Looking for brass swap

Once Fired · June 3, 2012, 12:51 AM

Hi all

I picked up about 45 pounds of mixed brass from a local range today, kicking off my reloading efforts. My goal is to acquire a whole slew of 9mm Luger so I can learn how to reload on the single stage press my father is giving me later in the week.

So, to prep, I grabbed a tumbler and media, and then threw in the once-fired brass I had personally used. And then I hit the local range looking for cheap brass.

Of course, I got a bunch of calibers other than what I need since it was mixed brass. I have a ton of .40, some .45 and a bit of .380 auto. I focused on getting as much pistol there as I could. And, there is no steel, no aluminum, and no .22 in what I got.

So, I am sorting and tumbling the brass now. I will keep all the 9mm (about half of total) and am looking to swap everything else I have for an equivalent weight of 9mm brass in a similar state.

I'm in the North Austin area - Cedar Park, specifically. If a swap isn't possible, we can work out a price for the brass. If all else fails, I can get about 85% of my cash back for the portion I don't need - the local recycler here will take clean brass.

Let me know if you're interested. Once the brass is clean, I'll get an approximate count and weight by caliber.

ZAG

Bush Pirate · June 4, 2012, 10:36 PM

I would be interested in a trade for the .45

Nomadicone · June 5, 2012, 01:15 AM

You didn't mention it but on the outside chance you come up with 41 Mag or 44 Spl I would trade some 9mm once fired for it.

griz · June 5, 2012, 07:00 AM

Do you have enough 380 to make shipping reasonable? I can trade 9mm for 380 but live in Virginia.

Once Fired · June 5, 2012, 11:52 AM

Hi guys

I will keep all options open for you guys.

I don't have much on the .380 auto yet - probably around 300-400 pieces. I have 1,150 for .40 for sure. And my .45 is being separated into small & large primer categories, so I will get a better count of those shortly.

I have precisely one rifle casing at this point. hahahhaha

But the range I went to has probably 10-12 5-gallon buckets with my name on them. The range closest to me just sold about 18 tons of brass to salvage - that was 6 months worth of spent brass they didn't sell to reloaders.

ZAG

math teacher · June 5, 2012, 12:04 PM

Bare in mind that brass left laying around a range may be once fired or reloaded to death which is why it was left behind. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are getting. Sorry Forrest!

moxie · June 5, 2012, 04:17 PM

You do know what you're getting in this case. Nearly all brass on the range is once fired. Reloaders pick theirs up, except some cases that are obviously split (reloaded to death). This is typically an insignificant percentage and is easy to cull out during the reloading process, if you do pick them up mistakenly. Not a problem.

Once Fired · June 5, 2012, 11:20 PM

Hi guys

Okay, for those of you interested in the .45 brass, I counted have 69 small primer, and the rest of them (381) are large primers.

Also, I have a question. I have been tumbling the cases since I picked them up. I have close to 5,000 cases from the partial 5-gallon bucket I bought, and it's taking a while. They're mostly Just Plain Dirty(tm).

I have noticed a few things already...

Steel cases are easily separated with a magnet (mostly already done by range that sold it to me, anyway)
Aluminum brass is usually easy to spot since it's flimsy & grey
Nickel plated is easy to spot if it's reasonably clean
It's the dirty brass that is the hardest

I have found a variety of what looks like ancient brass, or maybe a different metal. Check out this picture.

On the right is un-tumbled dirty cases, and one of those four is the darker type I am referring to. In the middle is tumbled, clean brass. On the left is also tumbled "clean" brass, but it is far darker, and frankly seems like it is a different metal altogether. What is this stuff?

Is it safe to reload such cases, assuming it does not seem to have physical defects? I don't have much of this stuff, so I don't mind tossing it out if need be. But I'd also prefer not to waste brass if I can.

I'm new at this and need all the brass I can to learn on. hahahahha

ZAG

June 3, 2012, 12:51 AM	#1
Once Fired Member Join Date: October 26, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 62	Looking for brass swap Hi all I picked up about 45 pounds of mixed brass from a local range today, kicking off my reloading efforts. My goal is to acquire a whole slew of 9mm Luger so I can learn how to reload on the single stage press my father is giving me later in the week. So, to prep, I grabbed a tumbler and media, and then threw in the once-fired brass I had personally used. And then I hit the local range looking for cheap brass. Of course, I got a bunch of calibers other than what I need since it was mixed brass. I have a ton of .40, some .45 and a bit of .380 auto. I focused on getting as much pistol there as I could. And, there is no steel, no aluminum, and no .22 in what I got. So, I am sorting and tumbling the brass now. I will keep all the 9mm (about half of total) and am looking to swap everything else I have for an equivalent weight of 9mm brass in a similar state. I'm in the North Austin area - Cedar Park, specifically. If a swap isn't possible, we can work out a price for the brass. If all else fails, I can get about 85% of my cash back for the portion I don't need - the local recycler here will take clean brass. Let me know if you're interested. Once the brass is clean, I'll get an approximate count and weight by caliber. ZAG __________________ Video games are for when you need to escape from reality. Responsible firearm ownership is for when you can't. Zombie Apocalypse Games Once Fired Lake City Brass Texas Security Guard Jobs

June 5, 2012, 01:15 AM	#3
Nomadicone Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 214	You didn't mention it but on the outside chance you come up with 41 Mag or 44 Spl I would trade some 9mm once fired for it. __________________ Outdoor Equipment Outfitter for your outdoor equipment needs www.outdoorequipmentoutfitter.org

June 5, 2012, 11:52 AM	#5
Once Fired Member Join Date: October 26, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 62	Brass swap Hi guys I will keep all options open for you guys. I don't have much on the .380 auto yet - probably around 300-400 pieces. I have 1,150 for .40 for sure. And my .45 is being separated into small & large primer categories, so I will get a better count of those shortly. I have precisely one rifle casing at this point. hahahhaha But the range I went to has probably 10-12 5-gallon buckets with my name on them. The range closest to me just sold about 18 tons of brass to salvage - that was 6 months worth of spent brass they didn't sell to reloaders. ZAG __________________ Video games are for when you need to escape from reality. Responsible firearm ownership is for when you can't. Zombie Apocalypse Games Once Fired Lake City Brass Texas Security Guard Jobs

June 5, 2012, 04:17 PM	#7
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	You do know what you're getting in this case. Nearly all brass on the range is once fired. Reloaders pick theirs up, except some cases that are obviously split (reloaded to death). This is typically an insignificant percentage and is easy to cull out during the reloading process, if you do pick them up mistakenly. Not a problem. __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

June 5, 2012, 11:20 PM	#8
Once Fired Member Join Date: October 26, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 62	Update Hi guys Okay, for those of you interested in the .45 brass, I counted have 69 small primer, and the rest of them (381) are large primers. Also, I have a question. I have been tumbling the cases since I picked them up. I have close to 5,000 cases from the partial 5-gallon bucket I bought, and it's taking a while. They're mostly Just Plain Dirty(tm). I have noticed a few things already... Steel cases are easily separated with a magnet (mostly already done by range that sold it to me, anyway) Aluminum brass is usually easy to spot since it's flimsy & grey Nickel plated is easy to spot if it's reasonably clean It's the dirty brass that is the hardest I have found a variety of what looks like ancient brass, or maybe a different metal. Check out this picture. On the right is un-tumbled dirty cases, and one of those four is the darker type I am referring to. In the middle is tumbled, clean brass. On the left is also tumbled "clean" brass, but it is far darker, and frankly seems like it is a different metal altogether. What is this stuff? Is it safe to reload such cases, assuming it does not seem to have physical defects? I don't have much of this stuff, so I don't mind tossing it out if need be. But I'd also prefer not to waste brass if I can. I'm new at this and need all the brass I can to learn on. hahahahha ZAG __________________ Video games are for when you need to escape from reality. Responsible firearm ownership is for when you can't. Zombie Apocalypse Games Once Fired Lake City Brass Texas Security Guard Jobs

June 4, 2012, 10:36 PM	#2
Bush Pirate Member Join Date: June 2, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 54	I would be interested in a trade for the .45

June 5, 2012, 07:00 AM	#4
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	Do you have enough 380 to make shipping reasonable? I can trade 9mm for 380 but live in Virginia.

June 5, 2012, 12:04 PM	#6
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	Bare in mind that brass left laying around a range may be once fired or reloaded to death which is why it was left behind. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are getting. Sorry Forrest!