If its aluminum I usually break it over my knee until it fits in the drum. As for steel, unless there's no other way to fit it in with my load I leave as is with the exception of long steel pipes that I will bend in half using my trailer tongue for leverage. Copper is soft so I just stuff it in the barrel and pack it down with my sledge. If I had the time to cut it all up and the money to spend on fuel/blades etc to cut it with I would probably have an easier time fitting more weight in one load.

What do you use to cut? If its a grinder with a cutoff wheel you are literally burning money unless you're using it to cut windings. And for a torch in my opinion the only thing worth cutting is super long pipe and compressors. Save ur used up blades or keep track of ur fuel and u may be suprised at how much u spend on being neat.