Price of scrap brass cartridge cases?
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ReloaderFred
Member
I just sold a little over 250 pounds of scrap brass for $1.36 a pound in Salem, OR. That was about $.07 more than the dealer in Eugene. Since I was going to Salem anyway, that's where I sold the brass.
If you have more than one scrap dealer in your area, shop around. There is no fixed price and they're like used car dealers, in reverse. They will pay what they think they can get away with, starting low. If you have enough to mess with, say a couple buckets full, then when they quote a low price, tell them you're going to the other guy, who offered you more. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. It all depends on supply and demand, but the demand for copper, brass, aluminum and steel is way up right now.
I was reading in Shooting Sports Retailer magazine yesterday that the ammunition companies (Winchester, Remington, Federal, etc.) are taking a big hit on raw materials. They say they've been trying to keep the price increases to a minimum, but their costs have more than doubled, so there is going to be another big price increase after the first of the year.
Hope this helps.
Fred
If you have more than one scrap dealer in your area, shop around. There is no fixed price and they're like used car dealers, in reverse. They will pay what they think they can get away with, starting low. If you have enough to mess with, say a couple buckets full, then when they quote a low price, tell them you're going to the other guy, who offered you more. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. It all depends on supply and demand, but the demand for copper, brass, aluminum and steel is way up right now.
I was reading in Shooting Sports Retailer magazine yesterday that the ammunition companies (Winchester, Remington, Federal, etc.) are taking a big hit on raw materials. They say they've been trying to keep the price increases to a minimum, but their costs have more than doubled, so there is going to be another big price increase after the first of the year.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Car Knocker
Member
Scrap metal dealers that buy from the public - check the Yellow Pages.
No, just has to be reasonably clean brass - no steel or aluminum cases.
Novus Collectus
Member
Depends on where you live too. In my area scrap dealers that take spent brass are scarce because only a few of them have big armor plated cookers (That is how someone described it to me) that they can put the brass in to set off any unexpended cartridges that may be in the mix.
Kali Endgame
member
If the pieces are still viable then sell them on ebay. Some of those auctions are getting stupid expensive. More than the cost of NIB.
donttellthewife
Member
The going price for brass in the Portland, OR area is about 1.40 a pound unless it's spent ammo cases then it's only .40 a pound. They say they have to handle it differently and can't ship it over seas to China unless it's smelted first. Sounded just like a used car salesman to me, I won't be going back to Metro Metals anytime soon. I have been told that ammo that's cooked off from heat alone won't have any great speed to the shrapnel thus there would be no need for an armor plating.
If the brass has any life in it sell it to reloaders. It's a sin to keep good cases form becoming a loaded round again. Heck I even reload bedan cases in 308, 7,5x55, 7,62x39 and would reload berdan 223 if I could find small rifle berdan primers
If the brass has any life in it sell it to reloaders. It's a sin to keep good cases form becoming a loaded round again. Heck I even reload bedan cases in 308, 7,5x55, 7,62x39 and would reload berdan 223 if I could find small rifle berdan primers
rangermonroe
Member
I just got .$80 / lb, day before yesterday. Better than a sharp stick in the eye, but I had hoped for a bit more.
papabear47
Member
Scrapping brass
Got .80 cents a pound in August.Sold 174 pounds yesterday at the same scrap yard for 1.10 per pound when the owner recognized me.This was all brass that was damaged or heavily reloaded.I pick it up at my pistol/rifle range all year long.
Got .80 cents a pound in August.Sold 174 pounds yesterday at the same scrap yard for 1.10 per pound when the owner recognized me.This was all brass that was damaged or heavily reloaded.I pick it up at my pistol/rifle range all year long.
trickyasafox
Member
i have been meaning to sell mine, but if i had 30-35lbs i'd be suprised. i think i'll wait until i get a bit more, and instead of cash maybe i'll see if i can get them to trade me lead at a better price? might not be a bad way to get into casting. seems kinda painless.
ReloaderFred
Member
Donttellthewife,
Next time you have some brass to sell, take it down to Salem, to Cherry City Recycling, and get top dollar for it. The owner is honest. The current price is a little over $1.40 a pound there.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Next time you have some brass to sell, take it down to Salem, to Cherry City Recycling, and get top dollar for it. The owner is honest. The current price is a little over $1.40 a pound there.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Alvin in AZ
Member
I'm getting $1 a pound but it goes both ways they sell it to me for a $1 pound too.* 
Last time I was there they had half a dumpster load of 30-06 308 and 223 only... guessed it was from the local Air Base... but it was only partly military stuff (LC) mostly R-P and FC. (?)
*got any 30-30 boxes?
Alvin in AZ
Last time I was there they had half a dumpster load of 30-06 308 and 223 only... guessed it was from the local Air Base... but it was only partly military stuff (LC) mostly R-P and FC. (?) *got any 30-30 boxes?
Alvin in AZ
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