Reloading "dummy" rounds

LastManOut · March 28th, 2008, 08:51 AM

I've made up some dummy .38 rounds for practice with a dab of colored silicone in the primer pocket.

What I am hoping to find an answer to a way to color the cases to help designate them as the practice rounds. I don't believe paint would be the best option. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

QKShooter · March 28th, 2008, 12:42 PM

Available From Brownell's

cj · March 28th, 2008, 01:17 PM

Colored Sharpie maybe? Not sure how well it would hold up, but I mark the case heads to identify which were mine, and that's held up decently.

LastManOut · March 28th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QKShooter

Available From Brownell's

Thanks. That's what I was looking for.

rocky · March 28th, 2008, 09:24 PM

I thought about doing the same , but for the price just went w/ snap caps.

Colin · March 29th, 2008, 01:15 PM

I use old casings with the old primer left in, you can put a tiny piece of wood in to keep the bullet from sliding back in, I then drill the case so it's clear that it is a dummy round, generaly 3-4 holes is fine.

nutz4utwo · April 1st, 2008, 12:11 PM

so that "brass black" stuff can be bought from any jewelry supplier of chemical supply house as well. They use it to add a patina to brass and make it black or antique. If you have any liver of sulphur lying around you can use that as well. Use common sense when you use it, glasses, ventalation, gloves...

here are some brass patina formulas:
Patina Formulas for Brass, Bronze and Copper

ridurall · April 7th, 2008, 06:48 PM

The cost of changing calibers in a progressive loader is quite a bit more expensive then with a single stage press or turret press. I started with a RCBS Rockchucker and back in the early 1980's got a progressive Universal machine. (Berdon copy) While it will load fast I only load .357 and 45 ACP on it. All my rifle calibers reloading is on the Rockchucker and I also use my Rockchucker for testing my lead for hardness with a Lee hardness tester. I also use a Belding and Mull powder measure with the Rockchucker which will not work with a progressive press. It's about the most accurate powder measure available. As someone else mentioned, working up loads is much easier with a single stage or turret press. Actually the turret press is about 1/2 way between a single stage and progressive press. You might look at that for your first press.

March 28th, 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
LastManOut Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 396	Reloading "dummy" rounds I've made up some dummy .38 rounds for practice with a dab of colored silicone in the primer pocket. What I am hoping to find an answer to a way to color the cases to help designate them as the practice rounds. I don't believe paint would be the best option. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

March 28th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#5
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 10,871	I thought about doing the same , but for the price just went w/ snap caps. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

April 7th, 2008, 06:48 PM	#8
ridurall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 658	The cost of changing calibers in a progressive loader is quite a bit more expensive then with a single stage press or turret press. I started with a RCBS Rockchucker and back in the early 1980's got a progressive Universal machine. (Berdon copy) While it will load fast I only load .357 and 45 ACP on it. All my rifle calibers reloading is on the Rockchucker and I also use my Rockchucker for testing my lead for hardness with a Lee hardness tester. I also use a Belding and Mull powder measure with the Rockchucker which will not work with a progressive press. It's about the most accurate powder measure available. As someone else mentioned, working up loads is much easier with a single stage or turret press. Actually the turret press is about 1/2 way between a single stage and progressive press. You might look at that for your first press. __________________ Life member NRA since 1983 I normally carry a Sig Pro .40 in a Crossbreed IWB but when necessary will switch to: Baby Eagle .40 W/Kramer holster Bersa Thunder380 Kel-Tec P3AT Skyy 9mm

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March 28th, 2008, 12:42 PM	#2
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Runthegun, PA. Posts: 17,975	Available From Brownell's

March 28th, 2008, 01:17 PM	#3
cj Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 76	Colored Sharpie maybe? Not sure how well it would hold up, but I mark the case heads to identify which were mine, and that's held up decently.

March 29th, 2008, 01:15 PM	#6
Colin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,149	I use old casings with the old primer left in, you can put a tiny piece of wood in to keep the bullet from sliding back in, I then drill the case so it's clear that it is a dummy round, generaly 3-4 holes is fine.