Selling a gun when heavily invested in ammo/components

[Jason_W]

I'm considering selling a gun that I'm pretty sure would fetch a decent price. The catch is that I'm pretty heavily invested in reloading components as well as factory and handloaded ammo. Most of the components could be sold, as could factory ammo, but I wouldn't know what to do with handloaded ammo. My inclination is that selling my home brews would be a really bad idea.

[adirondakjack]

When I divested myself of a caliber a while back, I let some handloaded ammo sit around a while. Then I realized I wasn't gonna use it, nor would I sell reloads, owing to liability issues, so I called the local PD, and sure enough they said "bring it down". They have a big bucket of damaged or otherwise unusable ammo. When it gets full, they give em to the fire department to use for training burns.

Now if ya had a lot, and the brass was worth saving, you could use a big pair of channel locks or end nippers and an open hole in yer press to rapidly pull bullets. Melt the bullets down, dump the powder on the wife's flower beds, and sell the brass.

[jnyork]

My inclination is that selling my home brews would be a really bad idea.

Wise decision. Pull the bullets and sell the components. Or go shoot 'em up!!

[O.S.O.K.]

I've done this many times. Shoot the ammo and enjoy and then sell the components. Or, pull the bullets, powder, and sell the primed cases...

I usually sell the dies with the brass and have had very good success - figure about 70% of "new" cost = gunbroker.

[Malamute]

In general I don't like shooting anyone elses reloads, but I dont mind buying reloaded ammo if the price is right and its worth the time to break them down for components, especially in the more unusual calibers. I can pull bullets, check charges, and recharge with a known powder, or use what was in it it its identified, I just want to confirm the charge.


Or,... you could shoot up the ammo before selling the gun, then sell the brass.

[Jason_W]

I probably will shoot off the balance before selling. Seems like the least laborious method.

If I decide to sell at all, that is.

[Malamute]

Well, you can shoot up all the reloaded ammo, then you can load it again if you don't sell the gun, and have had the fun of shooting it. Win-Win.

[Hobie]

Based on past experience I'd have one heck of a good time shooting up all those reloads and then sell the brass. Every other option (and most have been mentioned) was lacking for me.

[Jeff H]

I probably will shoot off the balance before selling. Seems like the least laborious method.

If I decide to sell at all, that is.

I have let potential buyers use it up (under my supervision) and it usually hooks them - being able to shoot up some "free" stuff is hard for anyone to resist. Once in a while, the prospective buyer opts out, but nothing lost, the ammo is used up and not a problem.

[Old Savage]

What is the ammo?

[Sixgun]

First of all, how much is the "not needed stuff" worth? a hundred? two hundred? (not likely) Big deal. I've been there and done that. Let it sit as somewhere along the line you will find a use for it. Whats a couple of hundred today?...enough to pay an electric bill?

Its like the guy who sells his tools because he is tired of turning wrenches. What are you going to get for $3,000 worth of tools? $400?? Let your kids worry about it after you smoke and if you don't have kids, oh well....your not gonna know about it anyway. ----------------Sixgun

[Ysabel Kid]

Based on past experience I'd have one heck of a good time shooting up all those reloads and then sell the brass. Every other option (and most have been mentioned) was lacking for me.

+1

Sounds like th ebest overall plan!

[chainsaw]

What are your home brews?I wouldn't be scared to shoot handloads if the load was published and they weren't max loads.

[KirkD]

I made the mistake of selling my dies and brass for the 38-40 when I sold my Model 1892 in that caliber. Turns out I liked the caliber so much, I now have two old leverguns chambered for it ..... and I had to buy new dies and brass!

[damienph]

I made the mistake of selling my dies and brass for the 38-40 when I sold my Model 1892 in that caliber. Turns out I liked the caliber so much, I now have two old leverguns chambered for it ..... and I had to buy new dies and brass!

I never get rid of dies. You just really never do know if, or when, the opportunity to use them again might arise.

[mikld]

Ifn' it were me, I'd store some, mebbee 100 rounds. On the rest I'd pull the bullets (remelt), and dump powder and store everything together in a good air tight container (dies good ammo, primed brass, and any special tools/parts needed for reloading) Won't take up much room and you may pick up aother rifle in the same caliber, or later maybe the dies/parts will be worth more? But that's just me, as I still have a ball pien hammer I bought in 1969...

[Jason_W]

Ifn' it were me, I'd store some, mebbee 100 rounds. On the rest I'd pull the bullets (remelt), and dump powder and store everything together in a good air tight container (dies good ammo, primed brass, and any special tools/parts needed for reloading) Won't take up much room and you may pick up aother rifle in the same caliber, or later maybe the dies/parts will be worth more? But that's just me, as I still have a ball pien hammer I bought in 1969...

That's actually what occurred to me today. If I sell the gun, I'll put my handloads in good airtight storage and sell off any other components and factory ammo I have.