Value of Reloading Components

[ktm450]

All,
I am helping to value an estate (that will not go to public sale) and the deceased left a lot of shooting related items. All of the items of obvious value (guns, presses, holsters) are gone. The family is trying to figure “fair market value” for components, magazines, books. Most of the items are from 1970, but unopened or pristine.What % of new (if any) or how else would you determine pricing to:

All from approximately 1970
Bullets - .38, .270, .308, .25, .22 name brand
Loaded ammo - rifle and .45acp
Brass - same
Manuals/Handloader magazines

These items are not for sale to the public and will never be offered (don’t get excited about a future classified offering), but the family has to decide “fair market value”. Thanks in advance.

 

[Deplorable77]

Based on the extensive photos and excellent descriptions with quantities, I can confidently say the lot will go a dollar two ninety eight plus tax

 

[Opah]

So many things to take into account. The Ammo is it reloads in a factory box and new Old ammo. how was it stored, in seal containers in a safe or out on a garage in a cabinet ?
The rifles are basically the same but they can be take to a gun smith for evaluation.
If this is for insurance value unless you have thousands and thousands of rounds I would 50/60 percent the new old stock rounds and eat (Take the loss) on the reloads
New brass is about $100:00 for 250 round so 50/60 % off of that

 

[Gunnersdad49]

books and magazines = $0
Sealed boxes of bullets, 35-50% of new price
loaded ammo (if factory) $10 per box
Reloads, brass, etc, throw into a pile and depending on quantity just throw a dollar amount on it that will cover the cost of a large pizza. Without any additional info, this is what I would do for an estate.

 

[Trogon]

LOL.

Don't worry, nothing about this post is exciting. Fair market value is what some guy driving down the street is willing to pay for a hodgepodge of misc junk.

 

[cnelk]

If that was at a yard sale, Id offer no more than $50

 

[ktm450]

Thanks; all I was looking for is approximate %/way to value about 2000lbs of packaged/random stuff related to shooting. I got what I was looking for and will proceed.

 

[Rob5589]

My wifes uncle died several years ago and left behind a bunch of stuff as he did some gunsmithing. The only things of true value was the reloading equipment, which I now have. Most of the comps were old and thus "out of date" compared to current offerings. I gave most of it away and kept what I could use. To sum up, you/they aren't likely sitting on a gold mine.

 

[Trogon]

Thanks; all I was looking for is approximate %/way to value about 2000lbs of packaged/random stuff related to shooting. I got what I was looking for and will proceed.

2000lbs?

OK, we are getting somewhere now. That's a lot of brass and lead, not just some ol'timers scraps. We might be more helpful if you provided a bit more information. Or just research it yourself on gunbroker.

 

[ktm450]

I did not expect nor am I looking for an overall value. I also did a lot of research on EBay and Gunbroker. The feedback in generalizations was helpful. In short, is a box of partition bullets from 1970 worth:
1970 retail
2019 retail
COVID crazy
A % value of something in the middle

There is not a lot of information about this type of question around. GB has plenty of new or recent items, but nothing like what I am asking.

Then expand this question to 2000 pounds of stuff and that’s what I am doing. I was curious on what others thought in approximate or general terms. Additionally, I wanted to know what other thought about the periodicals/books. The answers are in the realm of what I was thinking and I appreciate the sounding board.

 

[Rob5589]

I did not expect nor am I looking for an overall value. I also did a lot of research on EBay and Gunbroker. The feedback in generalizations was helpful. In short, is a box of partition bullets from 1970 worth:
1970 retail
2019 retail
COVID crazy
A % value of something in the middle

There is not a lot of information about this type of question around. GB has plenty of new or recent items, but nothing like what I am asking.

Then expand this question to 2000 pounds of stuff and that’s what I am doing. I was curious on what others thought in approximate or general terms. Additionally, I wanted to know what other thought about the periodicals/books. The answers are in the realm of what I was thinking and I appreciate the sounding board.

I would think it would depend on how much the comps have changed over the years. For example, is a 50 year old partition as good as the current version? I have no idea myself. That is the kind of info needed in order to come up with a value.

 

[Opah]

you pretty much got it
Brass and lead are on a high at the recyclers, so you could cost it at the material value.
you do have the covid rise in all shooting but that is only good if you were to offer it up for sale, which you have clearly stated it is not.
Powder does degrade to some extent over time so old does not mean more value. Reloads are like a box of candy you never know what your going to Get, a barrel blowing up in your face or a bullet stuck in the barrel.

 

[Deplorable77]

"ITS HARD TO READ BRAILLE IF YOU DONT HAVE FINGERS"

Reloads are like a box of candy you never know what your going to Get, a barrel blowing up in your face or a bullet stuck in the barrel.

-this should be remembered everytime someone contemplates shooting someone else's reloads.

 

[unclericco]

Well you didn't provide enough information for anybody to give any kind of WAG as to what you even have. 2000 lbs is alot but really with what I know from your posts, the brass is probably the most valuable and the rest not worth much at all. Shooting has advanced alot in recent years and them old bullets and powder probably not worth much.

 

[ktm450]

I am not asking for people to weigh in on what I have. I am asking for general feedback on how one would value old components in today’s market. For example, there are 33 boxes of unopened .270 130 grain Nosler partitions From 1970. A new box costs 40$ how would one go about assigning value to one from 1970?

There are 25 boxes of Winchester unprimed (new) brass from the same era in batches of 20/box. Brass is not sold that way anymore, so would a 2020 per piece price work or should one reduce it because of age? This scenario plays out over multiple different calibers for thousands of boxes.

 

[Deplorable77]

I feel like this has the potential to go "alone guy" status, so I've screen shot the entire thread.

 

[Deplorable77]

In my opinion, the 33 boxes of unopened. 270 should be valued at 50% of used/ once fired brass prices. I think if I was in your shoes I would base all loaded ammo off this rationale... including the unprimed brass.

 

[Rob5589]

I am not asking for people to weigh in on what I have. I am asking for general feedback on how one would value old components in today’s market. For example, there are 33 boxes of unopened .270 130 grain Nosler partitions From 1970. A new box costs 40$ how would one go about assigning value to one from 1970?

There are 25 boxes of Winchester unprimed (new) brass from the same era in batches of 20/box. Brass is not sold that way anymore, so would a 2020 per piece price work or should one reduce it because of age? This scenario plays out over multiple different calibers for thousands of boxes.

I would value the brass only in that ammo. 50 years old and stored who knows how isn't confidence inspiring. Brass itself as long as not corroded is worth about what it is now for the most part. I get the feeling you are thinking that there is some added value to being 50+ years old. There isn't. If you have some uncommon calibers that may be worth something. Reloads are an absolute no shoot but good for pulling and using brass and possibly bullets.

 

[MrTim]

Today’s retail on the bullets. Heavily discount the rest of the stuff.
I’ve been in your position.

 

[ktm450]

I am shutting my own thread down. I don’t think there is any special value to any of it, nor am I looking for a premium on anything, nor am I asking random strangers on a forum to put a value on a pile of unknown crap.

I have to assign prices for the estate. I was looking for general feedback on how people would go about pricing (approximately) older stuff. I have my answers and appreciate the replies.