Surplus Mil-Brass

J

JeepHammer

Moderator
On Election Day, I was bidding on surplus Mil-brass,
About 4pm, when they were showing Clinton ahead in some key states, the price shot to the moon!

I got a couple lots, but I had to seriously pay for them,
Now the auction site is asking me if I want more lots others have defaulted on their bids.
Do you suppose Trump getting elected, the guys thought that brass wouldn't shoot up in price again?

Anyway, I'm trying to decide if I want to pick up extra lots.
Its still pretty far above scrap or spot weight, since the idiots defaulted I have the chance to pick them up at my last highest bid, just don't know if I should or not.

There is still some government contract overrun brass out there, keeping the market from going too stupid high, but when that's gone it might stabilize a little higher than it is right now...
I just don't know, too many factors that can move the price around.

Anyone got any insight into what the market might do?
 
I doubt the market is going to go up, it will probably stay where it's at or go down some.

The thing that amuses me is that everyone thinks that Trump is going to wave a magical wand and all the gun laws are going to disappear! Never gonna happen, not today not tomorrow, he's got other things to do.

At least for the next four years your 2nd Amendment will be relatively safe.
 
Right now, the market is being held in place by 'Surplus', new brass from the big government contract. That is drying up, and prices are starting to rise a little, but not a big amount.

It will be interesting to see if the big manufactures can keep supplies up, and re-tool where needed to keep brass on the market, or if they are going to idle production to keep prices up...
Seems the big three are taking different approaches, and as long as they don't all decide to drive prices up by limiting production, brass should stay reasonable.
Might not always find the brand you like best, but some will be available...

Brass is down in price generally, but cartridge brass coils is staying up, the military is still buying plenty, and they always get first priority.
Don't know, like I said, too many factors that can go either way...

I'm sitting on mine until after the first of the year,
Gives me time to process about half a million, and it shod give the market time to settle in a little better, some of the variables might stabilize between now and then,
I'm trying to figure if I want to be stuck with another million for the foreseeable future or not...
 
Personally, I think speculating on military once fired brass, without an actual need and use is unwise. But if you bought high and now need to exit your position low enough to make it attractive, someone will buy it.
 
With a metal shop under foot, it's not a big deal.
Half million fits in a couple skid size tubs.
When you are set up to produce a lot of little parts deburring & polishing tumblers/vibrator bins are par for the course.

We are hitting the 'Slow Season' for what I normally produce, so plenty of time and bad weather to keep me in doors, and I need something to do...

Automation will do processing if people want it processed, just need a monkey to fill the feed bins and push the big green button.
 
Panic buying is driven by panic, and as long as people can generate panic, anything from Y2K, 12/21/12, political climate, ect, there will be panic buying.

I'm thinking long term, at current rates, which are a long way from panic highs, and government stock pile purchase highs, there is still meat on the bone.

I just don't know if I should pick anymore up...
I kind of look at this as slow season production, a fill in. Extra brass sitting around at a little high, but still reasonable price, to be sold or processes at leisure isn't tying up a ton of money, and is fairly constant income.
You can never tell what's around the corner, having some extra on hand would have been instant money, but I don't see the government buying 3.2 billion rounds again anytime soon.

On the other hand, I'm getting to the age I'm looking into a part time retirement business, not sure I want to jump in while the market is about 20% on the high side...

ANY insights will be helpful.
 
If whomever you were buying brass now has excess that they are wanting to move, is there some reason you can't offer to buy the excess at a lesser price? A fair offer may move them to accept. The worst thing that can happen is they either say no or counter with a offer of their own.
 
I ordered 500 pieces of brass I don't need last night.

I always admired Scrooge McDuck and his money bin.

I have a brass bin.
 
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