For Brass, How Old Is Too Old?

[PCCUSNRET]

I purchased some 30 carbine brass from a fellow off the trading post the other day and when it arrived found it to be dated from the early 50's (some a year older than me ;-). I plan to reload this brass for a Ruger Black Hawk so just curious if brass weakens any with age.

 

[jcwit]

You're good to go if it looks OK! Might be a little tarnish tho.

 

[EddieNFL]

I've used '06 brass headstamped in the late '40s.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Thanks! I forgot to mention it is WCC brass. It cleaned up pretty good after tumbling for a few hours in walnut.

 

[tekarra]

About the only thing that will damage brass is ammonia. Polish it up and look for cracks and bulges and if you don't find any, you are good to go.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Older brass may become brittle.

 

[snuffy]

Older brass may become brittle.

Only if it was stored open to something containing ammonia. If it was stored in a horse barn, it would be brass DUST!... Or crumbles! Horse urine has lots of ammonia in it.

Brass does not AGE. By that I mean go bad or become unusable.

 

[ranger335v]

Cases don't dry rot, use it. Amuses me that for many people the starting definition of "old" is anything before they were born.

 

[RandyP]

I REFUSE to use all 175 year old brass cases purely on principle - lol

 

[Slamfire]

Only if it was stored open to something containing ammonia. If it was stored in a horse barn, it would be brass DUST!... Or crumbles! Horse urine has lots of ammonia in it.

Really old brass, I think mid 50's or earlier might have mercuric primers. I heard that caused brass inbrittlement. Not having any mercuric primers, I can't test the warnings.

I have been using RA54 brass for almost 20 years. I bought this primed brass in the 80's, about 700 cases, I shoot through the can when I shoot my match grade Garand at highpower rifle matches. I guess I have about five reloads on the stuff. It is still good, no case neck cracks.

Don't let bird's poop on your brass. I have a failure analysis book, bird poop caused season cracking on a brass boat prop. One blade fell off.

An interesting read on the problems ammonia will cause with brass.

www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/stress.pdf

 

[gamestalker]

If it isn't seriously pitted or erroded there is nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure it isn't in erroded condition. If in doubt about it's condition use a paper clip or simular type of wire and carefully check the inside for spots that catch on the wire, this could indicate a separation beginning from a previous reloader who exausted it's life span.

 

[ranger335v]

Randy: "I REFUSE to use all 175 year old brass cases purely on principle - lol"

That's a reasonable position, hold on to it!

Our military arsenals quit making mercuric primers about 1920. Commercial makers seem to have changed about that time too.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a pair of Ruger 30 CARB Black Hawks and use a pile of WWII dated brass to shoot them with in Cowboy Action Matches. I use MB 115 grain Carbine bullets and Trail Boss (.5cc) that has them shooting about the same as 32 S&W long loads. The brass have about 40 reloads on them so far and are still going strong. I doubt that the straight walled brass will be a problem. I would load em up.

I remember reading that the 30 Carbine was designed for non corrosive ammunition and that was all that was ever available for it.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Thanks! I appreciate the help.

 

[GaryL]

I reload a few hundred WWII 45acp cases on a regular basis.

I do have a handful of 45-70 balloon head cases though - they are too old to reload.

 

[Cherokee]

30 Carb was never corrosive. I'm still reloading LC52 brass I acquired back in early 60's for my Carbines and Rugers.

 

[DoubleSawbuck]

I have some older 45ACP brass that my grandfather reloaded that I'm still using. Most is old "western" or "rem-umc" but some are old military cases. Just keep an eye out for any cracks.

 

[GaryL]

I have a bunch of that RA 41. Neck tension is bad. But the MB 200gr IDP #4 works perfectly with them.