Brass, and its properties...

Yoosta B. Blue · April 3, 2008, 05:33 AM

I haven't yet gotten a tumbler (been washing my brass with some store-bought cleaner) and just had an idea.

Would it hurt anything to simply soak brass for a day or two in soapy water in a bucket? (This cleaner stuff I'm using says to leave the brass in the warm solution for only three minutes and then rinse.) Anyway, just thought I'd ask if there would be a "downside" to soaking it in soapy water for a while... Thanks!

Yoosta

mniesen89 · April 3, 2008, 06:02 AM

after I lube my rifle cases I always wash mine...it wont hurt it.

Linear Thinker · April 3, 2008, 08:19 AM

There's no downside to soaking the brass, unless you use an acid-based cleaner. Some "Brass Cleaners" use phosphoric acid, and will etch the brass badly if applied for longer than a few minutes. Hot soapy water will not hurt the brass, but you will get a bit of tarnish if you leave it in for more than a few days. This won't harm the brass, but will make it unsightly.

My procedure for range pickup rifle brass:
1. Ultrasonically clean for 15 min. in hot soapy water (Simple Green works for me) to get the range crud off.
2. Resize, deprime, trim, ream the primer pocket.
3. Tumble in corn-cob with jewelers rouge compound
4. Ultrasonically clean again, to get the abrasive compound off the brass.
The brass comes out shiny and beautiful - ready to load.

For pistol brass, I ultrasonically clean it only once to get the crud off.
I think it's important to clean the brass thoroughly. You will then be able to see the impending case-head separations, split necks, split shoulders etc.

LT

Alleykat · April 3, 2008, 08:33 AM

Buy a tumbler. If you can't afford a $40 tumbler, you probably can't afford to shoot.

mniesen89 · April 3, 2008, 08:39 AM

+1 for alleykat, tumbler is a must!

Yoosta B. Blue · April 3, 2008, 08:41 AM

Alleykat... er, um, <gasp>, <choke>, ahem! Don't tell anyone, but rumor has it that a tumbler is in the works as an upcoming Father's Day present.

YBB

velocette · April 3, 2008, 11:41 AM

One thing for certain. Do not use any cleaner, detergent, etc that contains ammonia. It will attack the brass and cause it to become brittle. Brass affected by ammonia will develop neck cracks while in storage or when worked through the rifles action. Your really don't want that to happen.

Roger

45Marlin carbine · April 3, 2008, 12:01 PM

I always wash brass before tumbling and after lubing/sizing. and dry atop water heater.

April 3, 2008, 05:33 AM	#1
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	Brass, and its properties... I haven't yet gotten a tumbler (been washing my brass with some store-bought cleaner) and just had an idea. Would it hurt anything to simply soak brass for a day or two in soapy water in a bucket? (This cleaner stuff I'm using says to leave the brass in the warm solution for only three minutes and then rinse.) Anyway, just thought I'd ask if there would be a "downside" to soaking it in soapy water for a while... Thanks! Yoosta

April 3, 2008, 08:19 AM	#3
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	There's no downside to soaking the brass, unless you use an acid-based cleaner. Some "Brass Cleaners" use phosphoric acid, and will etch the brass badly if applied for longer than a few minutes. Hot soapy water will not hurt the brass, but you will get a bit of tarnish if you leave it in for more than a few days. This won't harm the brass, but will make it unsightly. My procedure for range pickup rifle brass: 1. Ultrasonically clean for 15 min. in hot soapy water (Simple Green works for me) to get the range crud off. 2. Resize, deprime, trim, ream the primer pocket. 3. Tumble in corn-cob with jewelers rouge compound 4. Ultrasonically clean again, to get the abrasive compound off the brass. The brass comes out shiny and beautiful - ready to load. For pistol brass, I ultrasonically clean it only once to get the crud off. I think it's important to clean the brass thoroughly. You will then be able to see the impending case-head separations, split necks, split shoulders etc. LT Last edited by Linear Thinker; April 3, 2008 at 10:26 PM.

April 3, 2008, 11:41 AM	#7
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	One thing for certain. Do not use any cleaner, detergent, etc that contains ammonia. It will attack the brass and cause it to become brittle. Brass affected by ammonia will develop neck cracks while in storage or when worked through the rifles action. Your really don't want that to happen. Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

April 3, 2008, 06:02 AM	#2
mniesen89 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: deland,fl Posts: 238	after I lube my rifle cases I always wash mine...it wont hurt it.

April 3, 2008, 08:33 AM	#4
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	Buy a tumbler. If you can't afford a $40 tumbler, you probably can't afford to shoot.

April 3, 2008, 08:39 AM	#5
mniesen89 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: deland,fl Posts: 238	+1 for alleykat, tumbler is a must!

April 3, 2008, 08:41 AM	#6
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	Alleykat... er, um, <gasp>, <choke>, ahem! Don't tell anyone, but rumor has it that a tumbler is in the works as an upcoming Father's Day present. YBB

April 3, 2008, 12:01 PM	#8
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	I always wash brass before tumbling and after lubing/sizing. and dry atop water heater.