Is this brass?

[ddgarcia05]

Is the one I'm pointing at brass or some other metal?

 

[Steve2md]

it's brass. From now on though, if in doubt, try and stick a magnet to it. if it sticks , it's not brass, and aluminum is easy to spot. I've never seen cartriges made with anything other than brass, aluminum, or steel.

 

[rcmodel]

Why wouldn't it be brass?
Only thing I can see different about it is the neck annealing color has not been polished off.
No other metal shows annealing color like that.

Anyway, The only other thing it could be is steel.
So see if a magnet will stick to it.

BTW: What caliber brass are you asking us to guess about what it's made of without knowing what it is?

rc

 

[WestKentucky]

There are some plastic cases out there too but they are easy to spot. Usually diminution for military war games/training I think. I have seen 5.56 and 9mm.

 

[pitbull23]

Looks like brass to me

 

[ddgarcia05]

308. Thanks guys the color was really throwing me off.

 

[rcmodel]

Just so you know.
All brass is annealed several times between different stages of case forming during manufacture.

The brass work hardens as it is reshaped at each stage, and must be softened again so it won't break or crack.

Most commercial brass is polished after the final case forming to remove the annealing color change and make it shiny brass color again.

Military brass is not, as it is only a cosmetic issue, and mil-spec brass is expected to show final annealing color to insure it won't crack in long-term storage.

In all?
It's a Good Thing to see?

rc

 

[Drail]

"diminution"?

 

[119er]

Drail: I think he meant simunition. Think low power center fire paintball fired from real firearms with special barrels.

There is some brass plated steel cases from what I have seen. Wolf maybe? 99% sure it would be Berdan primed anyway.

 

[noylj]

Of course, the military specifies NOT polishing the annealing color as the case is more resistant to corrosion--for those that love shiny.

 

[KingM]

Of course, the military specifies NOT polishing the annealing color as the case is more resistant to corrosion--for those that love shiny.

True.

As far as I know the military doesn't use that plastic junk. Dad used to have some 38spl with plastic cases. Also don't forget the nickle plated stuff. I have some nickle plated 223 & that stuff goes in the die like you was using a 30-06 die.