Scrap Yard $$ for Range Pick-Ups

[DonB]

My recycler pays more per pound for primers only

Wow! Where I go they consider primers dirty brass and give quite a bit less. But I don’t have to deprime the brass.

 

[Aero]

I have been visiting this scrap yard every couple of months for 15 years or more. Our club membership has exploded in recent years. The majority are proven mag dumping blasters that don't reload ammo. The empty brass is everywhere. Few bother to pick it up. EZ money for those that do. I do keep anything I can use or know shooters that can use it.

There’s a boatload more coming in soon!

 

[dgeesaman]

You are forbidden to pick up range brass at Manatee, where I often shoot. They have cans for it because that brass is a good source of range income.

My club pulls about $3k / month on range brass recycling.

 

[mtnman31]

When I go to the range, my personal rule is that I leave with more brass than I came with. I wouldn't be a member of a club or use a range that doesn't allow you to pick up brass, especially your own. I spend a great deal of money and prep time on my brass and to be told "when it hits the dirt, it belongs to the range" is laughable. I have been to indoor ranges with the no picking up brass policy but never personally experienced it at an outdoor facility.

My kids went with me to the recycler last time I went and were impressed with much money a small bucket of brass was worth. They will gladly help with brass when we make range trips. I use, sell, or trade some of the brass and recycle what's left over or not useable. That said, I'm not a brass goblin (don't get me started on that rant), lurking around snatching up other people's brass... I pick up what's around my area when I'm done shooting - leave it cleaner than what you found it.

 

[J_Hensley]

I need to find a local club to join so I can scavenge brass.

 

[hogpatrol]

Be a good place to get brass.

 

[Texas Solo]

Made the 44 mile one way trip about 1pm. Delivered 112 lbs. mostly .223 range pickup. Got $2.40 lb. fifteen cents up from my last visit. Hit a great BBQ place with some of the scrap cash. Beat most of the early rush hour traffic home. Placed an order with Midway, cracked open a beer and turned on ABC evening news. My wife and I had a good afternoon.

Damn. Called my local scrapyard to ask if they accept ammo brass.
They do, but only at 25 cents per pound. Not worth the effort.

 

[bobm]

Damn. Called my local scrapyard to ask if they accept ammo brass.
They do, but only at 25 cents per pound. Not worth the effort.

Shop around, they are screwing you.

 

[hogpatrol]

For the best price, remove all casings made of steel or aluminum; live rounds, sticks, stones, leaves, dirt, range trash, etc. Never had a price change with nickel plated brass or primers removed either.

Steps in the Brass Casing Recycling Process

1. Collection & Sorting: Casings are collected, and any non-brass items (like steel or aluminum) are separated using magnets, as brass is non-magnetic.
2. Decontamination (Popping): Casings are heated in a high-temperature kiln to detonate any live rounds and remove primers.
3. Cleaning: Casings are thoroughly rinsed or tumbled to remove gunpowder residue, lead, dirt, and tarnish.
4. Inspection: Cleaned casings are inspected, often on shaker tables, to remove any remaining contaminants or unpopped rounds.
5. Deformation: A hammer mill or shredder crushes the casings into smaller, more manageable pieces, increasing surface area for melting.
6. Transportation: The crushed brass is loaded onto machines for transport to a brass mill.
7. Melting & Refining: At the mill, brass is melted, mixed with other elements to meet specific alloys, and purified (often by skimming contaminants like iron).
8. Forming: The molten brass is poured into molds to form ingots or rods, ready to be made into new products.

How You Can Prepare Brass for Recycling

• Separate: Keep brass separate from steel, aluminum, or other metals.
• Clean: Remove as much dirt, grime, and non-metallic parts as possible.
• Pop: Ensure casings are "popped" (primers removed) if possible, or confirm the recycler handles this step.
• Sort by Type: If you have large quantities, sorting by type (e.g., cartridge brass) can increase value.

 

[kberch]

Do primers need to be out? Can loose spent primers be mixed in?

Here in Wisconsin I had a scrap dealer tell me to leave the spent primers in place. He stated they are non-magnetic. It just adds to the overall weight.

 

[hogpatrol]

Damn. Called my local scrapyard to ask if they accept ammo brass.
They do, but only at 25 cents per pound. Not worth the effort.

Within ten miles, brass scrap price varied $1.75 to $2.60 and some yards pay the cheaper brass price for brass shells. Place in New Jersey is paying $2.85 for clean shells. For me with gas and bridge tolls, not worth the travel for a couple buckets.

Brass Shells Clean – Sgt. Scrap

sgt-scrap.com