Organizing loaded cartridges

[bcook4321]

After I load a few hundred rounds of 357 I don’t much feel like organizing everything into my MTM cases. Since the bullet side of the loaded cartridge is heavier, I would think there would be a simple way to semi-automate The process of aligning and dropping into 50 or 100 slot cases, particularly for rimmed brass. Before I go try to make something for this purpose, I thought I’d see if anything already existed for that. I couldn’t find much in my searches, but maybe I’m not searching with the correct words???

 

[ImjinScout85]

After I load I just drop them into all my MTM cases, only takes a couple of minutes to do. I also fill out a load card with all the cartridge info that goes into the case. I load hundreds of pistol rounds in multiple calibers and the easy part is dropping them into the plastic case. Not sure how you would automate this, by the time you set up this auto process you could have just manually dropped them into the case.

 

[PapaG]

Someone sold a fork like device you scooped through a pile of loaded cartridges, picked them up in rows and let you slide them off into the box. Had one years ago but don't remember the maker. Box in fifteen seconds.

 

[FROGO207]

I gave up on boxing my ammo. I use quart ZipLoc freezer bags. Put a reasonable amount in each add a slip of paper with load info, smooth out to remove excess air before sealing and drop into a USGI ammo box. Ammo boxes take up lots of space in an ammo can (my preferred storage method).

I know if you set one of those plastic inserts from an ammo box in a container of ammo and pour the finished ammo over it the ammo will drop in the holes. Not always the same way but they will readily drop into the holes.
You can do the same thing to count brass by the 50.

 

[AJC1]

I use 100 round boxes for testing. Because of snafus I've seen on jonnys reloading bench, I marker the charge on every case then put it in its row. For bulk dialed in loads i put in a ziplock and put in an ammo can. You can store way more in the same space.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Zip lock bags, 1 gallon for 500+, 1 quart for 100+

for pistol

Sharpie and Blue tape!

 

[bcook4321]

Someone sold a fork like device you scooped through a pile of loaded cartridges, picked them up in rows and let you slide them off into the box. Had one years ago but don't remember the maker. Box in fifteen seconds.

That’s fairly close to what I was thinking of. Unlikely, but If anyone has a picture of such a device that would be great…

 

[kcofohio]

I use 100 round boxes for testing. Because of snafus I've seen on jonnys reloading bench, I marker the charge on every case then put it in its row. For bulk dialed in loads i put in a ziplock and put in an ammo can. You can store way more in the same space.

Like this.

 

[dartor]

For handgun ammo 30 caliber ammo cans, clearly labeled. For trips to the range I fill an empty 1lb powder bottle, again, clearly marked with contents. When the bottle is getting low I refill from the can. When I start to see the bottom of the ammo can I load and fill it again. All rifle ammo gets stored in MTM boxes.

 

[Hartkopf]

Back when I used the 100 round boxes, I figured out real quick to put the finished rounds directly into those boxes at the reloading bench. As a round is finished, right off the press, it goes into the box, not back in the reloading tray.


Now I bring a 30 cal ammo can to the reloading bench and put them in loose. I gave up on boxes for any auto ammo because of the volume I was loading and shooting.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Like this.
View attachment 1036074

that’s too man words man!?!?!

what’s all that mark on your ammo?

 

[kcofohio]

After I load a few hundred rounds of 357 I don’t much feel like organizing everything into my MTM cases. Since the bullet side of the loaded cartridge is heavier, I would think there would be a simple way to semi-automate The process of aligning and dropping into 50 or 100 slot cases, particularly for rimmed brass. Before I go try to make something for this purpose, I thought I’d see if anything already existed for that. I couldn’t find much in my searches, but maybe I’m not searching with the correct words???

Over the years, I have collected 8 or so MTM 50 cal. ammo boxes. Along with many 50 and 100 round ammo cases that fit nicely into them.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1564262075?pid=967885

The 50 cal. ammo cans can hold 1k of 9mm or 380 auto in the cases. About 700 rounds of 375 SIG, 40, or 45 auto in the cases.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use the markers too. I.E if testing Green dot, Red dot Blue dot. I use a marker of the corresponding color.

 

[kcofohio]

what’s all that mark on your ammo?

It goes with the data on the index card. So I know what I was shooting and how the case/primer looks after firing. Plus, if the range is crowded, I can identify that they're my spent cases.

 

[higgite]

Depends on how much your time is worth to you. For a mere $13,000, you can save a couple of minutes. Be sure to watch the video to see how easy it is. You're welcome.

https://www.evergladesammo.com/camdex-223-case-trimmer-1.html

Don't let the URL fool you. It's not a case trimmer.

 

[Mark_Mark]

It goes with the data on the index card. So I know what I was shooting and how the case/primer looks after firing. Plus, if the range is crowded, I can identify that they're my spent cases.

smart!

 

[GravelRider]

I've started using ammo cans for my bulk 9mm and 223, which I load several thousand rounds at a time in my Dillon. For everything else I don't load at enough of a volume to really care about taking the time to box it up. And to be honest, it's less about the time it takes, as it is about the added expense of dozens of extra ammo boxes.

 

[bullseye308]

I load mine right into ammo cans and have one of the kids put them 100 at a time into MTM boxes for the range as we usually don’t shoot more than 100 per trip anymore of 357. For 9mm we just take an ammo can with us.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Ziplocks and ammo cans, with a 3x5 card with all the specifics of the cartridge in the can.

 

[BJung]

I place my reloads in 1lb coffee bags. One roast is called Big Trouble. I put my .45 - 230gr reloads in those. I then store these bags in a 50cal ammo can. If I had my choice, I'd built a bunker either away from the house or under the foundation. My brother had a house fire years ago. Two 50 cal cans we found looked like swiss cheese. Ammo that was shielded from the fire but not the heat had to be disassembled. The heat destroyed the powder.

 

[bcook4321]

Depends on how much your time is worth to you. For a mere $13,000, you can save a couple of minutes. Be sure to watch the video to see how easy it is. You're welcome.

https://www.evergladesammo.com/camdex-223-case-trimmer-1.html

Don't let the URL fool you. It's not a case trimmer.

I was envisioning something quite a bit simpler. I’m not sure I have room for that next to my Dillon square deal press.

 

[JEBruns]

My CZ Shadow 2 Orange is a little picky on ammo, so I have to use the Hundo case gauge on my reloads. If they pass that test, they are 100% reliable. So transferring them to shell boxes is easy from there.

 

[Seedy Character]

After I load I just drop them into all my MTM cases, only takes a couple of minutes to do. I also fill out a load card with all the cartridge info that goes into the case. I load hundreds of pistol rounds in multiple calibers and the easy part is dropping them into the
plastic case. Not sure how you would automate this, by the time you set up this auto process you could have just manually dropped them into the case.

Have grandson boxing them, as I crank handle.

 

[kcofohio]

To add, the MTMs stack nicely.

 

[buck460XVR]

After I load a few hundred rounds of 357 I don’t much feel like organizing everything into my MTM cases.

Part of the process of taking the bullet from the press to the box is to inspect it and make sure everything looks good. Those few extra seconds it it takes, IMHO, is what makes for quality ammo.