Primer color

[cc56]

I was at the range today and I picked up my brass. So my question is, the "gold" colored primers are factory fresh right? Then the "silver" primers are reloads right? So... If I go through my stash and pick out the gold primers then I can pretty safely expect those to be once fired only? Also How often do you guys measure 45ACP brass that has been fired?

[ETD1010]

not always true. From my experience in reloading, Winchester primers are gold, CCI primers are "silver." best way I can see if a round has been reloaded is to look for the marks left by the resizer. not sure if pistol rounds show this as much as rifle.... other than that, I don't care if it's once fired or not... it's free!!

[jandmtv]

not always true. From my experience in reloading, Winchester primers are gold, CCI primers are "silver." best way I can see if a round has been reloaded is to look for the marks left by the resizer. not sure if pistol rounds show this as much as rifle.... other than that, I don't care if it's once fired or not... it's free!!

a big +1


i just inspect them once i get home, most of the range pick-up brass is once fired anyway, darn mil crimps give that away.

[ar15barrels]

Old Winchester (component) primers are silver.
About 5 years ago or so, they started making them without the nickel plating.
Just because they are silver or gold, you can't use that to determine if brass you scrounge is new, once fired, reloaded or otherwise.
The better thing to watch is to look for extraction/ejection marks.
This is just too tedious to matter in most cases though.

[grywlfbg]

As others have said - no guarantee. I use CCI #41 military primers in my reloads and they're gold.

[CAT_101]

Also How often do you guys measure 45ACP brass that has been fired?

I use to measure mine every other time but found that the case will fail befor it gets too long. I usaly get over 12 reloads on a 45ACP case. But that is using the IDPA PF of 165 = 712 FPS with a 230 gr.

[ViPER395]

Primer color will not tell you if you're firing reloads or fresh brass.

[bohoki]

Primer color will not tell you if you're firing reloads or fresh brass.

well i'm thinking if you see "gold" primers in cases other than winchester it would probably be safe to assume it was reloaded

[ViPER395]

well i'm thinking if you see "gold" primers in cases other than winchester it would probably be safe to assume it was reloaded

Remington use gold colored, and some Wolf is gold (really dark).

Federal use silver (at least in American Eagle)

CCI use silver

Winchester uses gold.

according to what I have on the top of the stacks right now.

[bohoki]

Remington use gold colored, and some Wolf is gold (really dark).

Federal use silver (at least in American Eagle)

CCI use silver

Winchester uses gold.

according to what I have on the top of the stacks right now.

wow remington went to non plated primers may i ask the cartridge designation you have in front of you?

[ViPER395]

wow remington went to non plated primers may i ask the cartridge designation you have in front of you?

Ya ya. Hold on. Let me do a more thorough check.

[ViPER395]

Remington Express PSP .223

Remington (greenbox) 30-06