How many pcs. of .45 ACP brass in a gal cal bucket?

rocko · September 29, 2002, 08:24 PM

Sort of a strange question for you volume reloaders... Anyone know approximately how many pieces of .45 brass can fit in a 5 gal bucket? Working on buying a decent volume and curious to what exactly I may be getting. The most .45 brass I've had at once is around 750 - IIRC, that would prolly fill about 1/10th of a 5 gal bucket, so I'm thinking around 7500 cases. Anyone who's actually filled a 5 gal bucket let me know if my estimate is in the average ballpark?

Thanks,
Rocko

**Mike Irwin** · September 29, 2002, 09:52 PM

10x2 to the negative 5th skajillion...

How about counting out 100 or 200, then weighing them.

Then weigh the bucket, subtract the weight of the bucket empty, and divide to arrive at a rough figure.

Navy joe · September 29, 2002, 11:03 PM

My deal was to get a scoop that when level reliably held 120-125. Counted that a few times to make sure then went to scooping. A full 20mm can hold about 5000 it seems.

Shoney · September 29, 2002, 11:11 PM

How about counting the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 20.

But if its going to be a heaping bucket, count the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 22.375484967439.

But then again, if its a skimpy bucket, count the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 19.184269549437.

But on the other hand, maybe Mr Irwin was right, or was there a square root in there or a bajillion or even a gazillion or...........................

And what if there are 3.683% 9MM cases and 1.427% 40 S&W cases mixed in....................

Or what if.................................

Cee-Zed · September 29, 2002, 11:19 PM

I have a plastic 5 quart container intended for mixing paint (about 50 cents at Home Depot). 1,000 .45 cases do not come close to filling it up. I am guessing a 5 gallon bucket would be @7,000-10,000 cases.

I think this was more the type of answer you were hoping for...

BigG · September 30, 2002, 09:29 AM

I got a five gallon bucket of 45 ACP and you can shoot for a long time without depleting it. The best estimate I got for volume is a messahandfuls.

Johnny Guest · September 30, 2002, 09:44 AM

A one-pound coffee can will comfortably hold about 185 empty .45 ACP cases. If this helps, excellent. You're on your own from there - - -

If you DO get the number in, say, a one-gallon container, I'd be grateful to know the answer.

Best,
Johnny

Southla1 · September 30, 2002, 12:34 PM

A lot?

larryw · September 30, 2002, 03:02 PM

Does whomever comes closest to guessing the correct amount get the bucket-o-brass?

6999

Poodleshooter · September 30, 2002, 03:13 PM

Isn't this traditionally done with jellybeans? I'll definitely need the proffered lure of a prize to venture a guess.

sricciardelli · September 30, 2002, 09:39 PM

There are two easy ways of figuring this, if you really wanna know.

The first is to calculate the volumn of one .45ACP shell. Then calculate the volumn of the bucket. Divide the volumn of the bucket by the volumn of the shell.

The other is using water.

Fill the bucket with water, and then fill enough .45ACP cases so that the bucket has no more water...

(second suggestion is tongue-in-cheek)

blades67 · September 30, 2002, 10:34 PM

Let us know when you get done counting.

Southla1 · October 1, 2002, 12:42 AM

Now to get serious LOL. You could always do it by weight. Weigh an empty can. Weigh a case.

Wegh the full can................Hell I don't have to go farther you know what I mean.

It would be accurate to within 2% r 3 % probably

griz · October 1, 2002, 10:38 AM

I use three pound margarine tubs to sort brass. One of those half full has very close to 200 in it. Since that looks like about a quart of cases, I'll guess 5 gallons is 4013 cases.

Do I win?

k5blazer · October 1, 2002, 12:36 PM

Is this a test? I suffer from math anxiety and was thinking I was back in college.

SW 586 · October 2, 2002, 03:25 PM

Natural brass or nickel plated?

rocko · October 2, 2002, 05:54 PM

Thanks for the input. I was able to fit a few under 200 empties into a 1 quart container (duh, why didn't I think of this...), so it looks like a bit under 4000 will fit in a 5 gal bucket.

As to why... No, no math test or "jelly bean" contest

. My range sells all its pickups (mostly once fired magtech brass, since that is what they sell) at the same price for all calibers. As a result, .45 brass is a great deal, 9mm is waaay overpriced. However, they only sell in baggies of roughly 100 a piece, and I was gonna ask about a possible discount in volume. They have 55 gal drums inside the range that always seem filled. Figured a 5 gal bucket's worth was a good start, but I just wanted to get a better idea as to how many cases I'd be getting before I started negotiating. I though it'd be much more - maybe I'll have to start with 2 buckets before I can get them to give me a decent discount...

Rocko

Steve Smith · October 2, 2002, 06:04 PM

so you'll get roughly 8000 cases of .45? Man, that'll outlast your kids!

Borf · October 2, 2002, 06:07 PM

sricciardelli - you forget about packing efficiency. Further complicated due to the (I presume) lack of orderly loading of the bucket. There's a lot of airspace when you've got brass tossed into a container!

sricciardelli · October 2, 2002, 08:44 PM

Borf...yup, you're right.

Guess he'll just have to stomp them flat so that they will pack nicer...

Cee-Zed · October 2, 2002, 11:01 PM

Borf is right. What he means is that a five gallon container will hold more SOLID matter than 20 quart containers will hold. Try it. 1,000 .45s don't come very close to filling a 5 quart bucket (for mixing paint). HOWEVER, I did forget that the 5 quart line is almost an inch from the rim. I still say it's got to be at least 5,000 in a five gallon bucket (which is also probably a little bigger than five gallons).

rocko · October 3, 2002, 09:15 PM

Well, here's the "score" - 8.5 gallons of .45ACP (1 5gal & 1 3.5gal bucket):

Tumbler is workin' overtime as we speak! I'll let everyone know the final number when I count it - I just gotta know now

.

Rocko

john kilgore · October 4, 2002, 12:03 PM

BOY AIN'T THAT PERTY !!
Most of them are once fired from the looks of the innerds of the ones where you can see the flash holes.
Great buy, .......... as long as theyr'e all reloadable and not crimped military primers.
I hope you didn't get a bunch of "Blazers" and "Wolfs", steele and aluminum are great, except in cartridge cases.

Ben Swenson · October 4, 2002, 03:34 PM

*drool*

caz223 · October 5, 2002, 02:49 AM

OMG that's just what I need...just one 55 gallon barrel of .45 brass.

September 29, 2002, 08:24 PM	#1
rocko Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2001 Posts: 229	How many pcs. of .45 ACP brass in a 5 gal bucket? Sort of a strange question for you volume reloaders... Anyone know approximately how many pieces of .45 brass can fit in a 5 gal bucket? Working on buying a decent volume and curious to what exactly I may be getting. The most .45 brass I've had at once is around 750 - IIRC, that would prolly fill about 1/10th of a 5 gal bucket, so I'm thinking around 7500 cases. Anyone who's actually filled a 5 gal bucket let me know if my estimate is in the average ballpark? Thanks, Rocko Last edited by rocko; September 30, 2002 at 06:21 AM.

September 29, 2002, 09:52 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,388	10x2 to the negative 5th skajillion... How about counting out 100 or 200, then weighing them. Then weigh the bucket, subtract the weight of the bucket empty, and divide to arrive at a rough figure. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 29, 2002, 11:03 PM	#3
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	My deal was to get a scoop that when level reliably held 120-125. Counted that a few times to make sure then went to scooping. A full 20mm can hold about 5000 it seems. __________________ FY47012

September 29, 2002, 11:11 PM	#4
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	How about counting the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 20. But if its going to be a heaping bucket, count the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 22.375484967439. But then again, if its a skimpy bucket, count the number of cases in a quart jar and multiplying by 19.184269549437. But on the other hand, maybe Mr Irwin was right, or was there a square root in there or a bajillion or even a gazillion or........................... And what if there are 3.683% 9MM cases and 1.427% 40 S&W cases mixed in.................... Or what if................................. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

September 30, 2002, 09:29 AM	#6
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	I got a five gallon bucket of 45 ACP and you can shoot for a long time without depleting it. The best estimate I got for volume is a messahandfuls. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

September 29, 2002, 11:19 PM	#5
Cee-Zed Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2002 Posts: 481	I have a plastic 5 quart container intended for mixing paint (about 50 cents at Home Depot). 1,000 .45 cases do not come close to filling it up. I am guessing a 5 gallon bucket would be @7,000-10,000 cases. I think this was more the type of answer you were hoping for...

September 30, 2002, 09:44 AM	#7
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Or another way to cackalate it - - - A one-pound coffee can will comfortably hold about 185 empty .45 ACP cases. If this helps, excellent. You're on your own from there - - - If you DO get the number in, say, a one-gallon container, I'd be grateful to know the answer. Best, Johnny

September 30, 2002, 12:34 PM	#8
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	A lot?

September 30, 2002, 03:02 PM	#9
larryw Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Posts: 336	Does whomever comes closest to guessing the correct amount get the bucket-o-brass? 6999

September 30, 2002, 03:13 PM	#10
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Isn't this traditionally done with jellybeans? I'll definitely need the proffered lure of a prize to venture a guess.

September 30, 2002, 09:39 PM	#11
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	There are two easy ways of figuring this, if you really wanna know. The first is to calculate the volumn of one .45ACP shell. Then calculate the volumn of the bucket. Divide the volumn of the bucket by the volumn of the shell. The other is using water. Fill the bucket with water, and then fill enough .45ACP cases so that the bucket has no more water... (second suggestion is tongue-in-cheek) __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

September 30, 2002, 10:34 PM	#12
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	Let us know when you get done counting. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

October 1, 2002, 12:42 AM	#13
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	Now to get serious LOL. You could always do it by weight. Weigh an empty can. Weigh a case. Wegh the full can................Hell I don't have to go farther you know what I mean. It would be accurate to within 2% r 3 % probably

October 1, 2002, 10:38 AM	#14
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	I use three pound margarine tubs to sort brass. One of those half full has very close to 200 in it. Since that looks like about a quart of cases, I'll guess 5 gallons is 4013 cases. Do I win?

October 1, 2002, 12:36 PM	#15
k5blazer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2001 Posts: 111	Is this a test? I suffer from math anxiety and was thinking I was back in college.

October 2, 2002, 03:25 PM	#16
SW 586 Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2000 Posts: 269	Natural brass or nickel plated? __________________ "I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left"

October 2, 2002, 05:54 PM	#17
rocko Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2001 Posts: 229	Thanks for the input. I was able to fit a few under 200 empties into a 1 quart container (duh, why didn't I think of this...), so it looks like a bit under 4000 will fit in a 5 gal bucket. As to why... No, no math test or "jelly bean" contest . My range sells all its pickups (mostly once fired magtech brass, since that is what they sell) at the same price for all calibers. As a result, .45 brass is a great deal, 9mm is waaay overpriced. However, they only sell in baggies of roughly 100 a piece, and I was gonna ask about a possible discount in volume. They have 55 gal drums inside the range that always seem filled. Figured a 5 gal bucket's worth was a good start, but I just wanted to get a better idea as to how many cases I'd be getting before I started negotiating. I though it'd be much more - maybe I'll have to start with 2 buckets before I can get them to give me a decent discount... Rocko

October 2, 2002, 06:04 PM	#18
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	so you'll get roughly 8000 cases of .45? Man, that'll outlast your kids! __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

October 2, 2002, 06:07 PM	#19
Borf Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 424	sricciardelli - you forget about packing efficiency. Further complicated due to the (I presume) lack of orderly loading of the bucket. There's a lot of airspace when you've got brass tossed into a container! __________________ A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. -- Wiliam James If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money it values more, it will lose that, too. -- W. Somerset Maugham

October 2, 2002, 08:44 PM	#20
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	Borf...yup, you're right. Guess he'll just have to stomp them flat so that they will pack nicer... __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

October 2, 2002, 11:01 PM	#21
Cee-Zed Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2002 Posts: 481	Borf is right. What he means is that a five gallon container will hold more SOLID matter than 20 quart containers will hold. Try it. 1,000 .45s don't come very close to filling a 5 quart bucket (for mixing paint). HOWEVER, I did forget that the 5 quart line is almost an inch from the rim. I still say it's got to be at least 5,000 in a five gallon bucket (which is also probably a little bigger than five gallons).

October 3, 2002, 09:15 PM	#22
rocko Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2001 Posts: 229	Well, here's the "score" - 8.5 gallons of .45ACP (1 5gal & 1 3.5gal bucket): Tumbler is workin' overtime as we speak! I'll let everyone know the final number when I count it - I just gotta know now . Rocko

October 4, 2002, 12:03 PM	#23
john kilgore Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2002 Location: east georgia Posts: 125	BOY AIN'T THAT PERTY !! Most of them are once fired from the looks of the innerds of the ones where you can see the flash holes. Great buy, .......... as long as theyr'e all reloadable and not crimped military primers. I hope you didn't get a bunch of "Blazers" and "Wolfs", steele and aluminum are great, except in cartridge cases. __________________ "There is no such thing as a second place winner in a gunfight" Bill Jordan

October 4, 2002, 03:34 PM	#24
Ben Swenson Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Posts: 1,210	drool

October 5, 2002, 02:49 AM	#25
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	OMG that's just what I need...just one 55 gallon barrel of .45 brass. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)