Starting a cartridge collection.

[kris bassett]

What's the best way to start a collection? Trade some of my own dummy rounds? Offer a few bucks? I'm just not sure the best way to approach it? I don't have a ton of calibers to trade but I do have some. I'm looking for everything from average to wildcat.

Also what do you guys think the best way to display them is? A board? Glass case? Something else?

Pictures would be great!

Thanks
Kris

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

talk to member Kriebles here.

 

[Johnny_V]

I often find many oddball calibers at gun shows. Many times you have to buy a full box, but then you have Great fodder for trade. Also, ask fellow forum members when you see an oddball, If they would like to donate to your collection.

 

[rkittine]

I have one 6.5x47L that I can send you.

 

[centershot]

I was lucky when I started my collection. As a young boy, I would go to a certain gun store and they would sell single cartridges. My grandfather made a display case out of oak with a glass front. It wound up with an upper row and a lower one. In the '60s, they started coming out with so many new calibers that I just started putting them in a 20mm ammo can. I started substituting when new calibers came out but quit doing it. Removed the .219 zipper and .220 swift and then stopped. I foolishly tried to sell it at a garage sale but no one would buy it. It is still mounted in my garage today.

 

[rkittine]

Back in the day when I had my gun shop, I had a number of Bullet Boards, that were available from companies like Sierra and Hornady. Wish I still had them.

Were are you located?

 

[hogpatrol]

Go to Saubier.com. At the bottom of the page, check out the forum, or click on this link: Cartridge Collecting, Small caliber cases exchange.

Most collectors I know collect just the empty cases. Easier shipping that way.

 

[cdiver]

I would advise concentrating on one type of ammo, if it is just a ammo collection then there are thousands of different rounds. Having said that I started my collection as a ammo collection wanting to show the evaluation of bullets/guns and there are more types than I will ever get.
Also it can get expensive. The most I have paid so far is $200 but there is one round I am looking for that I have found that has a price of $325 at the moment that is sticking in my throat. There are cartridge collecting shows and the crem de la crem of these shows is http://cartridgecollectors.org/events/St-Louis-International-Cartridge-Show

I made my own display case (except for glass) ant that cost me about $200 see attached

 

[thekriebles]

I started many years ago as a kid picking up spent brass at the range. It just grew from there over time. All responses above are great advice. You can also attend your local guns shows, ranges, small gun shops, other internet firearms forums, etc.

True collectors collect "live" ammunition for their collections, and it's primarily what you'll see at the International Ammunition Assoc. trade shows mentioned above in the link. I simply collect empty cases... it's easier, less expensive, mailing efforts are not regulated/hasseled, it's just safer, etc.

Collecting the cases has also assisted me in making decisions as to which next building project I've wanted to pursue or eliminate. It's amazing at the number of wildcats that have been developed over the years. I believe PTG has over 35,000 reamer prints, and clearly, that's not nearly everything out there.

I've been very fortunate with my collecting. I've met many great fellow shooters in person and through communication efforts from all around the world. Send me your mailing info in a pm, and I'll pay it forward to you with a box of some duplicates I have if you're serious about getting started.

 

[hogpatrol]

If you can hook up with them personally or their cartridge collecting groups, the PHs in Africa are rabid cartridge collectors. I've seen some pretty large collections there and I've even found some relics out in the bush.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Would you like a Herter's insert for a 8mm Mauser to shot 32 cal. pistol Ammo ????
Not Free but a deal ?

Don shilorock2@msn.com

 

[cdiver]

This one took me a while to ID and it is a modern one.

 

[pirate ammo]

I have one display case in my shop I keep old shells in,some are gave,because someone has passed,kin folk don"t know what to do with them,old stuff,pin fire to 25mm cannon,got
them from a marine friend.

 

[swd]

I started many years ago as a kid picking up spent brass at the range. It just grew from there over time. All responses above are great advice. You can also attend your local guns shows, ranges, small gun shops, other internet firearms forums, etc.

True collectors collect "live" ammunition for their collections, and it's primarily what you'll see at the International Ammunition Assoc. trade shows mentioned above in the link. I simply collect empty cases... it's easier, less expensive, mailing efforts are not regulated/hasseled, it's just safer, etc.

Collecting the cases has also assisted me in making decisions as to which next building project I've wanted to pursue or eliminate. It's amazing at the number of wildcats that have been developed over the years. I believe PTG has over 35,000 reamer prints, and clearly, that's not nearly everything out there.

I've been very fortunate with my collecting. I've met many great fellow shooters in person and through communication efforts from all around the world. Send me your mailing info in a pm, and I'll pay it forward to you with a box of some duplicates I have if you're serious about getting started.

This is the man to talk to!

 

[cdiver]

I have one display case in my shop I keep old shells in,some are gave,because someone has passed,kin folk don"t know what to do with them,old stuff,pin fire to 25mm cannon,got
them from a marine friend.

List and sell if you do not want to keep them. If you sell to a collector at least you know they will be appreciated and displayed for people to see.
Even non collectors and non shooters enjoy looking at my collection and ask questions especially on the 1800s ammunition

 

[pirate ammo]

List and sell if you do not want to keep them. If you sell to a collector at least you know they will be appreciated and displayed for people to see.
Even non collectors and non shooters enjoy looking at my collection and ask questions especially on the 1800s ammunition

a bunch of people look,22lr next to 25mm BIG difference,,going to keep,we're talking live rounds,even the 25

 

[cdiver]

a bunch of people look,22lr next to 25mm BIG difference,,going to keep,we're talking live rounds,even the 25

My big difference is a 2mm blank and a 40mm

 

[pirate ammo]

My big difference is a 2mm blank and a 40mm

got a charge case for a 5 inch 54 , USS Knox DE 1052

 

[earthquake]

I recently inherited a very large collection of rare ammunition from my wife's late grandfather. No idea what to do with it. He shot at Camp Perry in the 50's & 60's and a lot of it is pretty old, but we'll kept.

A lot of calibers I don't recognize as well as many rare shotgun shells and calibers. Original boxes etc. Lots of antique reloading equipment too. I'll have to try and post photos sometime if I can figure out how.

 

[cdiver]

I recently inherited a very large collection of rare ammunition from my wife's late grandfather. No idea what to do with it. He shot at Camp Perry in the 50's & 60's and a lot of it is pretty old, but we'll kept.

A lot of calibers I don't recognize as well as many rare shotgun shells and calibers. Original boxes etc. Lots of antique reloading equipment too. I'll have to try and post photos sometime if I can figure out how.

To help id the rounds do a google search under head stamp then the head stamp markings google is quiet good at finding them.