Best method for counting bulk brass, 9mm 45acp etc

Fargone4sure

Fargone4sure

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Hi guys. I buy a fair amount of pistol brass off the ee. Twice in the recent past I've received far less than what there was supposed to be. In both cases it was 45acp and the seller had weighed some brass, then extrapolated for the shipment. But because the weight of brass varies so much, this is unreliable. So much so that a shipment of 4000 ended up being about 1500 short.
This is not to complain, in both cases the seller was willing to correct the problem, and the issue was resolved amicably. So no problem there.
But it got me to thinking about better ways to count brass when you are dealing with large amounts.
Obviously actually counting them would be the most accurate, but probably unrealistic for larger amounts. Personally I have counted out how many fit in a quart jar, repeated this several times, and then used the average from those as a benchmark to measure out the balance. And this seams to be reasonably accurate.
Anybody found a better way?
 
I always just weigh mine. I do use the weight of 100 cases as a baseline. My feeling is that this averages the weights well enough for most purposes.

I'm amazed that someone could be 1500/4000 out by using weight as a measure.
 
Cranberry said:
I always just weigh mine. I do use the weight of 100 cases as a baseline. My feeling is that this averages the weights well enough for most purposes.

I'm amazed that someone could be 1500/4000 out by using weight as a measure.
Click to expand...

he got 2500 instead of 4000, but still that seems like alot to be out by.
 
I have a $15 electronic scale that will allow me to zero with 25, 50, 75, 100pcs.

Usually a handy red solo cup and count them out quickly in batches of 100pcs and keep track of how many times I've dumped it for total.

Quite quick and very accurate. I'm not expecting 4k worth to take me two seconds though. Couple minutes of my time for sure.
 
you got 2500/4000? weight issue, definitely not. You got ripped off

roughly 12.8 #s per 1000, so you were shorted about 19 #s of brass
 
Weighting should be best guess +-10% for a random sample of say 10%
2500/4000 is 62.5% NO WAY was that weight, not even close. Did the seller weight one or two brass, then multiple by 4000/2000?
 
My counting scale is one of the best investments I made for handling bulk brass. I scoop a 100 count tray into the bucket, throw it on it and say that "this is 100 pieces." It rebuts "Yes, it is 100 pieces, and by the way, Brian, you are still a jack*ss. Now load me up"

Once I have it setup it will read out any quantity up to 5 digits (99,999) that weighs up to 30KG.

Here is the link
 
If I am selling large amounts of brass, I start by counting out 105 pieces. I then use that amount as a base weight and continue until I have the desired amount. The 5 extra pieces per 100 compensate for any defective pieces that I failed to cull and the buyer receives the correct amount plus 50 extra or so per thousand.
 
I use a 100rd ammo box in front of the TV. Every time I fill the tray I set one brass aside. When I have 10 sitting there, I've counted 1000, Then I throw in an big extra handful
 
burnaby said:
Weighting should be best guess +-10% for a random sample of say 10%
2500/4000 is 62.5% NO WAY was that weight, not even close. Did the seller weight one or two brass, then multiple by 4000/2000?
Click to expand...

I suspect the sellers did use a very small sampling, perhaps only 1 piece. In the 2500/4000 instance I could tell at a glance it was short (too small of box, too light), but for someone not accustomed to brass in bulk, it would be an easy error to make.

Which is why it is good to have input from some of you that have developed methods that have proved accurate and reliable.
 
Can't take more then 5 minutes to count out 4000 in 5s, I imagine you paid somewhere between $200 and 400.00 for them, I don't think it's too much to ask to have seller accually count them, even with packing and trip to post office they are at 4 to 800.00 an hour for something they obviously aren't going to use.
I know this didn't answer, but really if you dump on a table or counter and slide off into bucket in 5s, it is very fast.
 
agreed the sellers must have had a brain fart or just do not care, it is too easy to count out 1000

at one a second it is 16 minutes at 5 per 1.5 seconds it is about 6.5 minutes easy peasy

no excuses here

Jeff


Greglc said:
Can't take more then 5 minutes to count out 4000 in 5s, I imagine you paid somewhere between $200 and 400.00 for them, I don't think it's too much to ask to have seller accually count them, even with packing and trip to post office they are at 4 to 800.00 an hour for something they obviously aren't going to use.
I know this didn't answer, but really if you dump on a table or counter and slide off into bucket in 5s, it is very fast.
Click to expand...
 
Count out and weigh 100, then do the math to figure out the mass of 4000. This is far and away the most reasonable approach.

If you are out by more than 2% it is not a problem with the method, it is a problem with the operator.
 
Every time I've bought range brass, I've gotten extras. Even from commercial sellers. With a proper and expensive counting scale, it can be very easy to count by weight but unlikely that too many people are going to want to spend the significant (like 2G's) amount that they cost.
Then there's guys like "bogie" on here that I'm pretty sure is sneaking into my house at night and topping up the supposed 3000 pieces of 9mm brass that I bought from him. Allegedly packed in 500 piece bags, more like 600 or more. And I think they're multiplying.
 
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