What to do with .357 handloads I no longer can use?

[LoboGunLeather]

I recently received two good sized boxes of ammunition from a friend's estate. Several boxes of factory shotgun and rifle ammunition in various calibers, which I will use or share with others.

About 250 rounds of reloaded ammunition went into a hole in the ground with a couple of feet of dirt over the top, in a gully on the prairie known to be flooded during spring rains. Less time and effort than breaking it down for marginally useful components, maybe a little fertilizer for the flower beds.

 

[RonPagan]

Hang on to them in case you get another. 357?

 

[HKSmith]

Actually, you can mail ammunition. I have done it.
As I recall, I did it through the post office. The provided ORM-D stickers which had to be displayed on the outside of each box. I did not have to pay an extra fee.
I did this a few years ago, when I sold my SKS rifle with the ammo and spare components as a package deal.

I'm going to have to disagree - current postal regulations specifically prohibit mailing live ammunition. You have to use a common carrier, like UPS or Fedex, and affix the ORM-D label to the package. There is no extra fee for shipping ammunition by UPS or Fedex.

You can mail a rifle or shotgun by USPS, but you need an FFL to mail a handgun or other concealable firearm.

 

[AZ2VET]

Please don't just bury them. That would be a complete waste of totally reusable components; brass, primers and bullets. Turning them into the sheriff would be the same, as they will more than likely be burned.
There are some of us who WOULD pull them apart and start over.

 

[dave1918a2]

I think this is the best answer yet. I mean, who doesn’t own a .357...well, besides the OP

I don't own one.

 

[rkittine]

You CAN NOT mail loaded ammo via the USPS. If you get caught it is a $10,000 fine. You can send Primers and Powder with the Hazardous Material sticker and projectiles and brass without anything, but not loaded ammo.

Turning them into a local police force, could be a good way to get rid of them.

Where are you located?

 

[merl67]

I keep ammo even if I don't have a gun in that caliber even if it is a box or two. Why ? Because sooner or later I will need it....

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, put them back on the shelf.

 

[psween]

Not against just tucking them back on the shelf in case, but I haven't fired a round of .357 for at least 6 years and finally sold my 28 to fund a new gun. I don't really see myself getting another. Maybe will just break them down and sell the brass and bullets.

Patrick

 

[banger]

For the guys saying, "give it to the local Police department".

Not in my place.... We couldn't get rid of it either.

And.... I don't know anyone brave enough to fire someone else's mystery reloads.

 

[merl67]

I keep ammo in case I run into a good deal even if I plan on using it for trade fodder. I can then test the gun in question to make sure it functions properly. I will not knowingly pass along a nonfunctioning gun. I had rather take a loss....

 

[glenwolde]

FYI the ORM-D sticker has been obsolete for years...now it's:

New Diamond-Shaped Ammo Shipping Labels Replace “ORM-D” << Daily Bulletin

I once shipped some fired brass in its original cartons. It was opened and inspected. Bulk once-fired brass never seems to be though.

 

[HKSmith]

You CAN NOT mail loaded ammo via the USPS. If you get caught it is a $10,000 fine. You can send Primers and Powder with the Hazardous Material sticker and projectiles and brass without anything, but not loaded ammo.

Turning them into a local police force, could be a good way to get rid of them.

Where are you located?

You are correct that you cannot mail loaded ammunition, but you also cannot mail primers or powder. They all must go by common carrier, UPS or Fedex. Primers and powder require a Hazmat fee, ammunition does not.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Keep the ammo, you never know when your next .357 will come along.

Break them down and give the components away but for the powder.

Leave them in a box at the range with a note stating to be used as components only.

There are 3 good options IMO.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Glue "em" to a board and nail it on the wall.

 

[38SPL HV]

check with your local PD to see if they can help.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have two 357's but I never load it anymore at the normal 357 velocity. I use the brass and load it for about 800 fps with shotgun powder. Those are known as cowboy loads on the Alliant website. That doesn't solve you problem however.

The only thing you can do is buy another 357 and don't make that fool mistake again.

 

[rkittine]

I stand corrected. I actually knew that about the primers and powder, but meant to only say Brass and Projectiles were Ok through USPS.

Bob

 

[Turn4811]

LOL

I did not have a 357 for 35+ years. But over the years I have acquired about 1200 .357 cases from range pickup and 3 times that of 38spl. I pulled out the old 38/357 dies after I bought a LEO trade-in model 65. I have a 38+p 124gr target load and I am close to getting a 158gr low end 357mag load. After I nail down the 158gr load I will work on a 158 JHP load.

I had forgotten how versatile and fun a 357 can be. The Model 65 will become the "truck gun" once I have the JHP load.

 

[rubiranch]

I wish I lived closer.