Hi, I am new to the forum. I was researching a thread on vintage 38 ammo I found here through a google search and in the process of registering to this forum, I lost the thread. It was somewhere back in 2010. I am an accomplished highpower rifle and smallbore competitor, but although I know how to use a pistol, I can only call myself a novice bullseye competitor. I played with it years ago and have recently taken it up again. Years ago when I was a pup, an elderly gentleman willed me a couple of cases of 38 S&W Special Peters Police Match 146 gr wc (small primer), Peters 158Gr r n Rustless No. 3844 (large primer) and a few boxes of Remington UMC 158 gr. (small primer). I shot a lot of it up when I was younger, but now I am ready to began shooting a lot of rounds again, I am thinking it to be a shame to blow holes in the 5 and 6 ring with vintage ammo. I saw some info on the No. 3844 but I did not quite understand the conversation. Does this stuff have any value? I reload, and can turn it into small primer brass, which may or may not be more accurate than large primer brass, (if it is anything like rifle brass,) but if your at marksman level, that is not even a factor. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks,

I don't have an answer. If you Google "Vintage Cartridge Value" and "Cartridge Collecting Forum,"you may find the information you seek. Lots of sites came up when I used those search terms.

Some of the boxes that ammunition came in have collector value, particularly .22 rimfire and shot shell boxes. I don't think that old lots of popular ammo such as the .38 SPL have any significant collector value. I keep a few old boxes on display mainly as curios as I enjoy seeing things manufactured long before I was born.

As is true with all collectibles, condition is important. When you mention "cases," it suggests that the ammo boxes might have been protected and therefore in relatively pristine condition. Color preservation is also better when stored in cool, dry, and low light conditions. Collectors want that. Graphics are also important - if the police match ammo has the picture of the policeman with a gun on it, it's a bit more valuable than a plain box. Pictures on boxes (birds, dogs, people, guns, etc.) tend to command a premium at the auctions and auction sites that I visit. An example is the old two-piece cartridge boxes circa 1900 (give or take a decade or two) which have the image of a pistol on the top.
You might find a collector (or someone who wants the ammo box for a photo prop) who would gladly trade some new ammo for your vintage items.

Most ammunition having a collector premium will be full boxes in excellent condition made, say, pre-1950, especially pre-WWII (except military ammo). Especially obsolete calibers. If much later than that, you may as well shoot it up. If this sort of thing interests you, visit the website of the International Ammunition Association. That's where all the ammo collectors live.

Thanks for all your feedback. I will check out the links.