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View Full Version : New term: Brass-hole


drkphibr
12-30-2012, 8:52 PM
So as a reloader, we all have an affinity for picking up brass.

Most ranges have a policy that you can only pick up your own brass (some more stringent than others) and once the brass is in the range's buckets, it's off limits as the range sells it as another source of revenue.

When I'm shooting at the range, it's usually pretty obvious who to my right or left is a reloader. For those who don't reload and it's a caliber I load, I usually ask if they want their brass. More times than not, they say no and have no issues when I ask if they mind if I sweep up what lands near/around my bench.

Only once did I have an over zealous RSO ask me if I was sweeping up my own brass. When I informed him the lane next to me said it was fine to sweep their brass he went his way (nothing in a bucket was touched).

So today we see this guy. As one of us were shooting, he walks by our lane and starts picking up a few pieces of brass. Wasn't ours, so I didn't pay too much attention (other than we'd seen him before...doing the same thing). Later on, he starts going from bucket to bucket. My group looked at each other and said "WTF?". When he first walked by, he bent down and grabbed a few loose pieces of brass on the concrete. No biggie. This, however, was what I'd consider a blatant no-no by going from bench bucket to bucket and pulling out what looked like large caliber rifle brass (see the full zip lock). Again, not loose brass on the ground, but only brass in the 5 gallon buckets.

So, my group tried to come up with a label describing his actions as we've all seen different levels of brass "fans". Seeing a group of shooters sweep all their brass up and dump it in the range bucket is like fingernails across a chalkboard to anyone who reloads. Such a waste (from my personal point of view), but a benefit to the range in the bigger picture. Reloader "greed" to some degree. So, after bouncing around a few labels, we came up with "brass-hole" for what this guy was doing from bench to bench. He spent so much time at our bucket I couldn't believe an RSO didn't see him and I took out my phone and snapped a few pics. Then we took a few more of him working his way down the lane, bucket to bucket filling his mongo ziplock bag.

Looks like he had his ninja brass collecting outfit on as well...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=188644&d=1356933056

jvpark
12-30-2012, 9:15 PM
Man... Give the guy credit for being bold. I would of said something to him... Rules are rules.
Maybe he thought it was an Easter egg hunt?

jvpark
12-30-2012, 9:15 PM
Do like your name you gave him...

drkphibr
12-30-2012, 9:28 PM
Man... Give the guy credit for being bold. I would of said something to him... Rules are rules.
Maybe he thought it was an Easter egg hunt?

He was definitely cherry picking some large caliber brass. Bold to say the least. In hindsight, I should have said something. I was just so caught off guard by how bold his actions were. Next time I will interrupt his bucket brass hunt. I was sure an RSO would say something to him. Made for an interesting twist to an otherwise perfect day at the rage, especially weather wise.

sspen003
12-30-2012, 9:29 PM
You should have called him on it and embarrassed the hell out of the guy

checkenbach
12-30-2012, 10:28 PM
Brass whore.

goodlookin1
12-30-2012, 10:48 PM
Waiting for said Brass Hole to show up in this thread and own it :D

Munk
12-31-2012, 12:43 AM
You should have called him on it and embarrassed the hell out of the guy

Most of those guys don't get embarrassed. They think stealing is fine because they're stealing from a company and not a person.

SWalt
12-31-2012, 12:53 AM
Such a brass hole! Such a brass whore! hmmmmmmmmm................think brass hole rolls off the tongue better

kylemurdoc
12-31-2012, 1:11 AM
Reloading is definitely an addiction, I feel for the guy. If I was around I might of gave him a hand full of my older cases.

johnny1290
12-31-2012, 4:06 AM
Hah that guy has , uh, nerves!

I saw a guy at the indoor range take a broom to sweep up brass from infront of the line before. I thought he was pretty bold, although he was just getting 'his' brass, I figure once it goes past the bench it belongs to the house.

You can ask the range guys to buy the brass off them. I have never bothered with it, although I wouldn't mind rifle brass..hmm...

Hot Holster
12-31-2012, 4:59 AM
One of two things; either the RSO's weren't monitoring the firing line or they were and didn't care that this guy was poaching brass.

drkphibr
12-31-2012, 7:24 AM
One of two things; either the RSO's weren't monitoring the firing line or they were and didn't care that this guy was poaching brass.

Range was packed and the RSOs had their hands full just dealing with the folks trying to follow the rules. With cameras all over the place and the fact this guy is a "regular" (we've seen him on multiple occasions) to some degree, he knows the rules. Such a shame, just like with the laws, there is always someone who feels they don't apply to them or will just ignore them until caught or banned. Simply not worth it in the big picture. He's feeding his "brass addiction" and I have no doubt it will catch up with him at some point. Karma.

Horton Fenty
12-31-2012, 7:33 AM
You should have called him on it and embarrassed the hell out of the guy

I seriously doubt he would care.

waxer
12-31-2012, 7:36 AM
Range was packed and the RSOs had their hands full just dealing with the folks trying to follow the rules. With cameras all over the place and the fact this guy is a "regular" (we've seen him on multiple occasions) to some degree, he knows the rules. Such a shame, just like with the laws, there is always someone who feels they don't apply to them or will just ignore them until caught or banned. Simply not worth it in the big picture. He's feeding his "brass addiction" and I have no doubt it will catch up with him at some point. Karma.

If he's a regular and has done this before, is there a possibility that he might be a friend of the owner and is allowed to do that at this range? Sometimes knowing someone or being friends with the right people can be a nice advantage. Just a thought....

Rob454
12-31-2012, 7:39 AM
I save my brass but only to recycle it. I would of brought it to a ROs attention and left it at that.

hoisumguo
12-31-2012, 7:49 AM
I feel for those as myself that are addicted to brass and reloading, but my guess is that the brass hole isn't a Reloader and just selling online....

Of course if he constantly mumbles to himself as he picks up "shiny, must make shiny my preeecious... Shiny brass, clean, yeeesss..." then he's just a Reloader.... ;)

-Hoi

stilly
12-31-2012, 11:21 AM
I think that the term brass-hole could very well be a street slang term meaning a-hole brass rat that only seeks to grab brass to then turn around and sell it back to folks...

I myself am a brass rat at the indoor range and a brass hound at the outdoor range. The only difference in my opinion is the rat is for a smaller range and the hound has the room to run all over. I am a hound at bee canyon and steele PeakE and a rat at my local indoor range. ;)

I think that is a good term for that guy. If you are not shooting then GTFO. At least I will shoot at my local range and then turn around and suck up MOST of my brass. Unless it is 44 mag, then I am straight anal about getting it all or I get mad (internally...).

I never fight over brass though since I have a hundred pounds + of it, I still like to grab as much as I can though just cause I like to pick up little shiny things. (thus the RAT in me). If someone next to me at the indoor range is shootiong I will start asking them if they want their brass or not rather then be a recluse with a loud gun in the end stall...


Oddly though I DO have a problem with someone that walks over to my area and starts sucking up all of the brass. Currently my only policy is to stare at them and give them a look of disaproval if eye contact is made. It has only almost happened once. One guy was sucking up every piece of brass that hit the floor before it bounced the second time. I referred to him as the hoover vacuum...

keenkeen
12-31-2012, 11:26 AM
Nice fuzzy surreptitious cell phone pic...

Good thing he didn't catch you taking it.

:rolleyes:

stilly
12-31-2012, 11:32 AM
Since there was no expectation of privacy I think it would have been okay.

Might have done some good if he did see him taking his pic, maybe he would have left or toned down his actions a bit...

drkphibr
12-31-2012, 11:41 AM
Nice fuzzy surreptitious cell phone pic...

Good thing he didn't catch you taking it.

:rolleyes:

Oh, he saw me and I have pics that include his face. If he has no problem doing something he's not supposed to be doing, then I have no issues photographing him in the act. I specifically chose a pic that did not show his face.

drkphibr
12-31-2012, 11:49 AM
Since there was no expectation of privacy I think it would have been okay.

Might have done some good if he did see him taking his pic, maybe he would have left or toned down his actions a bit...

Doubtful or shameless...or both. Here he is after working his way down a few more benches. Bag is more full and his hand is in the "cookie jar". For individual privacy, I did edit out his face.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=188801&d=1356986915

elhefe50ss
12-31-2012, 11:51 AM
i love the shiny aswell BUT i always ASK permisson before picking ..... and like the guy said ill be damned if im gonna leave my 44 mag for anyone lolololol

stphnman20
12-31-2012, 11:52 AM
Times are tough. Gotta do what you gotta do! lol Why didn't you inform the RSO?

keenkeen
12-31-2012, 11:55 AM
Oh, he saw me and I have pics that include his face. If he has no problem doing something he's not supposed to be doing, then I have no issues photographing him in the act. I specifically chose a pic that did not show his face.

Well, if he saw you taking his pic I guess he had no problem with it.

Probably just thought you where sweet on him.

Free brass and a secret admirer...

Win for him.

:clap::clap::clap:

stand125
12-31-2012, 1:37 PM
The guy could very well have had permission to grab the brass. When I used to shoot out in Lincoln a couple of the RSO would let me empty the buckets and a few told me no. Most of those RSO take the brass themselves so very little actually make it to the recyclers to make the range money.

classwarfare
12-31-2012, 10:51 PM
I was talking to one of the ROs at Metcalf one day and he told me some guy showed up one day told them he wasn't going to shoot and then proceeded to empty all the brass buckets into his bucket. Now that takes some brass!

But as one who hates to leave a perfectly good case lying there I prefer the term "brass recycler"!

the86d
01-01-2013, 2:35 AM
I was talking to one of the ROs at Metcalf one day and he told me some guy showed up one day told them he wasn't going to shoot and then proceeded to empty all the brass buckets into his bucket. Now that takes some brass!

But as one who hates to leave a perfectly good case lying there I prefer the term "brass recycler"!

Now you just need to speak at a local school about environmental concerns, and how you are doing your part... I'd be honored to state some "truth to the kids" about firearms, and ammo... The liberal district wouldn't allow it, I assume. The loony Urban firearm fear that is spreading, is ignorance that can be corrected in the suburbs...

Wrangler John
01-01-2013, 4:58 AM
Having been a range officer at a public range I called them brass snarfs. Snarf = to grab something in greed, esp. without permission.

Our range collected the brass and did indeed recycle it along with the bullet lead. A 55 gallon drum packed full of brass weighed 550 +/- lbs, so at $1.75 per lb, they ran $962.50 per drum. We sold four drums of brass at a time = $3,850. Which is why the brass drums were kept locked in a shed. We also allowed a local commercial reloader to pick .45 ACP brass which he would return to us as reloads at a wholesale discount that we could sell at retail. Every possible revenue stream offset budget expenses.

I really dislike snarfs and scroungers.

bruceflinch
01-01-2013, 8:37 AM
Brass-hole does roll off the tongue better than Brass-whore. & sounds a bit nicer...

bruceflinch
01-01-2013, 8:37 AM
Brass-hole does roll off the tongue better than Brass-whore. & sounds a bit nicer...

JNunez23
01-01-2013, 12:01 PM
That's not cool man..

classwarfare
01-01-2013, 12:08 PM
Having been a range officer at a public range I called them brass snarfs. Snarf = to grab something in greed, esp. without permission.

Our range collected the brass and did indeed recycle it along with the bullet lead. A 55 gallon drum packed full of brass weighed 550 +/- lbs, so at $1.75 per lb, they ran $962.50 per drum. We sold four drums of brass at a time = $3,850. Which is why the brass drums were kept locked in a shed. We also allowed a local commercial reloader to pick .45 ACP brass which he would return to us as reloads at a wholesale discount that we could sell at retail. Every possible revenue stream offset budget expenses.

I really dislike snarfs and scroungers.

So here is my problem with that. You sell the brass as scrap, right? So it is taken out of circulation. Why not just let those of us who are, how shall we say, very diligent brass recyclers pay for the scrap value of other people's brass when we leave the range? We get brass, you get your money and it's a win/win.

johnny1290
01-01-2013, 1:16 PM
If anybody sees me at the range and I pick up your brass, just tap me on the shoulder and let me know because it was by accident. I *never* pick up other folks brass on purpose. It's their property unless they give it to me (thank you to the folks who have!), or maybe if they leave it behind but I figure it belongs to the range at that point, although secretly I've been conflicted/pleased when I've snagged some by accident hahahhaha It's not like I ever leave with as much brass as I came with, unless it's a really good day. I *love* free brass!

I think at Angeles you can purchase bagged up brass from the RO, although I never have. I've seen em bag it up and seemingly take it home. Just not worth the bother for 9mm.

keenkeen
01-01-2013, 1:19 PM
Brass-hole does roll off the tongue better

There is a fine visual for you...:D

SWalt
01-01-2013, 1:33 PM
There is a fine visual for you...:D

Get yer mind out of the gutter! yeeeeeesssssssshhhhhhhh!

taloft
01-01-2013, 1:35 PM
The guys at the range call them bottom feeders.:D

Pretty bold if he is doing this without the permission of the range staff.

Most ranges have rules against taking photographs of other people without their permission. I'd be careful, you might find that you are the one getting asked to leave.




.

Dokbrick
01-01-2013, 3:49 PM
Man, there is several fat old men who dump out each container of brass into their 5 gallon buckets at the Metcalf range. Greedy bastards is more like it. All I want are a few .223 brass casings every once and a while.

sixoclockhold
01-01-2013, 5:20 PM
My RSO tells me when someone is shooting or shot my caliber and tells me to go get it.

Try giving the RSO a soda and chips once in a while.

classwarfare
01-01-2013, 5:21 PM
Man, there is several fat old men who dump out each container of brass into their 5 gallon buckets at the Metcalf range. Greedy bastards is more like it. All I want are a few .223 brass casings every once and a while.

Actually one of the ROs at Metcalf came over to me one day and asked if I loaded .223. When I said yes he told me there was a lot of good .223 brass in one of the brass buckets and I should get it.

How much .223 do you want? I might be able to get some.

lawdawg0417
01-01-2013, 5:58 PM
Im just starting into reloading and I can say i have been tempted to grab brass laying around but in the end I follow the rules. Must agree brass hole is a great name.

drkphibr
01-01-2013, 8:34 PM
Most ranges have rules against taking photographs of other people without their permission. I'd be careful, you might find that you are the one getting asked to leave.

.

Hmmmm...

Signs all over the place about brass "rules".
Not a single sign prohibiting photography at the range and a public range at that
Dude was snagging the brass from our lane bucket with an active shooter.

Ummm, who's in the wrong here?

ElvenSoul
01-01-2013, 8:45 PM
This is why hammers where invented for slime, sneaky gollum fingers reaching into buckets.

keenkeen
01-01-2013, 9:23 PM
My RSO tells me when someone is shooting or shot my caliber and tells me to go get it.

Try giving the RSO a soda and chips once in a while.

Teacher's pet.

:D

Wrangler John
01-02-2013, 4:42 AM
So here is my problem with that. You sell the brass as scrap, right? So it is taken out of circulation. Why not just let those of us who are, how shall we say, very diligent brass recyclers pay for the scrap value of other people's brass when we leave the range? We get brass, you get your money and it's a win/win.

Liability.

There is no way to know the history or condition of the brass, especially rifle brass. If the brass is given or sold to an individual for reloading and a case fails causing injury, whether or not the cause was due to the reloader, a liability claim can ensue. Because public agencies have deeper pockets than individuals, we can expect a lawsuit. Many public agencies are self-insured, with stop loss policies from commercial insurance underwriters to cover major losses, so that risk management departments establish policy to reduce exposure. The range official that told you about the .223 Remington brass and suggested you take it, was exposing the range to liability. Many local governments have legal departments staffed with attorneys to litigate such claims, however there is a cost to each department that generates a liability claim in that the counsel's time is billed to the agency, so even if the case is bogus or settled out of court, there can be considerable expense involved.

If the policy is to allow the shooter to collect only their own brass, and forbid collecting any range brass, with a rule to that effect clearly posted where enforcement can result in ejection from the range, then the collector was violating range policy. In effect he or she was stealing from the range and agency, lessening the liability on the part of the range.

In the case of selling or trading pistol brass to a commercial reloading company, that sale is done under a vendor agreement, essentially a contract, that both parties agree to and that stipulates that the range makes no guarantee to the suitability of the brass to be reloaded, stipulating that the vendor has the responsibility to clean and inspect all brass to ensure it is within industry (SAMMI) standards and free of defects. The reloader in this instance is accepting the liability for the finished product, and must provide the agency or range a Certificate of Insurance for a one million dollar liability policy that names the agency/range as additionally insured. Given that reloads are for target use only, and use cast lead wad cutter bullets at low velocities, there is a lessened probability of an injury ensuing.

The same conditions are stipulated in the agreement between a metal scrapper and the agency, including the Certificate of Insurance. In this instance the agency/range is selling the brass as scrap with the understanding that it will not be used for reloading.

I never pick up brass from the range for any use, it is totally unknown as to how many firings it has undergone. When I shoot at any range I am very careful to retrieve my fired brass, so no one else will be harmed by reloading a case near exhaustion.

There is another reason for this in that my fired cases headstamp often do not reflect the actual cartridge. For example, if I form .257 Roberts or 6mm Remington from 7mm Mauser, or 7mm IHMSA from .308 Winchester, or 7mm IHMSA-Rimmed from .30-30 Winchester, or 6.5-284 from .284 Winchester brass the headstamp will not match. Joe Schmo comes along and tries to reload it and at the minimum may break a decapping stem.

Reloading is a potentially hazardous activity, which is why firearms manufacturers usually include a disclaimer in their manuals to the effect that use of reloaded ammunition is not recommended and the use of reloaded ammunition voids any warranty.

Nothing in this life is ever simple.

Socalman
01-02-2013, 6:19 PM
Why do I think Wrangler John has either a law or insurance background?

five.five-six
01-02-2013, 6:25 PM
I have done this and offered the range owner $3/lb for the brass I took. .300WM is about $1/caseing. No harm no foul.

Dark Mod
01-02-2013, 6:38 PM
If the range didnt have a problem with it i dont see why anyone else should care. He could work there, be the range owners son, be the range owner etc... Or he could have a deal with the range to go take his pickings and pay for what he takes.

If the Range officer didnt have enough of a problem with it to go stop him then i say let him be.

Dark Mod
01-02-2013, 6:38 PM
If the range didnt have a problem with it i dont see why anyone else should care. He could work there, be the range owners son, be the range owner etc... Or he could have a deal with the range to go take his pickings and pay for what he takes.

If the Range officer didnt have enough of a problem with it to go stop him then i say let him be.

mindwreck
01-02-2013, 10:49 PM
yeah seriously. you guys aren't shooting enough if you have time to watch and talk about someone picking up brass.

leave the man be.

slopoke
01-03-2013, 2:42 AM
From the pics, it appears that it happened at the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club. Range policy is you can collect your own brass.

drkphibr
01-04-2013, 7:01 AM
yeah seriously. you guys aren't shooting enough if you have time to watch and talk about someone picking up brass.

leave the man be.

Hard not to take notice of this when we have multiple shooters with us in a single lane (rest of us waiting our turns) and seeing this guy hop from lane/bucket to lane/bucket and doing so right in front of us in our lane as well with an active shooter.


From the pics, it appears that it happened at the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club. Range policy is you can collect your own brass.

Yes, range policy is one can collect their own brass...he seems to have an interpretation issue with the words "your own" or can't distinguish his brass on the ground from his brass that may have landed in the bucket...in every lane.

He apparently played too much Zero Wing when younger and now applies the phrase "All your base are belong to us" with a slight modification..."All your brass are belong to me".