RecycleRangeLead.com - Recycling Brass Shells

Recycling Brass Shells: What to Know

Whether aged, rusting ammo, or expired rounds at the range, ammunition is a material that needs proper disposal procedures. In fact, recycling brass shells come effortlessly considering that the material is completely recyclable.

The procedure of recycling brass shells casings starts with the compilation of the material. Whether a shooting range, gun shop, ammo manufacturer, or government body. The procedure to recycle and reuse brass shells, casings, and range lead can make a company extra money on scrap metal.

Brass shells have fame that stems from the shell casings strength, rust resistance, and simplicity of reloading. In fact, producers that create large amounts of scrap brass shells can reuse this metal to make more ammo.

The brass shell casing is recyclable. When recycling brass shells, recycling centers like us ensure to regain 90% of the metal.

What is in Ammunition?

When recycling brass shells, it is best to get to know the components that make up a piece of ammunition, also known as a cartridge. A cartridge consists of the following:

Bullet
Casing
Gun powder
Primer

Situated on the bottom of the casing is the primer. The gunpowder is within the casing while the bullet peeks out of the casing. The bullet is usually made of lead, while the casing is usually made from brass.

The method of recycling brass shells finds that metal shell casings with small amounts of aluminum and manganese bronze. So, brass shells contain valuable metals that are precious to recycling centers.

The Recycling Brass Shells Process

Shell additives are typically made from brass, aluminum, or steel. Sometimes, the coating of brass shells consists of chrome, nickel, silver, or even gold. After arranging the brass shells, the recycling process then continues with:

Removing the shell.
Shells are “popped” in a high-temperature kiln.
A quality control supervisor verifies the shells are ready to proceed.
The shells are then cleaned to remove as much lead and dirt as possible.
Inspectors then run clean-and-popped shells through a shaker table.
Next, a hammer mill or shredder takes the shells and deforms them into smaller pieces. Aggregator machines take these pieces and load them for transportation.
Finally, the shells go to a brass mill. Brass shells are then melted, combined, and mixed with metallic elements to achieve a specific blend.

To end the recycling process, brass shells are then pressed into rod or ingot. Similarly, we buy scrap brass cartridges throughout the United States.

Where to Take Scrap Brass Shells

Many types of brass are scrapable. Yet, clean material has a greater value. Furthermore, there is a common misconception with various recyclers and manufacturers that ammo is not recyclable. However, this idea is wrong. Despite their recyclability, many have trouble finding a facility with the tools necessary to adequately recycle brass shells.

A local gun range or recycling center offers scrappers a secure and rewarding way to dispose of brass shells. In addition, it is necessary to avoid:

Burying ammunition as a way of disposal
Throwing away ammunition

By following these guidelines, you can help protect our planet from pollution.

Local Gun Range

Many community gun ranges accept rusted rounds or brass shells. A few ranges will even collect dud rounds – cartridges that do not fire when the trigger is pulled – and dispose of them correctly.

Recycling Center

There are many hazardous waste collection sites or recycling centers that accept brass shells. For example, we recycle used brass shells and cartridges, inside/outside range lead, demilled military ordnance, tactical munitions, and artillery shells.

Established in 1996, we have expanded to prominence as one of the most reliable recyclers of nonferrous scrap in the United States. The company is undergoing significant market position growth due to several factors that suggest continuous acceleration for years to come. In addition, the company buys components, whole units, peripherals, batteries and boards, and precious metal anywhere in North America for recycling.

Brass shells are the most popular type of recycled ammunition. However, most people are oblivious of the potential to reuse brass shell casings. We offer recycling brass shells services to various groups – including military, gun stores, and ammo manufacturers. Many of which face the issue of how to manage undesirable or expired ammunition. We buy scrap brass cartridges throughout the United States. For more information about recycling brass shells, click here.