How perfect does free range-brass need to be?

[dmills]

I am reloading for 25-06 and reluctantly picked up some 30-06 range brass to resize.  Almost all came from a known shooter and I know it is once fired brass.  A few are ASSUMED to be once fired because I think most reloaders would not be discarding brass that way.

Of those from unknown shooters, one or two have tiny nicks on them that appear to be from being stepped on.  The nicks are down on the body of the shell and not on the shoulder or neck.  So my question is whether cases with those minor nicks are usable or are they discards. 

[Lloyd Smale]

if its made of brass i pick it up and use it.

[Almtnman]

I would tend to think it was once used brass as I don't see many reloaders that will leave any at the range. The nicks should be OK. I have shot some that had the oil dents in the shoulder that another reloader loaded up with no problems.

[The Sodbuster]

I've run a lot of ammo through my .25-06 rifle that I loaded from .30-06 brass I picked up at the range.  There's concrete around the benches, so when it rolls around and/or gets stepped on it gets scratched up.  Unless it's seriously dented or squashed I use it.  Always needs trimming after sizing, but otherwise works fine for me.

Like yourself, I figure if it's on the ground it's once fired.  A reloader wouldn't let brass go to waste.  I grew up with a mother who abhorred waste.  Paper plates and paper towels were in tatters before they were discarded.  I don't know how many weeks/months I used the same plastic bag for my sandwich in my lunch box.    Apple don't fall far from the tree.

[ggeilman]

I think I am the only one shooting 45/70 at my range and not many 30-30 shooters there either. Not worth it for me to hunt. Occasionally I may find a round or two, but they are usually too bend up.

[dmills]

I think I am the only one shooting 45/70 at my range and not many 30-30 shooters there either. Not worth it for me to hunt. Occasionally I may find a round or two, but they are usually too bend up.

That's one nice thing about the 25-06.  On any given trip to the range I will see several 30-06 shooters and at least one shooting .270, both of which neck down nicely to the 25-06. 

Every once in a while I see someone shooting a 45/70, but it seems that mosta those guys are saving their brass as they go.  I'm thinking about getting a 45/70 barrel in the spring, so I'm starting to keep my eyes open for those cases also.

[dw06]

Like yourself, I figure if it's on the ground it's once fired.  A reloader wouldn't let brass go to waste. 

Don't count on it.Don't mean to bust you're bubble but as a reloader after 5-10 firings depending on what I'm shooting,when I fire it the last time I'm going to for that batch and I happen to be at a range when I do,I jack it out on the ground.But other reloaders do to,so not a good idea to pick up brass unless you see the guy shooting factory shells and is not a reloader.Many times I've just aks if I could have it and they were glad to give it away.

[Almtnman]

I think I am the only one shooting 45/70 at my range and not many 30-30 shooters there either. Not worth it for me to hunt. Occasionally I may find a round or two, but they are usually too bend up.

Every once in a while I see someone shooting a 45/70, but it seems that mosta those guys are saving their brass as they go.  I'm thinking about getting a 45/70 barrel in the spring, so I'm starting to keep my eyes open for those cases also.

I have noticed that most people that shoots a 45/70 myself included is a reloader. The reason for that is, if you bought a 45/70 rifle, you're just about going to have to relaod to get what it's capable of doing as the factory fodder is simply too mild. On the other hand if you're shooting an old Trapdoor rifle, then you will be sticking to factory stuff. I don't see many Trapdoors at the range.