Is this bad? Brass question...

woodland · February 9, 2005, 11:52 PM

Hi. I am VERY new to reloading. Have had the stuff for a few years, but no room to set it all up. So, I just got it set up, and have cleaning brass. I did a bunch of 30/06 brass, and a few of them had this corrosion, or whatever it is on them. These have been in the tumbler for probably a couple hours. All the rest of it looks great. Just not sure if this is just cosmetic or if it will affect them structuraly (sp?). They feel smooth if you run a finger nail over the spots. Doesn't feel pitted or anything.
Thanks for your time guys!

WIL TERRY · February 10, 2005, 12:00 AM

I personally would not use that brass. Very good new brass is not all that expensive. Always keep in mind that is your very personal fingers and face are right beside the rifle you are shooting and the ENTIRE firing sequence is contained by a gasket called a CARTRIDGE CASE. It ain't worth the chance IMHO.

impact · February 10, 2005, 12:05 AM

Yah chunck it. Is that brass you found on the ground or did you use a presoak before the tumbler?

woodland · February 10, 2005, 12:49 AM

It is brass that I have been saving for years. It is all once fired brass that I have shot in my rifle over the years. No, I didn't use any precleaner, just run through the tumbler.
Thanks for the wisdom. I was inclined to just toss it. After all, what's a half dozen rounds, compared to my face and fingers? Didn't look "normal" to me.

BigSlick · February 10, 2005, 12:49 AM

Toss it.

BigSlick

Ackley Improved User · February 10, 2005, 03:46 AM

Does the discoloration come off with steel wool?

mete · February 10, 2005, 05:39 AM

That's the right question, does it come off with steel wool .If so it should be all right.

woodland · February 10, 2005, 12:00 PM

I'll try that and see. I am guessing it will, as like I said, it feels smooth, with no pitting, when you scrape across it with your nail.

Ozzieman · February 10, 2005, 12:23 PM

I had the same problem long time ago. The work that I do, I have dessecant cristal bags that are normaly thrown away. I put them in an oven for several hours at 200 deg and dry them out, then put several in the sealed plastic bags I use for storage.
Stopped the problem.

woodland · February 10, 2005, 03:12 PM

Yeah. I tossed them. I think they were probably some that I shot in winter, and they were probably wet when I picked them up and they didn't get dry all the way.

February 9, 2005, 11:52 PM	#1
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	Is this bad? Brass question... Hi. I am VERY new to reloading. Have had the stuff for a few years, but no room to set it all up. So, I just got it set up, and have cleaning brass. I did a bunch of 30/06 brass, and a few of them had this corrosion, or whatever it is on them. These have been in the tumbler for probably a couple hours. All the rest of it looks great. Just not sure if this is just cosmetic or if it will affect them structuraly (sp?). They feel smooth if you run a finger nail over the spots. Doesn't feel pitted or anything. Thanks for your time guys! __________________ "There is no spoon..."

February 10, 2005, 12:00 AM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	That Is Classic Brass Corrosion. I Think It Has Something To Do With Zinc Migration. I personally would not use that brass. Very good new brass is not all that expensive. Always keep in mind that is your very personal fingers and face are right beside the rifle you are shooting and the ENTIRE firing sequence is contained by a gasket called a CARTRIDGE CASE. It ain't worth the chance IMHO.

February 10, 2005, 12:49 AM	#4
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	It is brass that I have been saving for years. It is all once fired brass that I have shot in my rifle over the years. No, I didn't use any precleaner, just run through the tumbler. Thanks for the wisdom. I was inclined to just toss it. After all, what's a half dozen rounds, compared to my face and fingers? Didn't look "normal" to me. __________________ "There is no spoon..."

February 10, 2005, 12:00 PM	#8
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	I'll try that and see. I am guessing it will, as like I said, it feels smooth, with no pitting, when you scrape across it with your nail. __________________ "There is no spoon..."

February 10, 2005, 12:23 PM	#9
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Throw it away. I had the same problem long time ago. The work that I do, I have dessecant cristal bags that are normaly thrown away. I put them in an oven for several hours at 200 deg and dry them out, then put several in the sealed plastic bags I use for storage. Stopped the problem.

February 10, 2005, 12:05 AM	#3
impact Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: the great state of Texas Posts: 854	Yah chunck it. Is that brass you found on the ground or did you use a presoak before the tumbler?

February 10, 2005, 12:49 AM	#5
BigSlick Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Texas of course Posts: 277	Toss it. BigSlick

February 10, 2005, 03:46 AM	#6
Ackley Improved User Member Join Date: January 31, 2005 Posts: 56	Does the discoloration come off with steel wool?

February 10, 2005, 05:39 AM	#7
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	That's the right question, does it come off with steel wool .If so it should be all right.

February 10, 2005, 03:12 PM	#10
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	Yeah. I tossed them. I think they were probably some that I shot in winter, and they were probably wet when I picked them up and they didn't get dry all the way. __________________ "There is no spoon..."