reload brass with patina...
- Thread starter biogenic
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Trailduster79
Member
I do. If I threw things away just because they were ugly, I would have nothing left!
I don't let the patina bother me. I have 2000 pieces of winchester brass from 1966. It has patina, it just gives it more class. It is the best 38 brass I have. If my memory serves me right it weighs 40 gr more than any other brass I have.
As long as it is not corrosion, and just tarnish/patina from sitting out in the elements, it will work just fine. I do tend to overlook the very dark brass these days, as I have plenty of the common calibers one finds at the range.
km101
Member
Patina/tarnish is a non-issue as long as there is no corrosion or pitting. If it bothers you, just leave it in the tumbler longer. Otherwise, load it and shoot it.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Green patina is patina.
It is harmless and will easily polish off, unless there is pitting under it after you clean the brass.
Black Patina is an indication the elements leached the zinc out of the cartridge brass leaving it brittle and weaker.
That I don't use.
ESPECIALLY in high pressure rifle calibers!
Take it for what it's worth.
It was free advice, wasn't it.
Rc
It is harmless and will easily polish off, unless there is pitting under it after you clean the brass.
Black Patina is an indication the elements leached the zinc out of the cartridge brass leaving it brittle and weaker.
That I don't use.
ESPECIALLY in high pressure rifle calibers!
Take it for what it's worth.
It was free advice, wasn't it.
Rc
anotherred
Member
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- Nov 1, 2013
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Patina, what patina? Stainless wet tumble 4 hours and your worst brass looks like this and I've started with some really black stuff.
45lcshooter
Member
I shoot my Garand with patina'ed brass, just because it looks cooler. patina brass like all have said, isn't bad. You will just have to make sure its not corroded. Everyone at the one range im a member of leaves their pistol rounds lay, its on the ground, no concrete. even when there was mounds of snow there brass was still on the ground. I went and collected a 5 gallon bucket (before any of the other brass rats could get there) and i have it all drying on a tarp with a fan on it. That brass will be fine.
Salmoneye
Member
I have never tumbled brass, and probably never will...
As long as the cases are in good shape, and have no grit on them, they get processed and loaded...
Shiny is, as shiny does...
lol
As long as the cases are in good shape, and have no grit on them, they get processed and loaded...
Shiny is, as shiny does...
lol
I shoot a lot of it in my .45. I tried using some in .223, but they split after the first or second reload. I probably wouldn't use them in a higher pressure pistol than a .45acp, and I'm not going to use them in rifles anymore.
The're also more difficult to relocate because the dark color blends in with the gravel at my range.
The're also more difficult to relocate because the dark color blends in with the gravel at my range.
I reloaded for years before I felt I could afford a tumbler. As long as the dirt/grit is gone, it's good enough for me. Even now, many years later, I never use polish. Shiny doesn't make it good--clean does.
As others said, pitting means it's time for the trash.
As others said, pitting means it's time for the trash.
kerreckt
Member
That's all I loaded for about 20 years until I got a tumbler.This added another step that can be done away with but is satisfying
BCRider
Member
Patina is corrosion. It's the first step and it's very mild when it's just a light to medium brown. But it's still corrosion.
Jesse Heywood
Member
Heavy Patina on brass is Verdigris
Darkened brass, as long as it is clean is fine to reload. I have some bags of brass that was cleaned and bright and shiny that sat in the garage for a year or more. It is now a slightly darker color.
Darkened brass, as long as it is clean is fine to reload. I have some bags of brass that was cleaned and bright and shiny that sat in the garage for a year or more. It is now a slightly darker color.
Salmoneye
Member
Yup...
Think of a brass Tiffany lamp base, or a Remington bronze...
Green (verdigris) is corrosion, and white is leaching zinc...Neither of which is really desirable on a case...
FROGO207
Member
Like many others I reloaded with tarnished brass for years with no problems other than finding it in the grass/dirt. Now I process it with the SS pins it sticks out like a mirror would. Also the case defects are easier to detect with clean brass. Doesn't shoot any better though.
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