[soldier147]

Just a stupid question, I was looking into reloading and I've seen lots of ads for used brass, but on some they are picked up from a range and the prices aren't much further from brand new( I've done some research ). Should I ere on the side of caution and buy new so I can get the most use out of them or buy the used ones to save a couple of bucks, not knowing how many times they've been fired or what condition regardless if the range was indoor or not?

[jcwit]

What kind of brass as in pistol or rifle?
What caliber?
It does make a difference.

[soldier147]

Rifle calibers mostly like 270 Win and 7mmRem Mag. I don't jump on anything that I want, I look around elsewhere to see if the deal is worth it! Maybe that's why alot of times when I see something and take my time to look at other stuff, I miss out on good stuff. Just trying to stretch my dollar as far as I can ( of course if I know that it is a superb deal when I see it, then I go for it. )

[bullseye308]

Just starting out I would reccomend getting once fired from a reliable source. Once you know more and gain more experience, you will know how to go through the range brass and cull out the "bad" ones.

[soldier147]

I know someone who told me that there's a place near me that will charge you $2 a pound to sift through fired brass, maybe I should go there first.

[soldier147]

Bullseye, problem is I don't have a reliable source yet, so scratch that one.

[Coyote_Hunter_]

I've purchased used brass from oncefiredbrass.com and think it was a terrific deal.

[soldier147]

oops

[soldier147]

oops...... forgot to read Dave's STICKY first!

[rdhood]

Yes, it is worth it. I have always bought brass at a steep discount to brand new... and usually at a discount to everyone else selling it.

[kelbro]

The only brass that I leave at the range is when I have fired it 6-10 times. Same with some other folks at the range. And I know that we're not the only ones. For that reason, I would never buy range pickups.

[qajaq59]

Soldier, I sent along a PM.

[moooose102]

When i buy "used brass" , i only buy "once fired brass" from someone who has good feedback. It is possible to check on the truth of the statement simply by checking for extractor/ejector marks on the brass with an eye loupe. Typically, i pick a few random samples out of the batch, and if what i see looks correct, i am ok with it. I am certainly not going to check every single case! Anyway, if what you are looking at is more than 1/2 price of new, and is not advertised as once fired, i would probably pass and buy new. Some calibers, like 300 win mag., are notoriously hard on brass, and i will only buy new. Hope this helps.

[243winxb]

270 Win and 7mmRem Mag. New brass is the way to go for these calibers. You will get better accuracy if all brass is from the same lot/box. If you load to maximum you will get 3 or 4 reloads. Less pressure more reloads, maybe 8 or even 10.

[fineredmist]

The question is how much you will be using this brass and that will determine new or "once fired". New brass is usually sold in lots of 50 so loading "normal" loads you should be able to get between 500 to 750 rounds before the brass will possibly need replacing. Ask your self how long will it take to get to those numbers and make the decision. For someone starting I would suggest that you start with a known quality and buy new brass and as you become more knowledgeble then look for "once fired" brass.

[fguffey]

Do not know about the bargain, I would have to be desperate to pay retail for cases, the bargain in my opinion would come when I find (once fired) cases that were fired in large chambers, I have no control over new unfired ammo or cases, for some reason all the cases and ammo is manufactured too small to fit my chambers unless I short chamber for the ammo that is too small, back to once fired, you do not pay retail, you do not have to fire once to get ammo to 'fit' the chamber, at this point for reloading you did not pay for new ammo and you did not go to the range and fire the new ammo to get once fired cases, the bargain? you start with once fired cases, then, there is the matter of sizing to 'fit', more times than not sizing to 'fit' is used as an excuse to purchase more dies, neck sizing, bushing, 'X', small base, etc..a little more effort when sizing to 'fit' could make once fired cases a bargain, more equipment is not a bargain, unless the savings in once fired cases off sets the price of more sizing dies.

F. Guffey

[soldier147]

I am only going to use the reloaded rounds for hunting and just shooting for practice to become better. I'm not in to competition shooting, even though my buddy and have argued over who is better, and we plan on having a little wager on who is a better shot. On paper is fine, but he likes to poke fun at the fact that I shot a doe in the butt and the round went out the side of her head. Had a good shot to begin with and she moved her rear as I pulled the trigger. But that is for another thread. My dad told me to go get a handloader to start so I could save a little money. That's the main reason for me looking at reloading