brass for a new to you caliber

[scythefwd]

I generally ask co workers who shoot that caliber to save up some brass for me. I got 300 pieces from a co worker in .40 free. Another 1200 in .45 acp free. Another 1400 or so in .308 free. Now I just need a .45 acp die set and components and I'll be off running.

 

[cfullgraf]

In years past, I get range pick ups, buy once fired brass, buy new, or get some brass from friends.

Now a days, I shoot mostly off my back porch and I have decided I do not care to fool with public range pick ups any more so I buy new brass. Also, I buy a box or two of factory ammunition with a new gun so that I can get a base line for my reloads. Of course the brass adds to my new collection.

30 Carbine was a recent exception from the above. I got into 30 Carbines during the shortage in 2009. I scrounged 30 Carbine brass where ever i could find it.

 

[fpgt72]

It depends on the caliber.

Common calibers like 9mm & .223 can often be purchased once-fired cheaply, or found on the ground at a shooting range.

Slightly less common calibers like .380 ACP & .45 ACP that you can buy bulk pack ammo for at Wallyworld?
Buy the cheap stuff & shoot it for the brass.
You can often buy it on sale loaded, almost as cheap as you can reload it with good bullets.

Really uncommon calibers like .218 Bee, .45 Colt, .44 Spl, 25-20 WCF, etc, I reload.
I buy a 250 or 500 quantity of new brass.
Buying loaded ammo to shoot up for this brass is crazy expensive.

rc

I do the same thing, but with some of the off the wall stuff like 7.5 French it is still cheaper to buy the loaded stuff shoot it, then save the brass. New brass is pretty darn expensive for some of the things I shoot, but it is still the way to go 30-40 Krag for example.