Federal Brass: Nit-Noid Question

I just purchased a quantity of once-fired, 45 ACP, large primer Federal brass. There seems to be three variants of Federal brass:

• Plain headstamp, reads Federal 45 Auto
  
• Dot headstamp, reads as above, but has horizontally opposed dots
  
• Knurled ring, has a knurled, decorative ring 1/4" down from the mouth
  

Is there any reason to sort out these variants for long-line?

I have found for me to get the most consistency I've sorted out brass by overall length after its sized and make sure the primer holes are the same size. I have experienced that the smaller primer holes gave me the most accuracy and least velocity variations in the light loads we shoot.

The 'knurled ring' is not decorative. It is a cannelure intended to prevent the bullet from being forced back into the case and the subsequent spike in pressure that is entailed when that happens. Not a very common occurrence in the target shooting world but in LE where weapons are repeatedly cleared and reloaded bullets do tend to telescope into the case.
If the neither the expander nor the bullet that you use reaches that far into the case it will not cause any difficulty. The case might eventually crack at that point, I usually lose them before that happens.

Bruce

Windlogik wrote:Is there any reason to sort out these variants for long-line?

If you have long winters where you live, I do believe that "avoiding turning into Jack Torrance" is a valid reason.

pistol champ wrote:I have found for me to get the most consistency I've sorted out brass by overall length after its sized and make sure the primer holes are the same size. I have experienced that the smaller primer holes gave me the most accuracy and least velocity variations in the light loads we shoot.

Counter/tangential point:

I think that a shooter classified as a Marksman in conventional pistol should spend approximately 5% of his/her time on finding a center fire load that is safe and reliable, and 95% of his/her time on learning the trigger squeeze and sight alignment fundamentals that it takes to progress to Sharpshooter.

(Actually, I think that a Marksman should spend 0% of his/her time on center fire, and 100% of his/her time on progressing to Expert level with a .22 before ever thinking of shooting a center fire pistol, but that kind of takes most of the fun out of a 2700 for a beginner.)

(Actually, I think that a Marksman should spend 0% of his/her time on center fire, and 100% of his/her time on progressing to Expert level with a .22 before ever thinking of shooting a center fire pistol, but that kind of takes most of the fun out of a 2700 for a beginner.)

Completely agree, my Son is shooting BE.  He won't start on a 45 until he shoots 270.  Given he's 14 there's plenty of time.  I wish I had done the same.  It would have been cheaper

Another and more critical difference in federal brass (also Winchester) is the flash hole size, old federal had a smaller flash hole than the newer stuff and it can make the POI different at 50 yds using the same load if you mix them up together.