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Quick question. What do you reckon the going rate is for once fired brass? Specifically, .223 PPU.

It's 30 quid a hundred new so is a tenner per hundred too cheap? I'm not selling, but buying. Want three or four hundred cases for cheap plinking ammo over the ETR range using Relcom FMJs I understand it's not regarded as "top quality" brass but I like it and it's definitely better than the price suggests.

But am I being a skin flint?

PPU rifle brass is decent quality and no military crimped primer pockets to ream out :)

Going rate is whatever you're willing to pay, £10-£15/100 for once fired 223 is pretty average.

I'm always sceptical about the term "once fired". Can you really tell how many loadings used cases have had?

Redcat

redcat wrote:I'm always sceptical about the term "once fired". Can you really tell how many loadings used cases have had?

Yes, I agree. Second hand brass would be more apt. And quite prepared for one or two beyond use when cleaned and inspected....

redcat wrote:I'm always sceptical about the term "once fired". Can you really tell how many loadings used cases have had?

Redcat

I've found that primers can give the game away. The factory ones I've seen so far are invariably the same colour as the brass and have coloured 'loctite' type goop on them. The two brands of primer I've used (CCI and Federal) are silver so would be easily spotted. That said I'm sure there'll be silver, non-gooped factory primed ammo out there too...

The most I've paid for S/H PPU .223 brass so far I think was £12/100

Blackstuff wrote:I've found that primers can give the game away. The factory ones I've seen so far are invariably the same colour as the brass and have coloured 'loctite' type goop on them. The two brands of primer I've used (CCI and Federal) are silver so would be easily spotted. That said I'm sure there'll be silver, non-gooped factory primed ammo out there too...

Fiocchi primers I use are brass coloured.

redcat wrote:I'm always sceptical about the term "once fired". Can you really tell how many loadings used cases have had?

Redcat

You can - sort of. If you're buying from someone who doesn't handload/reload and they bought factory ammo, you can be assured that it is once fired. This wouldn't be a problem if you knew the person, but on the internet you would just have to take their word for it.

To be honest if you are plinking at the ETR range just bulk buy some Steel Case and don't bother reloading.

Once fired milsurp will have a crimped primer.