as durable.
 
 
LONGTOM

possibly because the spray and case would be charged to attract each to the other