Loading Tarnished/Corroded Brass

[GunAdmirer]

I have some once fired tarnished or lightly corroded 9mm Federal brass that I've tumbled. Some tarnish/corrosion spots are large but don't seem deep. I plan to load it up with some light loads for lost brass matches.

Any problem?

 

[Randy1911]

The tarniwhed brass should be fine. Don't know about the corrided brass.

 

[rondog]

I've cleaned up a LOT of brass like this, and you can't tell it from cleaned up once-fired stuff. Just depends on how persistant/cheap/anal you are.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Wow! The brass I have isn't nearly that bad. Corrosion is minimal, mainly tarnish.

I just wondered if the tarnish and light corrosion would weaken the brass.

I am anal.

 

[NCsmitty]

If the brass is pitted, I would discard it.

NCsmitty

 

[243winxb]

Ammonia is formed in nature in wet areas of grass/weeds over time from decomposing. When the brass is cleaned and you see pink areas, this is where the ammonia came in contact with the brass. Ammonia makes brass brittle and weak.

Natural occurrence

Ammonia is found in small quantities in the atmosphere, being produced from the putrefaction of nitrogenous animal and vegetable matter. Ammonia and ammonium salts are also found in small quantities in rainwater, whereas ammonium chloride (sal-ammoniac), and ammonium sulfate are found in volcanic districts; crystals of ammonium bicarbonate have been found in Patagonian guano. The kidneys secrete NH3 to neutralize excess acid.[7] Ammonium salts also are found distributed through all fertile soil and in seawater. Substances containing ammonia, or those that are similar to it, are called ammoniacal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia Another thread on cleaning here> http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=417310

 

[PO2Hammer]

I have some 15 year old Federal .357 magnum brass with a nice patina, but there are no suface defects, just staining.

As long as the surface is smooth, they should be fine. If there are pits in the surface, I would discard them.

I think removing tarnish chemically would weaken the brass more than leaving it alone.

 

[evan price]

Rondog, there's maybe 6 pieces in that pile I would bother to tumble. The rest would go right in the scrap bucket.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Black or pink spots after tumbling indicates the zink has been leached out of the brass and has weakened it.

Might not be a problem at the mouth end, but any near the head are not safe and should be discarded.

This is especially true with rifle brass.

rc

 

[rondog]

Rondog, there's maybe 6 pieces in that pile I would bother to tumble. The rest would go right in the scrap bucket.

They seem to work fine for me. I soak 'em in Iosso, wash in soapy hot water and rinse, then tumble as usual after they're dry. Look just like all the rest.

 

[softail99]

OK Time for a reality CK

OK guys, I've been reloading everything from small auto pistol rounds to large rifle for over 30 years. Even had my years at turn in competitions of about every area of interest and, I've used mostly Brasso for cleaning and I have NEVER HAD 1 PIECE fail because of it's use. Your brass is NEVER going to last long enough for any ammonia problem to occur. It would take dozens of cleanings for any attack to effect it.

I read this puritan positions that everyone MUST pay through the nose for components, supplies, dies to have ammo that will kick ass.

Trust me readers NOT SO! IF you are careful with using only BRASS WITHIN tolerances, (i use a run out meter on every rifle round i load) match bullets, good powder, consistency and do your research on what load works for your gun, you will have as accurate a round as you can get whether you use Brasso or high end cleaners.

Try it and see for your self.

Just my many decades of experience with plinking and benchrest shooting.

Good luck!

 

[Walkalong]

There are more than 6 good pieces of brass in that pic. That pic is typical of brass left laying around in water. It does need a thorough inspection before and after tumbling.

I have enough that I don't pick up brass that looks like that.

I won't use anything with ammonia in it, despite folks who get away with it.

Black or pink spots after tumbling indicates the zink has been leached out of the brass

I agree with the pink, but am not so sure about the black spots. Brass will get that way just from laying out in the rain and sun. I guess it is a fine line between tarnish and other problems.

 

[stonehenge69]

Make up a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, add a little Dawn dishwater soap and a couple tbl spoons of salt.
Soak for about an hour (agitate it occasionally) or until the tarnish comes off when you touch it.
Rinse and let dry.
Tumble over night in corn cob with a little Nu-Finish car polish.

It'll come out looking like jewelry.

I've got over 10,000 pieces that looked as bad or worse than the above pic to back it up.
Never had a problem with any of it.

YMMV.




Trey

 

[GunAdmirer]

Thanks for the replies. I discarded anything that was questionable. All that is left is brass that has brown spots but looks good otherwise. I plan to load 'em up for light or midrange loads for lost brass matches.

Are the brown spots a problem or just surface tarnish? Does tarnish weaken the brass? I'm sure the white/green corrosion is a problem.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Does tarnish weaken brass? Anybody know for sure? Thanks.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I loaded up the slightly tarnished (in spots) and sometimes very lightly corroded brass with a medium load and fired them today. Brass showed no sign of weakness. I'll recycle them now and not reuse them.

 

[NotSoFast]

If they showed no signs of weakness, why recycle them? Reuse them until you do see signs of failure. Just my opinion though, for what it's worth.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I don't like to press my luck.