What do you guys do with your trash brass?

[mattmcg]

As I have been handloading for a couple of years, I've thrown my trash brass into a bin. This includes brass that had damage to the body, dings in the neck, less than SAAMI headspace measurements, and other things that make them unloadable (like not reloading Federals).

Now that my bin is beginning to overflow, I was going to dump it all in the recycle bin but thought there surely had to be a better way of disposal (i.e. sell, melt down, etc.).

So what do you guys do with your trash brass?

[r08ert209cali]

take it to the recycler.you can get some serious doe for clean brass then go buy components.

[mattmcg]

Know of any recyclers in the Pleasanton, CA area? Have any idea what sort of amount they are paying?

[NotSoFast]

There is one on Old First Street in Livermore. I don't know what they pay though. Here's the address.

Refund Recycle Center
(925) 606-1435 2680 Old First St, Livermore, CA 94550

[EOD3]

I keep every scrap of brass and/or copper that comes into my hands. You never know when you might want do a little casting with something harder than lead.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I recycle my unuseable brass... I go to Aaron Metals n Oakland (SSF Bay Area) and last time I went(last month) prices dropped a tad.. I got $1.78lb down from $2.15lb 5 months ago.

[bohoki]

sheesh my recycle place only gives 88 cents a pound for cartridge brass

[rayra]

...This includes brass that had damage to the body, dings in the neck, less than SAAMI headspace measurements, and other things that make them unloadable (like not reloading Federals)....

wow, what sort of super-precious shooting do you do that your criteria is that uptight?

You haven't named anything that makes any of that brass non-reloadable, or even unsafe.

/and I'd love to see the genesis of that 'can't reload Federal brass' silliness.

[GuyW]

...save for metalcasting...

[rayra]

"damage to the body, dings in the neck"

and I'd like to see photos of what you are describing with those words.

[mattmcg]

Let me correct my earlier statement. I reload Federals until the primer pockets are loose which normally results in 3-4 reloads in my experience. From there it goes in the scrap bin. The others end up there as well but can normally eek out 7-8 (Winchester) or 10-15 (Lapua). Yes, the Internet has propagated a general fear of reloading Federal brass but in my case, this is from previous experience on how long they last.

Rayra, also to clarify, I handload for benchrest and long-range practical. So yes, my specs are pretty tight. That said, when I see headspace measurements less than SAAMI minimum specs (normally -.003") on any of my brass (precision or otherwise) I proceed with caution for obvious reasons. Also any 'unrepairable' ding in the neck moves the brass from my precision to my plinking stack.....

[mattmcg]

I recycle my unuseable brass... I go to Aaron Metals n Oakland (SSF Bay Area) and last time I went(last month) prices dropped a tad.. I got $1.78lb down from $2.15lb 5 months ago.

Hmmm, looks like a good place....

http://www.aaronmetals.com/

I just called and they are currently paying $1.00/lbs. Seems that prices have dropped quite a bit!

[mattmcg]

There is one on Old First Street in Livermore. I don't know what they pay though. Here's the address.

Refund Recycle Center
(925) 606-1435 2680 Old First St, Livermore, CA 94550

And it looks like the Refund Recycle Center is paying $1.20/lbs.

[jacques]

Hmmm, looks like a good place....

http://www.aaronmetals.com/

I just called and they are currently paying $1.00/lbs. Seems that prices have dropped quite a bit!

Bring it somewhere else then. These recycle people are like used car dealers. They will not necessarily give you a fair price. I called around and had a $1 difference in prices

[xrMike]

What about spent primers, in addition to bad cases? Will they take those also?

Some primers look like they might be brass (Win for example), while others don't (CCI).

[elsolo]

Recycling dealers that do mostly industrial accounts will give better prices than "we buy aluminum cans" places.
$2/lb is ballpark for C260
spent primers have never been a problem at the place I sell my scrap metals

[rayra]

ah. Your comments gave the impression that your were discarding normal dings and wear as 'trash'.


Your 'headspace shorter than SAAMI' can still be ameliorated with fire-forming / simply using said brass in your chosen rifle. Use such loads as spoiling rounds, if you make use of that practice. Doesn't even need to be full charges to remedy the brass.