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I am just getting into reloading and have a couple of questions.

1. Is primer color any indication of whether a shell has been previously reloaded? The reason I ask is that I bought some brass for reloading and have separated my cases by headstamp. In all of the groups, some of the cases have brass colored primers and others have silver ones.

2. This brass had been tumbled but not deprimed. When I went through it, I found 4 cases with live primers. They had no firing pin mark and went bang when I put them in my XD and pulled the trigger. I think I know the answer to this but I am going to ask anyway. Was this nothing to worry about or was I about to have a really bad day?

Primers can be brass or nicked brass (silver-color); I would not try to judge "new" once-fired from "many-times reloaded" on the basis of primer color, but sometimes it can be a tip - e.g. when you find a whole bunch of .45 ACP brass marked R-P with silver primers, and an empty cardboard box that says "Remmington .45 ACP", it is a good bet the brass is once-fired.

S&B puts red sealant on their primers. When you find S&B brass with intact red sealant, you can pretty much bet it is once-fired.

I am at a loss about the primed but not loaded brass you found. Look for cracks around the case mouth, or other defects; if someone primed it and threw it away, it might be because they spotted a flaw. Other than that, I haven't got a clue.

Anyway, welcome to reloading - it is a wonderful hobby and will allow you to shoot a lot more for the same amount of money. And to tailor your ammo to your needs, and so forth. When you find yourself paying too much attention to where the case went, to the detriment of your shooting concentration, it is time for a revolver - they don't throw brass away and a lots of fun in their own right. Have fun!

Regards,
Andrew