I got a real brass problem

jeeptim · May 12, 2014

So this is my problem... Been scrounging brass fot years I have three 5gallon bucketts over flowing this is not counting my stash of way more then I will ever need.
Figuring now may be a good time to sort and sell but this task seems overwhelming
This is going to take weeks of spair time.
So as of now breaking it down. 45 auto and bigger pistol in one tub, 223 in an other, rifle in an other 32, 38,, 357, in one and the rest 40 cal and smaller in the last. got 3/4 of the first done this eve this is take a moment.
Do we think its worth it or should I just take it to the recycler? It is all good 98% once fired.
Seemd like a ton of work.

Boho · May 12, 2014

Jeeptim,
I have sold a lot of brass in the last 6 months, the buying slowed recently. I've also given a small amount away in the "pay it forward" thread. The recycling price for brass in my area dropped 50 cents a pound on the first. If you just wanna get rid of it I'd call your recycler and see what they are paying. It may be better to wait a little while. I may have an interest in a few calibers by the pound, at a better price than the recycler, if you decide to sort those out. PM me if you're interested.

horsemen61 · May 12, 2014

Keep it you can never have two much :evil:

ArchAngelCD · May 12, 2014

jeeptim said:
So this is my problem... Been scrounging brass fot years I have three 5gallon bucketts over flowing this is not counting my stash of way more then I will ever need.
Figuring now may be a good time to sort and sell but this task seems overwhelming
This is going to take weeks of spair time.
So as of now breaking it down. 45 auto and bigger pistol in one tub, 223 in an other, rifle in an other 32, 38,, 357, in one and the rest 40 cal and smaller in the last. got 3/4 of the first done this eve this is take a moment.
Do we think its worth it or should I just take it to the recycler? It is all good 98% once fired.
Seemd like a ton of work.

I would not sell good brass to the scrap yard especially since all reloading components are hard to get over the past 2 years.

I know it seems overwhelming, just don't do it all at once. Instead of trying to separate all the brass at once try doing 1 bucket at a time and don't spend all your spare time on the brass. From what I'm reading there seems to be no reason you have to get it done right now and fast.

Personally I would not get rid of any brass no matter how much I have. If I don't shoot that cartridge right now I probably will in the future. I also use spare brass for trading with other reloaders.

Jesse Heywood · May 12, 2014

ArchAngelCD said:
I know it seems overwhelming, just don't do it all at once. Instead of trying to separate all the brass at once try doing 1 bucket at a time and don't spend all your spare time on the brass. From what I'm reading there seems to be no reason you have to get it done right now and fast.

It took years to collect the brass. Getting it sorted is like trying to eat an elephant. Goes faster if you carve off a piece at a time.

gamestalker · May 12, 2014

I wouldn't sell it. Good brass, and especially that of known origin, has a value that exceeds it's monetary value, IMO. I would keep it, you just never know what will happen in these particularly difficult times we have been dealing with.

GS

41 Mag · May 12, 2014

You could save some time investing in a set of these, Shell Sorter

If there is a particular caliber you don't really shoot or need you could sell enough of them to cover the cost. Might not do so well for the rifle, but with the smaller more meticulous ones would be a real time saver.

Beanie-Bean · May 12, 2014

I use the shellsorter trays, and it cuts down on the sort times tremendously. They are one of my favorite reloading tools.

Walkalong · May 12, 2014

I sort it all by hand, and try not to get behind, because then it gets to be tedious. I have given some away, and I have thought about selling some, but I have two kids and several nephews that could use brass from time to time, plus I'm a scrounger. You can never have too much. If you want to get rid of it, sell it to reloaders, don't scrap good brass. That is a waste IMO.

oldpapps · May 12, 2014

It must be a perception thing. 5 gallon bucket of brass or 10 5 gallon buckets, so what. It took some time to collect, why get in any hurry to sort it.

First thought, for me, what do I load? Scrapping what I need is not dollar wise.
Next thought, I have no use for 'it', someone will, sort it and sell it. The new owner will be happy and you too.

I don't like for my next to the youngest granddaughter to help me when I'm loading. She never wants to stop, I'm not in a rush. It's a pass time during retirement. It's a pass time for you when you have the time and nothing better to do. Don't get in a hurry, a little at a time.

wally · May 12, 2014

I usually shoot several calibers and keep a little lunch-box type container filled with trays from old factory ammo (the ones from Wolf .45ACP give a nice visual reference with 9mm even with the top, .380 below) and sort them as I pick them up.

Gives me a nice opportunity to look for neck splits and reject any Berdan primed cases and the evil WinNT small primer .45ACP cases.

I never could keep up with the sorting when I just picked them all up into a single container.

I got a real brass problem

jeeptim

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Boho

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horsemen61

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ArchAngelCD

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Jesse Heywood

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gamestalker

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41 Mag

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Beanie-Bean

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Walkalong

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oldpapps

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wally

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