Range Brass

TBOY · August 9, 2001, 03:23 PM

Should you pick up your brass as you shoot it or leave it on the ground? I saw a lot of brass on the ground, but picked mine up. Just wondering what everyone else does. I don't reload either. Just cleaned my mess.

Gewehr98 · August 9, 2001, 03:31 PM

And at some ranges, including the one I am a range officer at, it's posted clearly that shooters are indeed responsible to pick up after themselves, to include their brass, even if it's rimfire.

Although, as RO, I do exercise the right to go through the brass bins and claim any reloadable discarded brass I may fancy!

dinosaur · August 9, 2001, 03:38 PM

I only use brass and I pick them up. Not so much because I`m a swell guy and I don`t reload. I leave nothing for anyone else to use since they litter and otherwise try to destroy the place.

This is a pet peeve of mine. There is an old timer I run into once in awhile who reloads and has helped me with my rifle shooting. I keep the brass in my truck and give it to him.

Ronin 99 · August 9, 2001, 10:12 PM

Pickin'up my brass seems like the right thing to do. Just a matter of all around respect I guess.
Ronin

OF · August 9, 2001, 10:34 PM

The only people who don't police up their brass on my range are the police. We have to clean up after them. King County Sheriff's Officers shoot .40S&W, which I reload, so I don't mind that much.

- Gabe

David Park · August 9, 2001, 11:50 PM

At my local indoor range, nobody but LEOs are allowed to pick up their brass. I think the range sells the brass to reloaders. I don't reload so I don't mind the policy. I do try to sweep my brass out of the way to avoid tripping over it.

OF · August 10, 2001, 12:07 AM

They won't let you pick up your own brass? That's odd...I mean, you do own it and all that.

- Gabe

bastiat · August 10, 2001, 12:22 AM

I pick up and save it (except for .22 which gets thrown away).

I don't reload but figure there's always the possibility that I might start one day.

Subby · August 10, 2001, 01:18 AM

The local scrapyard here recycles brass as well as aluminum cans. Any brass that can't be reloaded goes into a five gallon bucket, when it's full, go get a couple bucks from the salvage guys. I usually pick it up while I'm letting the guns cool down.

Sub

ArmySon · August 10, 2001, 08:47 AM

I reload so obviously I'll pick my brass and anybody else's that doesn' want em. Brass is one of the expensive items in reloading. It's pointless to pay for it when there's so many people that do not reload and just chuck their brass!

I have over 10,000 rounds always loaded. In other words, more ammo than I can possibly shoot. Once that stockpile gets to 5K or so, I'll load up another couple of thousand. I never worry about not having enough rounds to shoot.

1911Fencer · August 10, 2001, 09:59 AM

The range I go to says you can keep your brass, but any brass left behind by others belongs to them. I guess they sometimes pick it up and recycle it. Sometimes I'll pilfer a few cases, because I do reload.

I'm surprised to hear that so many people don't reload! It's amazing the $$ you can save with a little investment in equipment. A couple years of shooting and reloading, and the money you've saved pays off the equipment (a lot less time if you shoot a whole lot!)

put it this way, .45ACP costs around $15/50 for 230FMJ. You can reload it with lead bullets for a cost of between $.05 and $.10.

M@

Kermit · August 10, 2001, 11:08 AM

I pick up brass only to keep the area around me easier to get around in. I shoot indoors with 3-5 buddies and it gets pretty busy moving in and out of lanes with brass on the ground. A lot safer if the floor is clear. Plus, a couple of us reload and having brass is always a plus.

Legionnaire · August 10, 2001, 11:15 AM

Unless rules to the contrary, I always pick up my brass. My mama taught me to "Always clean up after yerself." I typically pick up more than I put down, just keeping the range tidy. I keep what I want and trash the rest. In my opinion, picking up brass is one of those "should do" things that's pretty easy to accomplish. Just like carrying a trash bag with me when I'm hiking or hunting and picking up the Poland Spring water bottles left behind by the wackos that say hunters abuse the land.

Poodleshooter · August 10, 2001, 11:19 AM

I pick up all reloadable brass that I find, whether it is mine or others. I do admit to leaving my .22 and Wolf around. I figure the fact that I pick up other's brass as well as my own makes up for this laziness on my part.

handgunhunting · August 10, 2001, 02:18 PM

If you shoot a 22-center fire of a 6 mm you can use them rim fire cases to make the bullets, all you need is about $200 worth of corbin swigging dies and the core maker
Pick up the brass and then do a little digging in the backstop for the lead you can save lots of money.

David Park,
I would find a new range they are ripping you off. You bought the brass so it is yours This is like saying that if your handgun falls on the floor it is theirs. You need to ask why do they think they can have your brass that you paid for.

David Park · August 10, 2001, 08:27 PM

I'll ask the guys about the "no picking up brass" rule the next time I'm at the range. They also say they must approve ammo "to insure safety", but they've never asked what I was shooting. I'm wondering if they allow Wolf ammo since it's not reloadable. If I find out the reason for the rule, I'll report back.

handgunhunting · August 10, 2001, 09:00 PM

if you want a safe cheep factory load that will get to them use cci blazer. they use non reloadible alumianum cases with a brandin primers

jtduncan · August 10, 2001, 09:16 PM

GRD:

Are you a member of the SPAA? I'm a civilian member and love that darn range. Cleanest and nicest outdoor range in the State of Washington.

We'll have to hook up one of these days. I'm just 10 minutes from the range from work. makes for some nice lunch hours or two!

I always gather my brass and anybody else's that I reload. But when its 22 rimfire, I sweep it forward of the line to keep the floor clean and nice looking.

If you don't reload though, to be nice ask the folks around you, they may want your brass.

RHarris · August 12, 2001, 02:02 AM

When a range doesn't allow picking up brass, it obvios they somehow profit from it, whether its reloading, selling it, or simply recylcling metal. They seem to be requiring a brass donation. In the name of consistency, shouldn't they REQUIRE me to drop my revolver brass?

Gonzo_308 · August 12, 2001, 07:23 AM

At my range before they remodeled they had lead residue problems on the cement floor and they were supposed to sweep all the brass down range into a collector so that it could be cleaned.

If you were really nice to them they would sell you used brass at a very good price. basically recouping their time. I got no beef with that.

They have since remodeled and have better ventilation so this isn't a problem.

August 9, 2001, 03:23 PM	#1
TBOY Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2001 Posts: 13	Range Brass Should you pick up your brass as you shoot it or leave it on the ground? I saw a lot of brass on the ground, but picked mine up. Just wondering what everyone else does. I don't reload either. Just cleaned my mess.

August 9, 2001, 03:31 PM	#2
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,068	It's considered the courteous thing to do... And at some ranges, including the one I am a range officer at, it's posted clearly that shooters are indeed responsible to pick up after themselves, to include their brass, even if it's rimfire. Although, as RO, I do exercise the right to go through the brass bins and claim any reloadable discarded brass I may fancy! __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

August 9, 2001, 03:38 PM	#3
dinosaur Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: NE Pa. Posts: 1,245	Nobody picks up the Wolf steel case or CCI aluminum at the state range. I only use brass and I pick them up. Not so much because I`m a swell guy and I don`t reload. I leave nothing for anyone else to use since they litter and otherwise try to destroy the place. This is a pet peeve of mine. There is an old timer I run into once in awhile who reloads and has helped me with my rifle shooting. I keep the brass in my truck and give it to him.

August 9, 2001, 10:12 PM	#4
Ronin 99 Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2000 Location: NY Posts: 521	Pickin'up my brass seems like the right thing to do. Just a matter of all around respect I guess. Ronin __________________ NRA/GOA/GOTF "Send Them Back to the Light"

August 10, 2001, 12:22 AM	#8
bastiat Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2001 Posts: 1,772	I pick up and save it (except for .22 which gets thrown away). I don't reload but figure there's always the possibility that I might start one day. __________________ Flashbunny.org - Pro-Freedom Propaganda Politically Incorrect & Pro-Gun Stuff To Buy

August 9, 2001, 10:34 PM	#5
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Posts: 2,239	The only people who don't police up their brass on my range are the police. We have to clean up after them. King County Sheriff's Officers shoot .40S&W, which I reload, so I don't mind that much. - Gabe

August 9, 2001, 11:50 PM	#6
David Park Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,224	At my local indoor range, nobody but LEOs are allowed to pick up their brass. I think the range sells the brass to reloaders. I don't reload so I don't mind the policy. I do try to sweep my brass out of the way to avoid tripping over it.

August 10, 2001, 12:07 AM	#7
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Posts: 2,239	They won't let you pick up your own brass? That's odd...I mean, you do own it and all that. - Gabe

August 10, 2001, 01:18 AM	#9
Subby Member Join Date: December 10, 2000 Posts: 94	The local scrapyard here recycles brass as well as aluminum cans. Any brass that can't be reloaded goes into a five gallon bucket, when it's full, go get a couple bucks from the salvage guys. I usually pick it up while I'm letting the guns cool down. Sub

August 10, 2001, 08:47 AM	#10
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	I reload so obviously I'll pick my brass and anybody else's that doesn' want em. Brass is one of the expensive items in reloading. It's pointless to pay for it when there's so many people that do not reload and just chuck their brass! I have over 10,000 rounds always loaded. In other words, more ammo than I can possibly shoot. Once that stockpile gets to 5K or so, I'll load up another couple of thousand. I never worry about not having enough rounds to shoot. __________________ Your friends will forgive your mistakes. Your enemies will kill you for it.

August 10, 2001, 09:59 AM	#11
1911Fencer Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2001 Location: TEXAS... and proud of it! Posts: 120	The range I go to says you can keep your brass, but any brass left behind by others belongs to them. I guess they sometimes pick it up and recycle it. Sometimes I'll pilfer a few cases, because I do reload. I'm surprised to hear that so many people don't reload! It's amazing the $$ you can save with a little investment in equipment. A couple years of shooting and reloading, and the money you've saved pays off the equipment (a lot less time if you shoot a whole lot!) put it this way, .45ACP costs around $15/50 for 230FMJ. You can reload it with lead bullets for a cost of between $.05 and $.10. M@ __________________ The strongest are not those who always win, but those who get up after they're knocked down.

August 10, 2001, 11:08 AM	#12
Kermit Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,019	I pick up brass only to keep the area around me easier to get around in. I shoot indoors with 3-5 buddies and it gets pretty busy moving in and out of lanes with brass on the ground. A lot safer if the floor is clear. Plus, a couple of us reload and having brass is always a plus.

August 10, 2001, 11:15 AM	#13
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2000 Location: Western PA Posts: 1,454	Unless rules to the contrary, I always pick up my brass. My mama taught me to "Always clean up after yerself." I typically pick up more than I put down, just keeping the range tidy. I keep what I want and trash the rest. In my opinion, picking up brass is one of those "should do" things that's pretty easy to accomplish. Just like carrying a trash bag with me when I'm hiking or hunting and picking up the Poland Spring water bottles left behind by the wackos that say hunters abuse the land. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

August 10, 2001, 11:19 AM	#14
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,536	I pick up all reloadable brass that I find, whether it is mine or others. I do admit to leaving my .22 and Wolf around. I figure the fact that I pick up other's brass as well as my own makes up for this laziness on my part.

August 10, 2001, 02:18 PM	#15
handgunhunting Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 267	If you shoot a 22-center fire of a 6 mm you can use them rim fire cases to make the bullets, all you need is about $200 worth of corbin swigging dies and the core maker Pick up the brass and then do a little digging in the backstop for the lead you can save lots of money. David Park, I would find a new range they are ripping you off. You bought the brass so it is yours This is like saying that if your handgun falls on the floor it is theirs. You need to ask why do they think they can have your brass that you paid for. __________________ e-mail: handgunhunting@aol.com

August 10, 2001, 08:27 PM	#16
David Park Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,224	I'll ask the guys about the "no picking up brass" rule the next time I'm at the range. They also say they must approve ammo "to insure safety", but they've never asked what I was shooting. I'm wondering if they allow Wolf ammo since it's not reloadable. If I find out the reason for the rule, I'll report back.

August 10, 2001, 09:00 PM	#17
handgunhunting Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 267	if you want a safe cheep factory load that will get to them use cci blazer. they use non reloadible alumianum cases with a brandin primers __________________ e-mail: handgunhunting@aol.com

August 10, 2001, 09:16 PM	#18
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,681	GRD: Are you a member of the SPAA? I'm a civilian member and love that darn range. Cleanest and nicest outdoor range in the State of Washington. We'll have to hook up one of these days. I'm just 10 minutes from the range from work. makes for some nice lunch hours or two! I always gather my brass and anybody else's that I reload. But when its 22 rimfire, I sweep it forward of the line to keep the floor clean and nice looking. If you don't reload though, to be nice ask the folks around you, they may want your brass. __________________ The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/AR15/SGT/PCT/KTOG/SWF/RF/HKPRO/OA2/1911Forum Reloaded .223 Rem, 9mm, 40SW, 357 SIG, 10mm, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, 45 ACP Today?

August 12, 2001, 02:02 AM	#19
RHarris Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2000 Posts: 416	When a range doesn't allow picking up brass, it obvios they somehow profit from it, whether its reloading, selling it, or simply recylcling metal. They seem to be requiring a brass donation. In the name of consistency, shouldn't they REQUIRE me to drop my revolver brass?

August 12, 2001, 07:23 AM	#20
Gonzo_308 Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2000 Location: Sunbury, Ohio Posts: 1,368	At my range before they remodeled they had lead residue problems on the cement floor and they were supposed to sweep all the brass down range into a collector so that it could be cleaned. If you were really nice to them they would sell you used brass at a very good price. basically recouping their time. I got no beef with that. They have since remodeled and have better ventilation so this isn't a problem. __________________ Loaded like a freight train, flyin' like an aeroplane!