Author Topic: Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.  (Read 1246 times)

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Offline R.W.Dale

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« on: October 12, 2005, 03:38:51 PM »
I'm about to convert a bunch of 8x57 brass to 7.7x58 jap I own both rifles so in order to play it safe I would like to deface the 8x57 headstamp. Any suggestions would be appreaciated.

Offline jhalcott

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2005, 04:31:05 PM »
you could be making your brass UNSAFE by thinning the head to enough to remove the stamp.  Consider color coding the heads, boxes and even the bullets with a magic marker. You would even be thinning the "rim" the extractor pulls on to remove the case.Is new brass THAT costly?

Offline R.W.Dale

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2005, 05:10:49 PM »
I recollect reading a manual saying how to do it when dealing with wildcats but I cannot find the article. As for brass avalibiltiy grafs is cronically out of their line of brass and I aint gonna pay $50 for 20 norma cases. I may just have to use extreme caution in keeping the ammo seperate. Man it would be bad to touch of a 8mm round in a 7.7 bore.

Offline John Traveler1

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removing headstamp
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2005, 09:39:10 PM »
Making and using a home-made tool to remove the headstamp is relatively easy.  Several sources describe it as follows:

The late George Nonte recommended modifying an end mill bit by grinding the cutting flutes down to two thin cutting edges that remove only a shallow band of the headstamp....sufficient to remove ONLY the stamped portion, and ONLY deep enough to deface the markings.  The actual cutting is done in a drill press using a case support block clamped to the table.  I find it easier to use a milling machine.  The support block is a bar of aluminum slit with a saw cut, and sized using a chamber reamer.  GN further reported custom stamping initials and cartridge name markings inside the grooves to mark his wildcat rounds.  Perfectly safe in moderate pressure cartridges.

Done this way, you minimize thinning the extractor rim and support on the case head.  Some European factory loads were even MADE this way...by DWM and Kynoch, if I remember correctly.  You will also find some WWII Remington Arms .30-06 with really deep grooves around the primer annulus, and this stuff was made for M1 rifle, BAR, and M1919 machine guns.  No problems reported.

It's still much easier of course, to simply use Magic Markers or nail polish to colour code your ammo.

Offline NE Hunter

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2005, 01:17:06 AM »
I was thinking of the magic marker idea too, but what if you used a soft solder and filled in the head stamp rather than remove it

Offline John Traveler1

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solder on headstamp
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2005, 07:59:06 AM »
I dunno if I would want to expose the cartridge case head to soldering heat.  Most lead alloys melt around 600 degrees F, although eutectic solder (37% Pb/63% Sn) melts at about 400 degrees.  That MAY be enough to partially anneal the case head...not a good thing.

I remember many years ago a friend gave me some dark, weathered .30-06 cases to tumble polish for him.  They took several tumbling cycles to clean up, and WORSE, after loading and firing with mild loads, the primer pockets loosened and leaked, causing gas cutting on the bolt face.  When I asked where he got those cases, he replied that he found them on a burned out hillside shooting area.....I'm certainly NOT gonna do THAT again!

Offline ricciardelli

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2005, 01:23:18 PM »
A double charge of powder will remove the headstamp... :oops:

Offline R.W.Dale

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2005, 02:05:01 PM »
Quote from: ricciardelli
A double charge of powder will remove the headstamp... :oops:


 Gee thanks ric, glad to see that you're just as helpful as ever. :lol:

Offline John Traveler1

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helpful
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2005, 04:04:22 PM »
Yeah, Ric....and just as sassy as ever, too!

Offline ricciardelli

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2005, 07:13:58 PM »
Hey, GB, they are picking on me!  And I bet if I fire back you will send me another nasty-gram telling me to chill...

Offline jgalar

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2005, 01:07:27 PM »
Why not file a small notch at the rim/base of the head for identification purposes. You wouldn't need a very large notch to be able to tell them appart.

Offline R.W.Dale

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2005, 03:59:29 PM »
Quote from: jgalar
Why not file a small notch at the rim/base of the head for identification purposes. You wouldn't need a very large notch to be able to tell them appart.


 That's a pertty good idea! I like the fact it won't get tumbled off.

Offline cal sibley

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2005, 04:59:37 PM »
I've noticed that in recent years the calber stamp impressions are no where as deep as they were formerely.  Still I wouldn't try to remove it and end up thinning the case head.  It's just not worth it.  Offer them to someone who shoots the caliber and buy new stuff.  They're not all that expensive.  Just one mans opinion.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
RIP Cal you are missed by many.

Offline Tycer

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2005, 03:25:41 AM »
A dremel engraver might give a clean enough line to actually number the case head.
Thanks to you''uns from WNC,

Tycer

There is a fine line between Hobby and Mental Illness
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Offline R.W.Dale

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2005, 05:36:44 AM »
GOOD NEWS! Grafs just relisted their brass as being in stock so hopefully forming 8mm mauser cases is out the window They also now have 7.5x55 swiss in stock.

Offline Steve P

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2005, 04:05:20 PM »
I have filled in the engraving with paint and/or nail polish.  That worked when I was a newby and concerned about getting my stuff mixed up.  Now I load too many different calibers.  All of my brass is in boxes well labeled.  Also shoot most of the guns enough to know the difference in the brass.  

File notch idea works.  Years ago with the shotgun, it was colored primers that told me what size shot and load was in the shell.  Had about 15 different colors of paint and it was easy to paint the primer before seating it.  (be careful you dont get paint in the primer and deactivate it).

Steve   :D
"Life is a play before an audience of One.  When your play is over, will your audience stand and applaude, or stay seated and cry?"  SP 2002

Offline Dalton Masterson

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Whats the best way to remove a headstamp.
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2005, 07:23:13 PM »
When making 45 blanks you have to open up the hole in the primer pocket some. To keep these separate, I used a triangular file and put a nice notch right in the edge. Works well, and hasnt caused any problems at all. DM