Weight or volume sorting brass

[fairchaser]

I haven't been sorting my brass but my last match I had 5-6 shots fall out of the group for no apparent reason. So, I went through and weighed the cleaned but empty brass and found 6 that were heavier than all the rest. This is lapua brass btw. I tried to compare these with one of the others by using water and an eye dropper and there was a drop or two difference. Do you think I found the source of my fliers or am I wasting my time?

 

[2in1shot]

Weight sorting cleaned brass is the first thing I do. I try and keep the middle of the bell curve and set aside the outliers. I think it makes a difference.

 

[fairchaser]

Weight sorting cleaned brass is the first thing I do. I try and keep the middle of the bell curve and set aside the outliers. I think it makes a difference.

Thanks for the input. I hope it does too.

 

[Deer Assassin]

hunting applications i do not

 

[280longshot]

I've noticed a big improvement using Lapua brass so I don't weight sort. How much of a difference in weight, what caliber?

 

[fairchaser]

I've noticed a big improvement using Lapua brass so I don't weight sort. How much of a difference in weight, what caliber?

The brass is .308 and the difference is at least 5 grains. I was using the balance scale so not exactly sure but the outliers were pegging the beam to the top where everything else was around the middle. I'm fairly precise with my reloading for match competition so I feel pretty confident about my other steps but I don't go too extreme like sorting bullets, or turning necks. At 600 yds it doesn't take much to drop into the 9 ring.

 

[280longshot]

What dies/seater are you using? Do you check concentricity?

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[markwondi]

For match shooting, you really ought to be volume sorting your brass. In addition, you really need to be sorting your bullets to prevent fliers.

 

[Snowwolfe]

To many variables to make sorting by weight advantageous. Each case would first have to be the same exact length, primer pocket uniformed to the same depth, chamfer on the mouth the same, etc.
If your concerned about it you could just toss any case that was way off the median weight. Then load up what is headed for the garbage bin and shoot a group and see what happens.

 

[fairchaser]

What dies/seater are you using? Do you check concentricity?

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I'm using the standard full length RCBS dies and will probably upgrade to the match grade dies next and I do check concentricity and stay within 1000th.

 

[fairchaser]

To many variables to make sorting by weight advantageous. Each case would first have to be the same exact length, primer pocket uniformed to the same depth, chamfer on the mouth the same, etc.
If your concerned about it you could just toss any case that was way off the median weight. Then load up what is headed for the garbage bin and shoot a group and see what happens.

I hear ya. Lots of variables but I do trim each case to the same length and chamfer with a machine the same each time. I don't uniform the primer pocket though but that could be done easily too. I might test as you suggested or use those cases for barrel seasoning or even sighters. There was only 6 that were heavier out of 86. Thanks for the ideas!