Sell or throw away inherited brass, primers, powder, etc?

[johan851]

First off, though I created an account yesterday to post this, I've read a number of helpful threads here over the years. Thanks to everyone for the all the informative posts!

My father passed away about three years ago, and he left me all of his reloading equipment. Although I'm sure I'd enjoy the hobby, and there's certainly a sentimental factor, I just don't see having time anytime soon to get into reloading. I have two kids and plenty of hobbies as it is.

Among the gear are several containers of smokeless powder, primers, clean brass in boxes with primers already inserted, and bullets. I won't go into my location or quantities or anything like that, because my intent is not to turn this into an advertisement.

I know that some of the equipment is worth selling - the press, dies, and other things of that nature will probably end up on an auction site. Cast bullets certainly don't go bad either, so I imagine I can find a buyer for those.

What I don't know is whether the brass, primers, and powder is worth anything. This has all been stored fairly dry and sealed in my basement for about three years, but I don't know whether the primers or powder will go bad over time. I live in a moderately humid climate.

I was thinking of selling it as a lot, but is it worth anything? Or, if it's near worthless, can anyone tell me the appropriate way to dispose of it?

 

[troy fairweather]

the primers should be fine, the powder if opened should be checked, the brass depends on its condition and what kind. i am looking for a press and interested in dies. welcome to THR. sorry for your loss. some photos will help to.

 

[johan851]

Thanks Troy. How would I go about checking the powder?

 

[troy fairweather]

Thanks Troy. How would I go about checking the powder?

if opened some times it can smell like vinegar and sometime when you open you will see a yellow/orange color smoke. i believe slamfire has a thread about bad powder. bad powder sometimes will clump up and even brake down to smaller grains. how old is the powder.

 

[bullseye308]

You can sell it on Craigslist or some of the local Facebook groups. You cannot ship powder or primers without a hazmat license.

 

[kmw1954]

go over to Armslist and register there, you will then be able to list it there. One advantage there is a member can search by state so you may have a better chance of selling the powder, primers and brass locally once you determine the powder is still good.

 

[Mule]

The problem with powder is you don't really know what is in the can if the seal is broken. Potentially dangerous. It is almost impossible to pour some out and identify it. Too many look similar. For your peace of mind, it might be best to spread it on the lawn.
Properly sealed and identified, powder can be good for several decades.

Everything else is probably saleable.

Are you sure you don't want a new addiction?

 

[DukeConnor]

Sell the components and keep the gear. Some day when you have more time reloading may be an option. You may regret selling dad's stuff.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I, and likely many others, won't buy or receive opened powder. It is probably good, but too much uncertainty for me.
My brother passed a few years back. I spread his powder in the driveway and burnt it.

 

[rpenmanparker]

If you are intent on selling everything, I would just make it a local, blind, all-or-nothing sale. If the buyer doesn't want the powder, they can have the job of disposing of it in return for getting a great deal. Then you are completely out of it and ready to move on. No muss, no fuss.

 

[CMV]

....
Among the gear are several containers of smokeless powder, primers, clean brass in boxes with primers already inserted, and bullets. I won't go into my location or quantities or anything like that, because my intent is not to turn this into an advertisement.

I know that some of the equipment is worth selling - the press, dies, and other things of that nature will probably end up on an auction site. Cast bullets certainly don't go bad either, so I imagine I can find a buyer for those.
......

I don't think there would be any harm in posting pictures & getting input on what you have, what you should sell/trash, and reasonable asking prices. I wouldn't look at that like you were trying to sell it to us - just researching stuff you have & don't know much about. You might have a couple things that are more valuable than you think - or things you think are valuable nobody else would want. That could help put it all together as a package deal with a fair price tag.

 

[edwardware]

Thanks Troy. How would I go about checking the powder?

If you don't reload, you don't. Advertise, as is, and let an educated buyer look and see. Don't throw anything out.

I've probably burned 5# of various pistol powders I bought used locally, and am always on the lookout for more.

 

[Bandit67]

I don't think it would hurt to state your location either. There may be a member who is nearby that would be interested in the entire lot or at least be able to assess everything and offer some guidance.

 

[Jack B.]

What brand or make of powder do you have?

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Sell the components and keep the gear. Some day when you have more time reloading may be an option. You may regret selling dad's stuff.

This happened to me. Inherited all of Dad's reloading tools, equipment and components.
It was close to twenty years after his passing that I found the time and interest to get into the reloading game..........

 

[Sistema1927]

Take the powder, assuming that it is smokeless, and use it to fertilize your lawn. Put the brass, primers, etc. up for sale.

 

[Z28roc]

I wouldn't sell any of it. I hung onto my dad's equipment / supplies for 10 years before I got into hand loading. I'm so glad I did, because everything works flawlessly. He had a lot of hand written recipes, detailed instructions, spare parts for the Dillon, and a home made tumbler that I still use.
Also, I used the powder, primers, and bullets that were probably close to 20 years old. All of those rounds have been sent down range without any issues that I recall.

 

[Charlie98]

Besides the hard assets (press, dies, etc...) I would just make a general observation on the powder and primers. Like another poster suggested, take a pic of it and post it... most of us can tell if the powder and primers are of recent manufacture, and what you might have. There is also the idea of quantity... are we talking 4 trays of primers, or 4 cases?

I would have no problem selling the powder... assuming it's in serviceable containers and passes the visual and smell test, and as long as the buyer knows the origin of it, same with the primers... assuming they are of recent manufacture and in serviceable packaging.

Personally, I don't like general listings on websites. I had a case of W231, my old MEC 12ga press, and some other stuff... I advertised them here at THR and made a face-to-face sale, which is what I prefer. I just don't like the randomness of something like Armslist or GB, let alone Craigs List or some such.

 

[Reloadron]

Smokeless powders have a long shelf life when properly stored. I have loaded powders I have had for over 20 years without any signs of degradation. Here is a good link which describes the ever popular sniff test. Likewise for primers but you don't sniff test. Like powder, stored in a cool dry environment they work fine after decades. Unloaded brass also has a decades shelf life and bullets simply never deteriorate or change. I would not worry about disposal of anything were I you.

This forum does have a for sale section for things like you have. To avoid any shipping problems I would just sell locally face to face. Decide what you feel is a fair price for you and a buyer and list it. Get a reasonable inventory and some photographs.

Ron

 

[johan851]

Thanks for all the replies.

Sell the components and keep the gear. Some day when you have more time reloading may be an option. You may regret selling dad's stuff.

I appreciate this, and I'll definitely continue to think about it. As a family, we quickly realized that there was a LOT of stuff. My dad was a collector of many things. I have plenty of possessions of his that I plan on keeping that are meaningful, but I want to be careful of being sentimental about everything just because it was his, and then storing it unused for decades. His S&W model 19 and the Remington 721 he refinished aren't going anywhere. The press isn't that big, maybe it's the thing to keep.

If you are intent on selling everything, I would just make it a local, blind, all-or-nothing sale. If the buyer doesn't want the powder, they can have the job of disposing of it in return for getting a great deal. Then you are completely out of it and ready to move on. No muss, no fuss.

This is what basically what I was thinking of doing, but I don't know where I'd advertise it and how I'd price it. If there's no objection to putting up some photos here for appraisal I can certainly do that.

I don't think there would be any harm in posting pictures & getting input on what you have, what you should sell/trash, and reasonable asking prices. I wouldn't look at that like you were trying to sell it to us - just researching stuff you have & don't know much about. You might have a couple things that are more valuable than you think - or things you think are valuable nobody else would want. That could help put it all together as a package deal with a fair price tag.

Thanks. I have a picture of the brass and powder attached, I'll continue to unpack and document this evening.

 

[edwardware]

I have a picture of the brass and powder attached. . .

All that powder is recent, and unless you've stored it in an oven, it'll be fine for decades. Keep it cool and dry, or Armslist it locally.

 

[Jack B.]

I think if you can make sure the powder is ok. All that looks easily sellable.

 

[johan851]

I think if you can make sure the powder is ok. All that looks easily sellable.

Thanks, I'll at least give it a look and a smell test.

All that powder is recent, and unless you've stored it in an oven, it'll be fine for decades. Keep it cool and dry, or Armslist it locally.

Stored in his basement, then stored in mine, so the temperature's been stable and probably around 60 degrees.

 

[rdnktrkr]

Those powder containers are not that old, I still use powder that is in older containers than those. The loaded rounds if all loaded by your father should be fine. Just enjoy them and remember your father everytime you fire one.

 

[edwardware]

If there's no objection to putting up some photos here for appraisal I can certainly do that.

From a buyer's perspective, I buy good-condition powder and primers locally for 50-60% of retail (Brownells or Powder Valley). You might get 75%, maybe.

For brass, it's caliber dependent, but for common calibers you can start at $0.15/ea, take all, in the boxes, and accept offers down to $0.10/ea.