Military Cartridge Brass Destruction 2010 - Round 2

progunleaders.org ^ | 25 March, 2010 | Gary Marbut

[stevio]

IMHO. Gold, lead, and chickens.

[Joe Brower]

A metal chicken?

[VR-21]

It’s depressing, how much this country has changed. I used to shoot in DCM (Director of Civilian Marksmanship...now the CMP) matches up to the late 80’s. These took place at our local rifle range, and match shooters were ISSUED M2 Ball ammo in bandoleers of en bloc clips. We were permitted to keep the brass, clips and bandoleers Many shot their own loads at the match and kept the M2 they gave us for practice. Patricia Schroeder (D Colorado) was at the vanguard of putting an end to that, saying that the government shouldn’t be providing ammunition to civilians. Funny, back then I sometimes thought that the country couldn’t get any more screwed-up.

[panaxanax]

>Brass, copper, lead.
The precious metals of the future.<

Evidently so. I was at Gander Mtn. earlier this week picking up some Hornady “Critical Defense” ammo for my wife. Saw a package of 100 empty brass 9 mm. at $39.00!

I’m rich!!

[Blood of Tyrants]

I am a proponent of parkerized steel myself.

[stevio]

That sure is a purty chicken, but I’m talking the eatin’ and layin’ kind.

[budwiesest]

What would you put as the cost of setting up to reload say, a couple of calibers to start? 3-4 grand?

I used to love shooting my potato gun, half the fun was 'loading' it correctly to get the greatest distance, and laugh at the novice whose 'load' would travel about twenty feet.

California made it a felony to own one about the same time my stepson broke it. Launching a potato 60-80 yards was fun. California is not fun.

[budwiesest]

I’ve seen that steel chicken at the corner of Madison Ave and Hazel Ave in Fair Oaks, Ca.

[Favor Center]

“What would you put as the cost of setting up to reload say, a couple of calibers to start? 3-4 grand?”

Divide by 10... and that’s if you want quality tools and don’t care about speed so much. Even if you want “fast” (sub-commercial like a Dillon) stuff, it’s not that expensive.

You can get setup to reload for about $200 or so. Die sets for a caliber are usually $30 to $40 after that.

[budwiesest]

Thanks, I don't know why I thought it'd be much higher. I've read some articles in G&A on reloading but never priced stuff. After testing loads and charting them, there was always a disclaimer warning readers that you should follow guidelines on each load- that their tests weren't standard or somesuch.

One article on high-powered rounds I'll never forget was about elephant gun loads being less expansive which gave the shooter a better chance to eject the empties (they'd just fall out) and cram a couple more in quickly, just in case. I think these were English doubles that were old style (and expensive).

[IMR 4350]

Two or three different cals, you can get a basic setup for $500-$700 bucks easy. Cheaper if you go with used. You can add what you want, not need, as you go along. For example, your basic settup will have the balance scale you need to weigh your powder. Latter you may want to get an electronic scale. You don't need it to weigh your powder, a balance scale will do that, you just may want it.

If you're just starting, I'd advise you to go with a single stage O-type press or a torrent press if you want to splurge a little. They're slower than a progressive but you'll learn how to do it step by step and you can experiment with different loads a lot easier than with a progressive press.

With your dies, it's best if you start with new unless you know what your looking at. You can ruin a lot of brass with scratched dies. Most dies sets are around $50 bucks last time I looked. For straight walled cases, I'd go with the carbide or equivalent dies. I prefer RCBS dies, but that's just me.

You can go on-line to the different powder mfg.’s and get reloading info for cal you want to load.

Hope you join the hand loaders family. Great fun.

[Joe Brower]

I just received an email today with more information on this:

Apparently ATK sent out some incorrect info and today (March 26, 2010) offered a press release.

ATK Response to Inquiries Regarding Once-Fired Brass Cases

This was in response to MSSA's questioning whether ATK was involved in an end-run around the rescinding order by the DOD to stop destroying once fired brass at US military bases. - AmmoLand.com

MINNEAPOLIS, MN --(AmmoLand.com)- ATK is a strong supporter of our armed forces, the shooting sports industry, second amendment rights and all of our customers who choose to reload ammunition.

In fact, ATK is a leader in the reloading market. The dated brochure and presentation have caused confusion in the marketplace and do not reflect the views of our company and will be immediately withdrawn.

As a service to our military customers, we routinely handle demil operations for various munitions and respond to requests from military installations for reclamation and recycling of military items.

Each contract is awarded through the military installation's procurement process. The installations received fair value for the brass.

ATK fully supports the provision passed by Congress last year to ensure that demilitarized spent brass casings remain available for civilian use.

Amanda Covington
ATK Armament Systems

[budwiesest]

Thanks, very informative post. Boy, was I off on cost.

[IMR 4350]

Your welcome.

[wku man]

"They want to make sure that no citizen is able to defend themselves against a government agent."

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding...we have a winner!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!