Got a bunch of brass... what to do?

[halfded]

I have a bunch of brass in plastic bags from my trips out to the woods to shoot. I always try to find every casing (those who shoot autos know how long that can take) and walk home with a pocket full of spent brass.

My question is: What should I do with it?

I don't want to just throw it away, I know a lot of people reload, but I can't afford to get a reloading setup right now, nor do I really have the interest. Is there a market for once fired brass? Not really looking to make money out of it, but if I can that's more money to put back downrange. I don't have any friends that reload either, by the way.

Any ideas?

I have .38 and 9mm right now. Can shotshells (12 gauge) be reloaded too? I've been throwing those away, might have to start saving them.

 

[Deanimator]

Keep it. You may change your mind about reloading later. Do you think that once fired brass is going to be CHEAPER in the future?

 

[Boba Fett]

A while back, someone on THR posted a link to a place that did reloading and if you sent in your brass, you got a discount or they would reload it for you or something.

I can't find the link anymore (thought I bookmarked it).

Anyone remember which site that is?

 

[scottgun]

The guys selling reloads at gun shows will usually buy used brass. You won't get much for it, maybe .01 per shell, but its getting recycled.

 

[falling down]

Shot shells can be reloaded as well, they wear out eventually but are usually good for several reloads.

 

[coloradokevin]

Keep it. You may change your mind about reloading later. Do you think that once fired brass is going to be CHEAPER in the future?

Agreed! In retrospect, I wish I had saved brass for oh, say, the last twenty years or so that I was shooting! I never thought I was going to get into reloading until a couple of years ago, and a twenty year collection of once fired brass could have proved useful to me.

Moreover, I could be wrong here, but I don't think the market for range pick-up brass of unknown origin will yield you much money from reloaders. Your best bet might be to try a metal recycler, if you decide to rid yourself of these materials!

 

[Kind of Blued]

I say keep it. It doesn't take up much room, and you'll be glad you held onto it in the future when you finally realize how much sense it makes to reload.

You just have to trust us on this one.

P.S. Paging coloradokevin! I sold my .40 caliber Sig and am sticking to six (other) handgun calibers, so I have a few hundred pieces of free .40S&W brass for you and your Glocks.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've sold it as scrap, as "contaminated brass" IIRC. Also IIRC, I got about 30 cents a lb. for it.

 

[Incrediblerod]

Brass

Once in a while folks on "the forums" give it away to whoever wants it.
If it's 38 spl, 357 mag or 45 ACP, I personally know someone who would be interested in it.

You really should just keep. If and when you start reloading, you will be glad you did.

 

[jackdanson]

Keep it, you'll either find a friend that wants it or start reloading yourself. If you save up a lot you could try selling for cheap to someone at a range.

 

[fatelk]

Put it on the trader forum; someone will buy it if the price is right.
Two or three cents each for 9mm or .38 (maybe more, I haven't kept up with prices), plus shipping, would likely find a home quickly if you have enough to justify shipping costs.

I've sold it as scrap, as "contaminated brass" IIRC. Also IIRC, I got about 30 cents a lb. for it.

Wow, different scrap yards sure see things differently. I know metal prices are down now, but last year I got close to $2 a pound for "cartridge brass", and they had absolutely no problem with it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've reloaded for a long time, but in the past never bothered with .223 and 9mm because there was so little savings for the amount of work involved. As of late, that has changed, and I'm quite glad that, even though I didn't bother loading it before, I still held onto the brass for a rainy day.........because right now, it's a downpour.

 

[Afy]

Post it in the Reloading section on the Forum.
Someone might buy it.
If you have a lot of 9mm... there is at least one person who would be happy to buy it.

 

[ramis]

A while back, someone on THR posted a link to a place that did reloading and if you sent in your brass, you got a discount or they would reload it for you or something.

Right here. http://www.mastercast.net/index.html

 

[Deanimator]

Agreed! In retrospect, I wish I had saved brass for oh, say, the last twenty years or so that I was shooting! I never thought I was going to get into reloading until a couple of years ago, and a twenty year collection of once fired brass could have proved useful to me.

I've been reloading for handguns since I was in college in the late '70s. Had I not reloaded, I doubt I'd have shot even 25% as much as I have in all of this time.