range won't let me keep my own brass!?

No but I would not return to that place, sounds like a greedy crook.
you can buy a brass catcher so the brass dont hit the deck.

Not in my area, luckily. However, I have heard about this - I forgot if it was on THR or another gun forum, but apparently the person posting about the range policy very diligently ejected their revolver brass into a container on the shooting bench and was yelled at for taking it.
Aside from that, how did they know you were picking it up for yourself and not just being nice and cleaning up after yourself??

You need to find another range.

Sounds like theft to me. I mean if your cell phone falls out of your pocket and hits the floor does that make it his too. I think not and neither is your brass. Pick up your hulls leave and don't go back.

I have to agree with everyone else here.
Find another range. That's just nonsense.

id go there with steel case (Tul or Wolf Ammo) and or aluminum case (CCI ammo) ammo and let them have it.

he is probably selling it to a reloader somewhere. I would find aluminum , steel or brass cased rounds that are berdan primed and shoot a few of them there. once that starts messing up the reloading machines and they have to start sorting it their cheap source of brass ain't so cheap anymore.

The range I go to likes to use the brass people sweep up to do reloads, but they don't demand that you leave it there.

I've heard of a few people saying that. Some places to go so far as to require you to buy their (overpriced) ammo and STILL not get to keep the brass. They generally sell it to reloaders.

Find another range. I wouldn't even shoot at a range with a range officer let alone one that bosses you around

JERRY said:

id go there with steel case (Tul or Wolf Ammo) and or aluminum case (CCI ammo) ammo and let them have it.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I did at a range I visited a couple times while I was in Vegas last summer - The RO gave me crap for collecting my LC 5.56 brass, so the next day instead of bringing my good brass cased ammo, I got my dad and a few friends and we went out there with around 2000 rds of Tula and Wolf ammo so I could "demonstrate" the new SSAR-15 stock I had at the time - The RO (same guy) had the gall to ask if we were going to clean up all our steel cases. I told him quite clearly what he could do with it.

It's easy to look at it as part of the range fees, or general shooting costs like the gas you use to get to the range. I recognize that range owners get some good bucks from recycling (re-smelting or re-loading),but:

Part of the shooting sports is individual reloading for best performance, completely aside from the money-saving aspect of it.

Even fireforming your cases to your chamber and then neck-sizing only is a legitimate recognized accuracy enhancer for rifles, and I would not shoot at a range where I could not salvage my own fireformed brass.

Terry, 230RN

Just left the range I've been going to for a few years and when i finished shooting I was picking up my brass until the owner came in and said once the brass hits the floor I can't take it! My own ammo! Have you guys ever heard of such a thing?

Click to expand...

Is that "detail" clearly posted at the range?

If so, I would never return. If not I would first complete the retrieval of my brass and then never return.

JMO

I would have no problem with the rule as long as it is plainly stated. A local skeet range used to have a big red sign saying:

ALL EMPTY SHELLS BECOME RANGE PROPERTY.

I would have a real problem if I were NOT told in advance or if the sign were posted where I could not see it until after I had paid.

Make sure it is not in the fine print of the release form you sign. When in doubt ask.

Another sign I have seen said:
All UNCLAIMED brass becomes range property.

In other words, you could pick up your own brass just not that left behind by other peoples who did not want it. To me that sounds reasonable.

Again, when in doubt ask and let them know that your patronage depends on you being allowed to retrieve your brass.

Thankfully, I shoot at a range that lets you grab anything that is the cold side of the firing line. Anything over the red line stays where it is at unless you volunteer to clean the lanes after hours.

I just have to pick a night that I can volunteer.

The range I go to charges a dollar a box to shoot steel case but they also let you keep your brass (and any other you might pick up with it).

The local indoor public range I shoot at has signs clearly posted that brass that is forward of the line is considered range property- this is a policy I actually have no problem with. With an outdoor range, where the line is called cold to post/repost targets and whatnot, this policy is a little more lame. But yeah, if you don't like a range's policies, find a new range.

They sell the brass to commercial reloaders, either for cash, or for discount on loaded ammo from said reloader.

You are going to pay for it one way or another. If the policy was that you could take all the brass you could carry, you'd just be paying the difference in higher line rental fee.

I believe the local policy at the indoor range here is that you can pick up your own brass if it is marked, but not brass that didn't come out of your gun.

id go there with steel case (Tul or Wolf Ammo) and or aluminum case (CCI ammo) ammo and let them have it.

Click to expand...

That is what I would recommend. Get an AK 74 and a spam can of surplus ammo and use it all in one session.

You should have no problem with ANY range policy on brass provided you are informed in advance of entering exactly what the policy is. After all it is private property and you have a free choice to come in or not.

I once went to a day long shooting seminar. The first half of the day all class room instruction. We were not told of the ranges brass policy until after lunch when we actually were on the firing line ready to shoot. I was working with a .44 Special revolver and did not want to donate my expensive brass especially since I was not told in advance. I told the owner that since I had not agreed to that condition therefore the rule was not legally binding. The range owner agreed and it was resolved amicably.

I shot at a range like that once. I reminded the owner that because of the rule every single piece of brass on the floor was his and was a hazard and I sincerely hoped someone - me - didn't slip and fall because of his brass littering the floor.

He looked like a deer in the headlights when he realized the consequences of claiming ownership of all the trash on the floor.

John

Can they reload my brass after I've stepped on it?

There's always the option of a brass catcher too - You can easily make one from a laundry bag, a wire hanger and a strip of velcro, or you can buy one of the many rifle mounted or standalone units that are offered for sale.

Just so I have this straight, reloaders (who probably shoot more than the average gun owner) are unable to clean up their own mess and reload the brass that they purchased so they may return to the range and again pay a range fee?

Sounds like a fantastic way to alienate customers.

If the ranges want free brass, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who'd rather not take the time to gather theirs. No need to bother reloaders. FWIW, I don't reload.

They have to inform you about the brass rule before you enter.
There have been court cases over things like this.