Uses for empty .22 shells of varying lengths???

[LBR]

I don't like just tossing the empty shells into the bin at the range. The empty brass goes to a reloader. Don't know if they melt it down and make new cases, or save the .22s and turn them in for cash (which is a mere pittance). (For those who don't know, .22 shells aren't reloaded.)

I don't want jewelry, any "art", etc., from them.

Would like to use them for something practical. Doesn't seem right to leave something I've paid for. I use shorts, longs, long rifles, and some that are a tad shorter than longs.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Millymollymandy]

I could think of some jolly good uses for them to use on the hunters in France but you wouldn't like them......

[LBR]

MMM, it'd be expensive to mail them to you.

[Thomzo]

I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue what they look like or how big they are so can't help at all. Could you post a picture? Then I could have a think.

Cheers
Zoe

[LBR]

Here's a link to a kerchief clasp as a Boy Scouts' project: http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/found/22.html

After the bullet has been fired, the part that is left is empty. It's just a little tub with a bottom rim that sticks out a bit from the cylindrical part.

Here's a link which has a photo of .22 Long Rifle bullets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Long_Rifle

I also shoot shorter ones. So the empty brass cartridges are of varying length, from say 1/2 inch to an inch. (Haven't measured them exactly.)

I'd only get $1.70 per pound for selling them. That'd take thousands.

I can't think of anything they'd be useful for. The Boy Scouts make their doodads from shells they've shot.

Thanks for giving it a think.

[invisiblepiper]

Take up archery? The arrows recycle completely.

[LBR]

Tee hee, no chance. I love my Winchesters.

I really would like to find a use for the little shells. Someone with the equipment could melt the brass and make something out of them.

[Rod in Japan]

The only thing I could think of was something like an insect box:



But it probably wouldn't work, and you can only use so many insect boxes.

Best to admit defeat and have them recycled, comforting yourself with the thought that in many cases, packaging is more valuable as a resource than what it contains, although we rarely notice it.

May I just add ... those Boy Scout creations are utterly grotesque. Never could understand the Scouts...

[LBR]

Rod, that's a new one to me. What's an insect box?

I agree about the Boy Scout project. It is quite unattractive.

I'm guessing I'll save the shells for a while, see how long it takes to save a few pounds to get a couple of dollars for them. Or I'll give them to someone who'll melt them down. After too much messing around with them, I'll probably start putting them in the bins at the range again, as I have been. It's just that it's good money going into someone else's pockets.

[Clara]

Perhaps you might get a few people together to suggest that any proceeds go to a good cause......hit em hard.....children's charity perhaps

[LBR]

Clara, it's a kind thought to think of charity, but the gross take will be $1.25 for a pound, I've since found out. I'm simply asking for my own use. I have no intention of "hitting anyone hard". I shoot at an indoor range at paper targets. I'm the only one who shoots .22s. I collect my own empty shells. It's not a place where folks talk. Everyone is wearing serious hearing protection and concentrating on improving his or her accuracy, and being a safe shooter. Each shooter is in his own "lane". It's not really an atmosphere of socializing.

To reckon it out, it takes thousands of shells to make a pound. That takes a year to collect. To save the shells, with poisonous lead dust on them, and drive to a place that gives money for brass, and get $1.25 is hardly worth a charity drive. It won't even pay for the gasoline/petrol to get the money for the shells.

It's either find a way to save them safely, or use them for something practical, or let the reloaders have the money by tossing them in the bin with the other shells.

[invisiblepiper]

As its reloaders and not freeloaders who get them - is that so bad? It doesn't sound like the greatest of jobs - and with volume of cartridges may provide a perk? (please note that I know nothing about this topic!!)
If transport /costs prohibit charitable recycling - then better that the cartridges are recycled anyway.

Hmmm or take up plumbing for dolls houses?

Never could understand the Scouts...
The only thing I could think of was something like an insect box:

[img]May I just add ... those Boy Scout creations are utterly grotesque. Never could understand the Scouts...

Yes the creations were gross Rod - but the scouts are invaluable in this cynical society

[Sky]

I've been saving ours to try to make a bead string curtain out of.
Or I thought they'd make fab dolls house bed head post tops or coffee table legs or brass tumbler glasses for the dolls house.
Or I even thought of stringing them together and making a necklace out of them.

[Rod in Japan]

Rod, that's a new one to me. What's an insect box?

It's like a birdhouse but for insects. Apparently, beneficial varieties of bees and wasps set up shop in them and help to pollinate and debug your garden. (Whether different species would be happy to cohabit is a point of some doubt in my mind). But I think the insects would probably not like metal that much, nor lead, which I had not taken into account at all.

I used to enjoy .22 plinking best of all when I was in the OTC at university. I remember thinking about what could be done with empties, and after having them lying around in my room for a while and occasionally standing on them in the dark with bare feet, I concluded that they were probably best recycled as shell cases.

[Thomzo]

Hi
Still can't quite work out the dimensions but what about:

1) miniature vase for dried flowers (as part of a larger display perhaps)
2) candle holder - if you can find a candle that'll fit. If you can't then make one.
3) Can you cut the bottom off? If so could you push the ends of a scarf through to make a scarf pin?
4) If you cut the bottom off you could flatten them. I'm not quite sure how that would help so will keep thinking.
4a) Just thought, you could then use them on greetings cards
5) Can toppers for the garden.
6) If you cut the bottom off and then split them open you'd have a rectangle of brass which could be far more useful. Use a nail to emboss plant names on and use in the garden.
7) The scouts scarf toggle thingy gave me an idea. What about gluing a load together and using them to stand pens or paint brushes in. It's always useful to stand paintbrushes up as they dry.

Cheers
Zoe