Sounding Out the Brass

Any split brass in that pile you are about to reload?

1. Put a small batch of shells in your hand and shake it.
2. You should hear the sound of bells, clear high pitches.
3. If you hear a sour note, more of a thunk than a ding, one of the shells in your hand has a split.
4. Cut the batch in half and try again. If you still hear the thunk, the bad shell is in your hand. If not, it’s in the group you set aside.

If you have a piece of split brass on-hand already, use it for practice. Mix it with a batch of good brass and try this method to find it again.

Once you develop an ear for that klunker, you’ll hear it quacking like a duck in the midst of the choir.