Is this brass okay to use or ready for the trash?

Fusion · March 28, 2011, 10:57 AM

I visited a public range today for the first time in quite a while. I laying on the ground was some .243 brass. This intrigued my interest since .243 is one of the calibers I reload. Now, the problem is, they have been laying the grass and got snowed on top of. So obviously they are wet, but other than that appearance wise are fine, with no discoloration yet. Are these safe to just dry out and use, or should I toss them?

dahermit · March 28, 2011, 11:18 AM

Let them dry, no added heat. Tumble them...they should be o.k.

Smokey Joe · March 28, 2011, 12:08 PM

+1 on go ahead and use the brass! You lucked out, Fusion--In my neck of the woods, .243 Win brass is not too common lying on the ground @ the range.

Excessive heat harms brass (softens it.) The cold of a little snow should have no effect whatsoever. Brass gets that cold, right in a rifle's magazine, in the northern states in winter when it is taken hunting and kept out all day.

Bottom line: Dry 'em, load 'em, shoot 'em. Repeat as necessary.

March 28, 2011, 10:57 AM	#1
Fusion Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2010 Posts: 429	Is this brass okay to use or ready for the trash? I visited a public range today for the first time in quite a while. I laying on the ground was some .243 brass. This intrigued my interest since .243 is one of the calibers I reload. Now, the problem is, they have been laying the grass and got snowed on top of. So obviously they are wet, but other than that appearance wise are fine, with no discoloration yet. Are these safe to just dry out and use, or should I toss them?

March 28, 2011, 12:08 PM	#3
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	.243 Brass... +1 on go ahead and use the brass! You lucked out, Fusion--In my neck of the woods, .243 Win brass is not too common lying on the ground @ the range. Excessive heat harms brass (softens it.) The cold of a little snow should have no effect whatsoever. Brass gets that cold, right in a rifle's magazine, in the northern states in winter when it is taken hunting and kept out all day. Bottom line: Dry 'em, load 'em, shoot 'em. Repeat as necessary. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

March 28, 2011, 11:18 AM	#2
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Let them dry, no added heat. Tumble them...they should be o.k.