The Brass Exchange (bonus brass!)

[mmcb987]

I've literally just started reloading (yesterday), but I've been researching for months. So take whatever I say with a pound of salt.

I've was researching brass prices and found thebrassexchange.com thanks to ArchAngelCD on this forum. I finally "bit the bullet" and ordered my components. This included 2000 9mm brass from the brass exchange. I've looked around the forum and it seems like others are wondering about the quality so I put this together.

9mm brass @ $13.00/500 x 4
tax $3.64
shipping $10.95

Total $66.59

I ordered on the 19th, and received on the 24th via priority mail. Confirmation e-mail said I would receive a shipping confirmation. Never did, but package came nonetheless.

The brass itself was pretty filthy, but no dirt, grass, or other foreign material so it seems like it's all indoor range pickup. Very mixed headstamps. A lot of WIN, F.C., and S&B
Counted while depriming/sizing and here are the results for usable 9mm brass...

1st bag: 658
2nd bag: 613
3rd bag: 705
4th bag: 474

total usable 9mm brass=2450
total cost per = 2.7¢

Now I'm not sure if throwing in extra is the norm to compensate for mistakes, but since this is my first brass purchase I sure was pleased at an extra 450 brass.

There was also a good amount of +p or +p+ headstamped brass, but from what I hear the only difference is the headstamp LMK if this is untrue

This is the "other" brass that came in the bags
6 - unusable 9mm (cracked, bent)
2 - 22LR
1 - 40 S&W
8 - 32 (not sure what type)
27 - 9mm Makarov
47 - 380 ACP

Looks like I'm gonna need to buy a 380 now

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied. I got what I paid for an more. There may be a few shells in the "usable" that I haven't inspected thoroughly, but I was trying to be observant.

This might help some, or this might help no one.

out of the box


First 500 + extras in first bag, showing some damage to box


After 2 hrs tumble/polish

 

[mcofboise]

Load it!
Crap, I got 500+ rounds of .40 S&W desert pickup brass I'd send to somebody for the price of shipping. I can't stand the thought of taking it to the recycler if someone can actually use it...

 

[1SOW]

Sounds like you did well. The price was very good, and your brass looks good.
With the S&B make sure you check them with a magnet. They make some "brass coated" steel cases if that bothers you.

My next recommendation is to try ALL your local ranges and hope to get lucky. I have one outdoor range that I come home with 500 cases after shooting 100 or so. The only reason I stop at 500 is due to a sore back. I've been lucky enough to have never paid for 9mm brass.

Sounds like your ready to get started----do it, you'll like it.

 

[mmcb987]

Where I live there are NO outdoor public ranges. Closest is 1 hour drive. Otherwise there is an indoor pistol range, but I got "talked to" about even picking up my own brass. They saw my bag when I was leaving and thought I had dipped into their buckets. Been looking for a good place to even shoot let alone a range

 

[mmcb987]

1SOW - Thanks for the info, I'll check em out for sure. There were 3 nickel/steel shells in there too, was wondering how to tell which they were. Guessing the magnet test will work on them too

 

[bubbacrabb]

The nickel should be pretty shiney, and will usually in my experience have always had the big headstamps like win, r-p, speer, etc. Most the the steel I've found has been tulu, wolf. I think most new guys have a harder time sorting the aluminum and nickel cases. Especially when they're covered with a little mud. You can usually tell them by feel I think. The aluminum is a lot lighter in weight. You didnt do bad on the price on that brass. I typically wont even pick up 9mm anymore. I have gathered over 20k of it, and only pick up what I shoot or whats close to that. It doesnt sell very well either, usually i see it go on the boards for 20-30 dollars per 1k. Start searching the trading post usually desent prices on here.

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like I'm gonna need to buy a 380 now

Your getting the hang of it.

 

[beardking]

Load it!
Crap, I got 500+ rounds of .40 S&W desert pickup brass I'd send to somebody for the price of shipping. I can't stand the thought of taking it to the recycler if someone can actually use it...

Umm....how much for the shipping?? I'd be interested in taking it off your hands.