Still can't believe how many don't reload

[Flash]

I usually go by the local shooting range during the few days, leading up to the opening day of deer season with firearms. In the past two days, I culled about 20 lbs of rifle and handgun brass from bins set up for depositing your fired cases, rather than leaving them on the ground. Of course it's a benefit to the ones that do reload but it's still hard to believe this was generated in two days.

[cwlongshot]

SHHH, Be quiet!!   You gonna loose some of my valuable brass supply!! LOL

 I know what you mean Flash!! Even some long time shooters who I know, I have been surprised to find out that they do not load.

CW

[bilmac]

Enjoy it while you can. The scrap price of brass is getting so high that if any of those guys find out about it they will be cleaning it up. What a sad thing. I was selling some scrap steel the other day and they had barrels full of empty cases. I told them that they could get a better price for it if they took it to the local sporting goods store, but I know my advice went in one ear and out the other.

[DANNY-L]

There are alot of people out there young and old that shoot alot that just dont trust a reload,so let them spend there money on full price and at times less qaulity.

[LunaticFringeInc]

I know what you mean!  I think about 90% of my brass comes from picking up the empties at the range and volunteering for that slot on the monthly range clean up day.  I have built up on heck of a stash of cases to a point where I doubt I will run out of brass any time soon.

[Flash]

I know what you mean!  I think about 90% of my brass comes from picking up the empties at the range and volunteering for that slot on the monthly range clean up day.  I have built up on heck of a stash of cases to a point where I doubt I will run out of brass any time soon.

That's for sure! I have cases measured in pounds and some by five gallon buckets. No, none are for sale. At least not yet anyway.

[necchi]

My sources are drying up. I belong to two clubs.
 One has faced further permit restrictions and now has a paid RO on duty during limited open hours, you can pick up your own brass, but any left by non-loaders is kept for scrap   (The owner knows the value and probably turns in a $1000 or more each year).
 The other is a private club and the board members go out early and frequently and grab most of it before anyone else can git it!
(pricks! )

But ya gotta be darn carefull! GB has a story of useing range pick-up in his early years, and blew the action on a gun from bad brass!
Not all show signs as obvious as this, (case head seperation), the one on the right ain't got no visable cracks!!;



So be carefull guy's. At least do the paper clip feel test !! I got the RCBS Case Master Gauging Tool that allows me to check case wall thickness. Any that show even the slightest flat spot get tossed in the scrap bucket.
You'll find on this and other forums guy's selling 1x fired brass for a good price, that stuff can be range pick-up of unknown back ground.
I ain't got the prettiest face, but I don't need any more cool scars. And I've gotten kinda attached to my fingers, I wanna leave'm there, know what I mean ?  

[Flash]

But ya gotta be darn carefull! GB has a story of useing range pick-up in his early years, and blew the action on a gun from bad brass!
Not all show signs as obvious as this, (case head seperation), the one on the right ain't got no visable cracks!!;
So be carefull guy's. At least do the paper clip feel test !! I got the RCBS Case Master Gauging Tool that allows me to check case wall thickness. Any that show even the slightest flat spot get tossed in the scrap bucket.
You'll find on this and other forums guy's selling 1x fired brass for a good price, that stuff can be range pick-up of unknown back ground.
I ain't got the prettiest face, but I don't need any more cool scars. And I've gotten kinda attached to my fingers, I wanna leave'm there, know what I mean ?  

Know what you mean about used up brass. I focus on this time of the year, when the factory ammo boxes are in the trash cans by the dozzens so there's little chance of getting anything but once fired brass. I know the headspace could be bad on someone's gun but the odds of that are pretty low. I still look my brass over real good before ever reloading it but you still have good advice.

[Czech_too]

I'm not gonna complain about the free brass.  I've scrounged plenty over the years and still do although at times I wonder why, habit?  But I also look at it from a different perspective.  How many of us now could afford to drop what it would cost for our reloading set-ups now?  The Rockchucker, which I started with 40 years ago, is running $320 and that's without dies.  Add to that the cost of brass, bullets, primers and powder!  You're looking at a serious chunk of change just to get started.  Granted there are less expensive outfits out there but you're still looking some serious money.  I don't even want to know how much I've got tied up in equipment let alone supplies.

[mbopp]

I was on the handgun range a few weeks back & there were 2 guys shooting Win WB 45's. They swept up the brass & were heading towards the garbage can when I asked if I could have it. So now I'm 200 more cases to the good.
I'd have to say most guys reload though. 9mm & .40 is easy to come buy, anything bigger is rare.

[Reverend Recoil]

The Marine and Army Marksmanship Unit team shooters do not spend any time at a reloading press.  They are at the firing range every day.  My son made friends with the Marine shooting instructors at Camp Perry this year.  We came home with 5000 Hornady, WWC, and Lake City 223 Rem cases.  He will be back next year for more.  Every little bit of costs savings helps in highpower rifle competition.  It can be an expensive game.  I shot out my last barrel in only nine months.  It's finally starting to pay off with master scores.

[necchi]

"  How many of us now could afford to drop what it would cost for our reloading set-ups now? "

 I only started 2 years ago(?) I didn't by a kit, just picked up stuff I needed as I went along. Some used, some new. Got most everything by the end of a year and I know I'm over 600. Been throwing reciepts in a box, yet to date, I'm afraid to look in there and tally up.
 Inflation adjusted, I don't think it's much more now then it was 20 years ago.
 But at say $20 per box of ammo (conservative), I've easily loaded and fired $1k total in 3 different guns and have NO regrets. The quality and consistancy and accuracy of the stuff we can load has made the venture well worth the cost.
 And now I'm set, just componants and keep on shootin,,  Wish I'd a done it 20 years ago, not for the savings, but for the experiance and the time I missed.

[wreckhog]

I pick up range brass as a habit, but rarely reload it. How much 9mm and .223 can I stand to reload? Personally, not too much. The stuff I would like to find (22 Hornet, 7.5 Swiss, 303 Brit, 444 Marlin, etc) never shows up.

[huntducks]

I have been reloading with my own set up since mid 60's and have seen the reloading ranks go up and down over the years I started with what I could afford back then or got thru gifts back then in 60's 70's there was never a shortage of used stuff and most went for 25% of new I remember buying my first RC press 10-10 scale and redding PM all used for $30 about 1970 and I still have same 10-10 and PM to this day.

The reloading ranks have grown 3-4 fold in the last 2-3 years that said just getting started today costs a bunch even if buying used, when I see a used RCBS RC selling on ebay for 80-90% of new or a used 550 dillon going for 90-95% of new you know that the good deals of just 5 years ago have dried up that's not to say you can't find one at a yard sale or thru a friend of a friend last summer I walked into a gunshop and they just put out a 550 on consignment W/ 4 caliber changes and extra tool heads and measures for $235 in like new condition I listed my older 550 on ebay and got more then I thought I would.

I PU range brass all the time BUT i'm pickey what I PU only major brands Rem. WW. FC. so on I only take 1x fired unless it's some odd ball.

I don't PU the common pistol stuff anymore 9mm 38 40 45acp how many coffee cans can you keep moving around.

[CherokeeT]

Those that don't reload keep the ammo compaies in business so we can get brass, bullets and primers for reloading.  Just a thought.....  Me, been loading since 58 and will continue to do so.

[necchi]

If nuthin else I pick up for scrap;
The stuff is worth a buck 60 a pound, this here is just a half of an ice cream pail !   A full ice cream pail is about 20#'s,

[Old Fart]

I got started when I was a kid.
The old fart next door learned me how to do it.
I still have my old 7.7 Ariska Lee hammer set.

I pickup all the range brass at my house and any range I'm at.
Most of it goes back into service.
But the ton of 22lr brass and any odd balls go to the scrap yard.

[Dixie Dude]

What type of gun is likely to be damaged in a case head seperation?  Most of mine are bolt guns, but I though it would hold and just get broken or stuck and have to be pulled out or pushed out of the action.  I could see semi-autos being a problem, maybe levers, but aren't bolt guns safer with reloads?