A question for those who recycle spent primers

FITASC · November 24, 2021, 06:14 PM

What does the recycling center classify them as - steel, aluminum, brass, something else? IDK why I started to collect my spent SP and 209s, but I have. Was just wondering when I bring them in what exactly do I tell them I have?
TIA! (and Happy Thanksgiving to one and all)

**Unclenick** · November 24, 2021, 07:22 PM

Their mass is mostly brass plus some nickel plating plus some primer combustion residue, which includes water-soluble lead compounds. So, while brass would be the predominate mass, the presence of lead residue may make them less attractive to some recyclers. But I don't know that for a fact.

Crankylove · November 24, 2021, 11:20 PM

My local yards classify primers and cartridge cases as “dirty brass”. I get about 1/2 the price per pound as their “clean” brass.

“Dirty” or “clean” referring not to actual dust or dirt, but any coatings (nickel plating), impurities/inclusions (valves and fittings with build up of whatever was flowing through them, or different metal types, plastics, rubber, etc) inside, or in some way not removable from the brass scrap.

I don’t take it on very often, since it’ll take me a couple years to fill up my scrap brass jug with spent primers and unusable brass cases, but, when I do, it’ll buy me lunch, and a couple boxes of bullets or bags of new brass. Worth the effort for something I would otherwise be tossing in the trash.

FITASC · November 25, 2021, 09:48 AM

Thanks!

SonOfGun · November 25, 2021, 09:51 AM

209 primers are a mix of brass and steel.

Check them with a magnet.

Shadow9mm · November 25, 2021, 10:44 PM

never thought about that. will start saving my primers. I still have about 3k 223 to deprime.

AVirginian · November 26, 2021, 06:52 AM

I have taken them to the recycler several times with my other junk brass, nothing said and full price paid. I just put them in the box.

std7mag · November 26, 2021, 08:36 AM

I had never considered taking spent primers to the metal recyclers.

I do segregate my brass casings from the nickle, aluminium, and steel.

Never thought about the primers though.

BCR1 · November 26, 2021, 09:23 AM

I make over 1K a year selling brass pick-ups from my club range and I throw in my spent primers from loading also, never said a word about it.

Bill

**Unclenick** · November 26, 2021, 04:55 PM

That's because fired cases, with their carbon-stained interiors, are also "dirty" brass.

Geezerbiker · November 27, 2021, 04:56 AM

At one time I was considering making gas checks for .224 cast bullets from spent large rifle primers. In the end I decided it was too much work. Now with powder coating as an option, I really haven't given it much thought in a very long time...

Tony

Prof Young · November 27, 2021, 11:52 AM

The one time I had enough unwanted brass to take it to the recycler they never said anything about all the spent primers that were mixed in.

Prof Young

FrankenMauser · November 27, 2021, 03:41 PM

Dirty brass, here.
Mixed with brass cases is fine, since they classify it all the same, anyway.

Last time I took my brass jug in (about 1.75 gallon capacity, former kitty litter container), prices were pretty crappy. But I needed to empty the jug.
I got about $58 for the contents. Normally, it should pay out $75-95.

One of the guys did comment about the primers, though. He told me that on the days when he is working, he'll give 'clean' brass price on casings if there are no primers. So the primers going into a big, plastic soy sauce bottle, now.

November 24, 2021, 06:14 PM	#1
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	A question for those who recycle spent primers What does the recycling center classify them as - steel, aluminum, brass, something else? IDK why I started to collect my spent SP and 209s, but I have. Was just wondering when I bring them in what exactly do I tell them I have? TIA! (and Happy Thanksgiving to one and all) __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

November 24, 2021, 07:22 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Their mass is mostly brass plus some nickel plating plus some primer combustion residue, which includes water-soluble lead compounds. So, while brass would be the predominate mass, the presence of lead residue may make them less attractive to some recyclers. But I don't know that for a fact. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 24, 2021, 11:20 PM	#3
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	My local yards classify primers and cartridge cases as “dirty brass”. I get about 1/2 the price per pound as their “clean” brass. “Dirty” or “clean” referring not to actual dust or dirt, but any coatings (nickel plating), impurities/inclusions (valves and fittings with build up of whatever was flowing through them, or different metal types, plastics, rubber, etc) inside, or in some way not removable from the brass scrap. I don’t take it on very often, since it’ll take me a couple years to fill up my scrap brass jug with spent primers and unusable brass cases, but, when I do, it’ll buy me lunch, and a couple boxes of bullets or bags of new brass. Worth the effort for something I would otherwise be tossing in the trash. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

November 25, 2021, 09:48 AM	#4
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Thanks! __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

November 25, 2021, 10:44 PM	#6
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	never thought about that. will start saving my primers. I still have about 3k 223 to deprime. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

November 25, 2021, 09:51 AM	#5
SonOfGun Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 111	209 primers are a mix of brass and steel. Check them with a magnet.

November 26, 2021, 06:52 AM	#7
AVirginian Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 128	I have taken them to the recycler several times with my other junk brass, nothing said and full price paid. I just put them in the box.

November 26, 2021, 08:36 AM	#8
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I had never considered taking spent primers to the metal recyclers. I do segregate my brass casings from the nickle, aluminium, and steel. Never thought about the primers though. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

November 26, 2021, 09:23 AM	#9
BCR1 member Join Date: January 25, 2021 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 108	I make over 1K a year selling brass pick-ups from my club range and I throw in my spent primers from loading also, never said a word about it. Bill

November 26, 2021, 04:55 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	That's because fired cases, with their carbon-stained interiors, are also "dirty" brass. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 27, 2021, 04:56 AM	#11
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	At one time I was considering making gas checks for .224 cast bullets from spent large rifle primers. In the end I decided it was too much work. Now with powder coating as an option, I really haven't given it much thought in a very long time... Tony

November 27, 2021, 11:52 AM	#12
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Hmmm . . . The one time I had enough unwanted brass to take it to the recycler they never said anything about all the spent primers that were mixed in. Prof Young

November 27, 2021, 03:41 PM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Dirty brass, here. Mixed with brass cases is fine, since they classify it all the same, anyway. Last time I took my brass jug in (about 1.75 gallon capacity, former kitty litter container), prices were pretty crappy. But I needed to empty the jug. I got about $58 for the contents. Normally, it should pay out $75-95. One of the guys did comment about the primers, though. He told me that on the days when he is working, he'll give 'clean' brass price on casings if there are no primers. So the primers going into a big, plastic soy sauce bottle, now. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.