August 8, 2010, 09:29 PM | #1 |
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Washing Cartridges
Do you have to wash cartridges that have been fired with black powder in them?
I thoroughly clean my guns after shooting, but usually just throw the brass into the tumbler and when I get a load of brass I turn it on. Today I turned it on and I saw some of the empty cases look as if they have some sort of corrosion on them. The brass is not nice and shiny. I went ahead and resized the brass and it looks good as far as integrity, but the discoloration has me wondering if these were from the black powder. (Goex FFFg)
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August 8, 2010, 10:15 PM | #2 |
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I do a little dishwashing soap & hot water, a good rinse then I set them out to dry and into the tumbler.
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August 8, 2010, 10:17 PM | #3 |
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I don't know if it is required but I do the same thing, hot soapy water. Just a habit.
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August 8, 2010, 10:20 PM | #4 |
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Before I got my ceramic media tumbling setup, I washed my BPCR brass with Dawn dish soap and a testtube brush. They were still tarnished looking, but clean and sound. I still decap at the range and take my empties home in soapy water so the fouling doesn't cake on and start to corrode the brass.
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August 9, 2010, 08:57 AM | #5 |
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The fouling is hygroscopic, which can really contribute to corrosion.
Even a good sluicing with hot water to dissolve the hygroscopic component can be enough.
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August 9, 2010, 08:58 AM | #6 |
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^^What Jim said^^
Before I go shooting, I just put some water and dish soap in a tupperware container and drop the empties in as I shoot. Oh, but I don't decap. I just give it a good shake every so often to get the air bubbles out of the cases.
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August 9, 2010, 06:19 PM | #7 |
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Let's invent a coin operated case washer for firing ranges !
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