Gone before the year ends..

[Dextrous63]

Is that a truncheon you've got hanging there Klondy ? 

He's just pleased to see us. 

[klondike]

No it's a magnetic stick for picking up ejected cartridge cases. 

With some shotguns you press a catch to allow the barrels to drop down and you can hold a hand over it, take the cases as they are ejected and dump them in the bin. With semi auto shotguns the spent case flies out the side and a fresh cartridge gets loaded as they are fired. Similar for pump shotguns which few use - they eject spent cases as you rack a slide back and forth - something you must have seen done in films. 

Clay grounds like people to collect cases up and put them in a bin and that's easy with one of those sticks. Toffs who go pheasant and grouse shooting have oiks to do the picking up. I expect they use sticks but have never done that type of shooting.

[Michael Rolls]

Every firearm that I have ever used, 303, .22 LR, 12 bore, used brass cases in whole or partially. Didn't realise a magnet could pick them up

[klondike]

Shotgun cartridges have a plastic case with a steel end cap that carries the primer. They are often coloured like brass. You are correct about brass. All rifle cartridges that I've seen are brass and not magnetic. 

The stick can hold a dozen or so in a big bunch around the bottom. All you need do is tap down on the metal end of one on the ground

[Michael Rolls]

Only fired a 12 bore a few times, belonged to a farmer friend. Didn't realise that the base only looked like brass. Presumably a guard against rust

[klondike]

Some just look like tinplate.i don't know why either type are constructed like they are but the phrase you sometimes hear in crime films "picked up his brass" is 100% accurate. 

September 16, 2025, 06:38:04 AM
Back end of a long answer from AI

In essence, brass is chosen for bullet casings because it's highly effective at managing the extreme pressures of rifle and pistol cartridges and allows for reliable reloading. Plastic and steel/brass bases are suitable for shotgun shells due to their lower operating pressures, allowing for more economical and durable manufacturing.

[Dextrous63]

Are you two sure about the wisdom of discusssing firearms and bullets on a thread about Starmer not being around after Christmas?

Just sayin'

[klondike]

You sort of started it iirc

Could I suggest you don't hang out under a pop up gazebo for a while?  Farmers tend to have guns 😬🥴

[Dextrous63]

You sort of started it iirc

Don't you dare say I planted the seed in your heads.  I ain't carrying the can for that 😬😬😬

[Michael Rolls]

Are you two sure about the wisdom of discusssing firearms and bullets on a thread about Starmer not being around after Christmas?

Just sayin'

[Scrumpy]