Scrapping Spent Brass Shells: Maximizing Value & Selling to Reloaders

Scrapping Spent Brass Shells: Maximizing Value & Selling to Reloaders
Spent brass shell casings are a valuable scrap material for those involved in metal recycling. Whether you're a firearms enthusiast, a shooting range owner, or a scrapper looking for profitable materials, brass shells can provide a good return. While many choose to scrap spent brass, another lucrative option is selling them to reloaders who repurpose the casings for ammunition. Here’s how to get the most value out of your spent brass shells.
Understanding the Value of Brass Shells

Brass is a non-ferrous metal, meaning it does not contain iron and is resistant to rust. Because of its durability and recyclability, brass is always in demand in the scrap industry. Spent brass shell casings, in particular, can fetch a good price at scrap yards, but their value can be even higher if sold to reloaders.
Scrap Value of Brass Shells

When selling brass shells for scrap, prices vary depending on market conditions and location. Scrap yards often categorize brass into clean and dirty brass. Clean brass (free of primers and contaminants) fetches a higher price, while dirty brass (containing steel, aluminum, or plastic components) is worth less per pound.
To maximize profit when scrapping:

• Remove steel or aluminum components.
  
• Ensure casings are clean and dry.
  
• Separate brass shells from other metals.
  
• Check local scrap yard prices before selling.

Selling Spent Brass to Reloaders

Many firearm enthusiasts and commercial reloaders look for quality spent brass to repurpose into live ammunition. Instead of scrapping, selling to reloaders can be more profitable since they often pay per piece rather than per pound.
How to Prepare Spent Brass for Reloading Sales

To attract buyers, follow these steps:

1. Sort by Caliber – Reloaders prefer specific calibers, so separating shells increases their value.
   
2. Deprime & Clean – Removing spent primers and polishing the brass makes it more desirable.
   
3. Inspect for Damage – Dented or cracked casings should be discarded.
   
4. Package Properly – Selling in lots of 100, 500, or 1,000 rounds helps buyers purchase in bulk.
   
5. Advertise in the Right Places – Use online marketplaces, firearm forums, and social media groups to find interested buyers.

Where to Sell Spent Brass

• Online Firearm Forums & Marketplaces (e.g., GunBroker, Armslist)
  
• Scrap Metal & Reloading Communities (Facebook groups, Reddit)
  
• Local Gun Shops & Shooting Ranges
  
• Auction & Classified Sites (eBay allows empty brass sales in compliance with policies)

Legal Considerations

Before selling spent brass, be aware of any local or federal regulations. Some areas may require licensing for large-scale brass sales. Always ensure your transactions comply with the law.
Final Thoughts

Scrapping spent brass shells is a great way to recycle valuable metal, but selling them to reloaders can significantly increase your profits. Whether you’re looking for a quick scrap payout or prefer to take the extra steps for resale, knowing your options ensures you get the best return on your brass shell casings.
Do you have experience selling spent brass? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!

I probably had 40 - 50 lbs of spent shells come into the shop last year from different sources. My dad was military trained so always stressed the safe handling of firearms and ammunition from a pretty young age. My experience was that it was a mixed bag of stuff and was quite time consuming to go through it all and do it right. There were live rounds, spent rounds, misfires where the primer had been struck but the powder didn't ignite, water damaged rounds, rounds that had been re-primed but not reloaded, and steel rounds.

I'm not a reloader so i'm not trained to safely dismantle live rounds or rounds with unspent primers. All of those were loaded into a watertight ammo can and filled with water ... then safely disposed of.

Next came the sorting of the steel from the brass.

The mistake i made was throwing the ammo brass in with my regular brass. Got to the scrap yard had to haul it back to the shop. The ammo brass needs to be kept separate and pays a bit less than regular yellow brass an the yard i go to.

Anyhow ... it was all a learning experience. A bit time consuming but that's just the nature of scrapping. Some brass comes easy. Other times ... you really have to work for it.

Selling military brass to foreign countries could end up in jail time.