Collected Brass - Store it clean or dirty?
- Thread starter Toforo
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Not sure what you mean? My ammo is still dandy looking on the outside. I don't (or haven't) worried about the soot left inside the case.
There were a few cases (.30-06) that I hand polished to a luster last year. They were pretty and all, but they didn't shoot any differently.
TheCracker
Member
I say clean it so it's ready to load when you need it. Make sure to wear latex gloves when you are getting it out of the tumbler ESP if it may not be used for some time. You want to keep oils from your skin off so it stays shiny and doesn't corrode.
MATT .45-70
Member
that soot inside your cases is being put into your gun everytime you pull the trigger. That means your barrel is getting dirtier faster, and your guns mechanism is being exposed to extra filth which leads to premature wear and shorter life of the firearm.
If you want your guns to stay clean and hold value you cant put dirt in them.
Also your dies suffer and how can you expect to load quality ammunition with your essential tools not in top shape.
You dont clean brass just for looks
If you want your guns to stay clean and hold value you cant put dirt in them.
Also your dies suffer and how can you expect to load quality ammunition with your essential tools not in top shape.
You dont clean brass just for looks
jcwit
member
Like stated, its up to you, sorta easy to understand I thought.
The rest should be self explanatory.
jcwit
member
On another forum there's a thread about cleaning badly stained/tarnished brass using a product similar to CRL stain remover. Looks like it works very well and it does clean the inside of the case also.
Haha, oy... I guess if soot is so evil, then we shouldn't be using "dirty" powders, or use ammo with dirty burning characteristics. (Winchester, Remington, Aguila, and others come to mind.) But the fact is that all powders produce some solid by-products when they are burned. No matter how immaculate a case may be before firing, when the powder charge gets burned, a whole new batch of soot will be formed along with the hot, expanding gases. Most of the soot (solids) gets blown out with the projectile. If any of you folks are afraid that increasing the quantity of soot involved will cause dire consequences, then by all means, clean away. Heck, swab the gun after every firing, I promise I won't feel a thing!
If you mean real dirt, as in soil (a combination of sand, silt, clay and organic matter), I agree, that is an issue. An issue that a good rinse in warm water (Dawn may help, but even plain water works) or a wipe with a good cloth is very good at rectifying. Real soil particles are small and have abrasive properties. Silicon dioxide in particular. (Sand or silt from weathered quartz is not a desirable lubricant for your firearm.
)Same deal here... I could see the dies suffering from soil particles, but not soot. And again, I rinse off brass with dirt, or at the very least wipe each case with a rag.
Just for grins, I cracked open the Sierra 5th Ed. to see what their thoughts are on the subject. The opening line begins... "Although not absolutely essential..." On pg 123 for those that have one or care to look. The Section is headed "Tumblers and Polishers". To summarize, they can be a good thing, but aren't necessary.
They mention surface grit, and that, for example, wiping off cases with a rag can increase the life of the sizing die. (Tumbling is also of course mentioned as a way to remove surface grit.)
They do recommend tumbling briefly after sizing, as it can help remove lubricant applied before sizing. Obviously this isn't much of an issue if no lube is used, as in with carbide dies. Although again, they say that a wipe with a rag will also work.
I'm not saying that you can't or shouldn't tumble or vibe your brass. I'm just saying that I don't, and that I'm not the only one who realizes it isn't a necessity.
All this being said, when I got home with my last batch of range brass, it was dirty. Actually had some soil stuck to the outside. It all got a nice warm bath before it got sorted and stashed.
Happy shooting folks.
Miata Mike
Member
I shot up a few hundred rounds this afternoon, and felt the need to sort and
tumble th as soon as I got home. Primed a bunch of the 9mm while the .40 S&W was tumbling. My 9mm got real sooty due to a light load of Bullseye I have been shooting.
I think I will follow the advice to wear latex gloves when handling the cases. Seeing all the shiny cartridges is nice. I don't spend a lot of energy cleaning and don't over do it, but I think it will help the dies in the long run.
tumble th as soon as I got home. Primed a bunch of the 9mm while the .40 S&W was tumbling. My 9mm got real sooty due to a light load of Bullseye I have been shooting.
I think I will follow the advice to wear latex gloves when handling the cases.
Seeing all the shiny cartridges is nice. I don't spend a lot of energy cleaning and don't over do it, but I think it will help the dies in the long run."I would probably just for the sake of organization tumble it all now and just store it air tight like you said till your ready to load it. It is also a more effecient way of handling it all, and that will just mean you wont have to do any tumbling for a while, and be able to load more rounds faster. just my opinion though
I find adding a little bit of brasso to the media helps polish them up real nice if your using corn cob, or you can buy the actual polishing stuff i think it costs a bit more though."
I heard that Brasso contains ammonia and could weaken the brass. I use Nu Finish!
I find adding a little bit of brasso to the media helps polish them up real nice if your using corn cob, or you can buy the actual polishing stuff i think it costs a bit more though."
I heard that Brasso contains ammonia and could weaken the brass. I use Nu Finish!
jcwit
member
The ammonia will evaporate out of the media and create no problem actually.
But then why not just use Nu-Finish to start with or any other liquid auto polish?
But then why not just use Nu-Finish to start with or any other liquid auto polish?
MATT .45-70
Member
really? thanks flea7 I actually never checked it before. thanks for the heads up, I think ill be switching to the nu finish then
Tusker10mm
Member
Having had a source for brass for several years before H&K moved out of Sterling VA. I clean ALL brass before storing. Dirty brass just will get worse. Once clean, and once polished, I store in plastic buckest, with a LID-- from cat litter, food, etc. We are talking 4 1/2 gallon buckets here. Also small plastic sugar containes work for bullets bought in bulk, kept in plastic bags, or the newer plastic coffee cans.
I always wash my range brass off. Then dry in the oven. Run it in the tumbler for about 30 mins. I then give them a good visual inspection. Then decap and resize and store.
When I get some time I run the brass through my ultrasonic cleaner. I then dry them in the oven and tumble to a nice polish. They are then ready for reloading or long term storage.
I want my brass in pristine condition. Seeing that I don't have money more times than not in my brass. It does deserve my attention and time to make sure it is in good shape and clean.
When I get some time I run the brass through my ultrasonic cleaner. I then dry them in the oven and tumble to a nice polish. They are then ready for reloading or long term storage.
I want my brass in pristine condition. Seeing that I don't have money more times than not in my brass. It does deserve my attention and time to make sure it is in good shape and clean.
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