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8/6/2026 1:59:11 PM EDT
At your local recycling.


How do they classify it and what are your current rates?

Locals are calling it "dirty" brass and $1-1.50 lb.
RIP MSgt Adam F. "Benji" Benjamin (EOD) KIA Helmand Prov 18 Aug 2009 Semper Fi bro' and save me a seat.

NC CCH Instructor
NRA pistol, rifle and shotgun Instructor
8/6/2026 2:06:03 PM EDT
[#1]
One place tried to tell me my scrap brass was dirty brass, and I said well, just take it back then he gave me the clean brass price, which was almost double
AcidGambit, I’ve always wanted to milk a lactating chick... Like make her get on her knees, milk her tits, and make her moooo.
8/6/2026 2:31:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TGH456E][Edited] [#2]
Here they call it "yellow brass."
It's been a minute, but called them just now, it's 3.25/lb for clean.
Which is what I drop off.
To them, "dirty" is mixed metal like if it has solder etc on it.
Dirty price today was 2.50/lb.

In other words, spent brass is clean and they haven't argued with me, so I have gotten the clean price.
8/6/2026 3:11:23 PM EDT
[#3]
while we are on the subject, what metals are primer parts (cub and anvil)  made from?
8/6/2026 3:14:30 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RareBear:
while we are on the subject, what metals are primer parts (cub and anvil)  made from?
View Quote


Brass.  If the primer is silver, it's nickel coated. Scrapyard I went to never had any issues with dead primers or brass, nickel or not.  

Last time I went, I took maybe a 1/3 full 5 gallon bucket and got over $50 for it.
The value of Freedom is not realized until it is lost
8/6/2026 8:05:59 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RareBear:
while we are on the subject, what metals are primer parts (cub and anvil)  made from?
View Quote

To amplify, AMERICAN primers have brass anvils, and either plain or nickel plated cups.  I've found, totally by accident, that some Russian primers MAY have steel anvils.  When I discovered this, I went through a LARGE quantity of fired primers with a magnet and pulled probably a couple hundred primers out of thousands.  Fortunately most of the steel primers had come out of the cups, so there weren't many primers that I had to separate from the rest.

After I collect a bunch of primers, I run a magnet over 'em.  Since I haven't fired any Russian ammo lately, nor collected Russian-made cases, I haven't come across any steel anvils in quite a while - this may have only been a short term thing, but I'm a bit spooked, so I still check.

I've studiously kept my fired plated primers separate from the unplated ones - I put scrap plated cases in with them too, so I have a container of plated brass and one of completely UNplated brass.
8/6/2026 11:05:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Yards around here call them " brass shells" and it goes for around $3/lb, it's been around a month since I've turned any in.
8/7/2026 7:19:00 AM EDT
[#7]
Sounds like my local guy is a ripoff.... said they pay $1/lb
RIP MSgt Adam F. "Benji" Benjamin (EOD) KIA Helmand Prov 18 Aug 2009 Semper Fi bro' and save me a seat.

NC CCH Instructor
NRA pistol, rifle and shotgun Instructor
8/7/2026 7:23:28 AM EDT
[#8]
The range I go to they collect it in buckets all year and when they turn it in its like 10k.
8/7/2026 9:24:19 PM EDT
[#9]
Last time I turned some in (about a year ago) it was called "cartridge brass" and earned me $2.2x a pound.
I am not an AFT agent.
8/7/2026 11:57:35 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Jeremy2171:
Sounds like my local guy is a ripoff.... said they pay $1/lb
View Quote


It’s based on how close they are to the smelter. Close as in how many middle men are involved. Some scrap yards sell to the next dealer up the chain. Near my house, they pay 1.25, 20 minutes farther away, they pay 2.35.
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
8/10/2026 11:34:34 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Hking][Edited] [#11]
When you have a Devil Forge having "scrap brass" means more material for another hobby

Attached File
8/13/2026 10:32:27 AM EDT
[#12]
My recycler is offering $2.60 dirty, $3.10 clean. Dirty meaning, has some steel and aluminum mixed in. Clean is all brass, nothing live mixed in.

Those are California prices though.
8/13/2026 11:54:48 AM EDT
[#13]
At my metal recycler today clean, scrap, yellow brass is going for $3.15 per lb. I'm headed there in a bit as I have right at 84 lbs of it. I can use the $264.40 it will bring.
8/13/2026 1:13:13 PM EDT
[#14]
The only recycler in 65 miles won't take primers, only brass cases. One nickel case and he says no. Only paid 1.25 last time I went.
8/13/2026 3:15:14 PM EDT
[Last Edit: COSteve][Edited] [#15]
Brass primers are good to go as well because I demonstrated years ago that I checked each to make sure they're fired.

BTW, they gave me credit for 85 lbs so I got $267.75  
8/13/2026 4:29:12 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Hking:
When you have a Devil Forge having "scrap brass" means more material for another hobby

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/363844/uswvgLz_jpg-3809127.JPG
View Quote

@Hking

OK, that's 😎

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