Who would use a brass prep service?
- Thread starter avocado
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
Not practical in my view, and most who compete are pretty particular about their ammo
- Location
- West Quebec
..... duplicate
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Can't see it. $12 to $15 to mail in 200 x 308. Same amount to mail back - therefore, $25 to $30 for Canada Post so far. A basic anneal, full length size / de-cap in an RCBS die, trim to length, chamfer, couple hours in a stainless pin tumbler, drying time. Deal with complaints about not properly sized to their chamber, oversize pockets due to umpteen previous loadings, inadequate annealing, etc., etc. So at, say $20 total for processing ($0.10 each), customer looking at $50 or more for 200 x 308 - ($0.25 each with most of that going to Canada Post). My best guess is the service provider would be getting $10/hour less their overhead, amortization and supplies, and I can just about predict the quality that comes with that level of earnings...
Thats what i was thinking. Im helping a mate do some market research. To get into a custom ammoreloading business requires a lot of fuss and legal steps. A brass prep service not so much. Although my thesis was that anyone who really needs to reload probably enjoys brass prep or prefers the control factor.
TRDYamahauler
Member
- Location
- Kootenays, BC
I listened to a podcast interview of an outfit in the states that does commercial custom handloads. I think that would be a valuable service for people that don’t have the time to do their own but can afford the extra cost of commercial loads. As you say tho then you are selling and shipping ammunition which is a lot of regulation and hassle. I think just a brass prep service probably doesn’t make sense unless it’s just for locals. The trouble is you still need the expertise and a reloading setup to finish the rounds and then the other trouble is you are competing against buying quality new brass, loading it once and selling it off.
Could be a good idea but...
I am fussy about how my brass is prepped, specifically the dies used.
Necks would still need to be resized once here, as they can can slightly deformed during transport.
And shipping cost would kill the deal.
May as well just sell commercially reloaded ammo, with a customer custom service available (as in customer choses brass parameters, projectile, primer, powder and weight...).
As usually the middle class and people doing good have got the time to reload, and the richer folks have got the money but often lack time...
I am fussy about how my brass is prepped, specifically the dies used.
Necks would still need to be resized once here, as they can can slightly deformed during transport.
And shipping cost would kill the deal.
May as well just sell commercially reloaded ammo, with a customer custom service available (as in customer choses brass parameters, projectile, primer, powder and weight...).
As usually the middle class and people doing good have got the time to reload, and the richer folks have got the money but often lack time...
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Black sheep brass already processes and resells range brass. Mostly 9mm pistol ammo. So the meat and potatoes to make it profitable is probably already gone.
TRDYamahauler
Member
- Location
- Kootenays, BC
The other consideration would be problems. What do you do when you clean, dry, anneal, lube, resize, etc then find out it won’t hold a primer? Or the customer has neck splits or a case head separation? Or you inspect and reject 25% of his brass and he assures you it was all good to go. Would you full length resize to SAAMI spec or bump the shoulder back a few thou and what about when you get a phone call because it doesn’t chamber after a bump back?
In that interview with the commercial handloader he said they don’t even touch used brass because there’s too much headache and problems and no money in it.
In that interview with the commercial handloader he said they don’t even touch used brass because there’s too much headache and problems and no money in it.
To re-manufacture loaded ammunition it takes special permits/licenses/requirements.
Every caliber that is to be sold needs to be sent to Natural Resources Canada to be tested. The fellow I buy my reloading stuff from is the only licensed business in B.C. legally allowed to make and sell re-manufactured ammunition.
