Would you call this Corrosion or Tarnish?

[cgs500]

I'm not sure this is were this belongs, so feel free to move it if needed.

I bought 1,000 of DAG (german surplus) .308 from a vendor on another site and in the description it says “Brass Case (May have tarnish on the case)” and they were packed in a US .50 cal ammo can.

I haven’t bought much in the way of loose or opened cases of surplus ammo until this. Is this normal or should I let the vendor know I am not that happy with this. I would say 30% have enough green stuff to need cleaned before I would put it in my chamber, some I may not even fire.

Personally I think of tarnish as a discoloration and corrosion the deterioration of metal. I think the later is the case here.

I pulled these off the top of the first ammo can I opened








Am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill?

BTW: I have NOT contacted the vendor yet. I was waiting to see if this is the norm now with the ammo suppy the way it has been.

Thanks,

cgs500

 

[Jason_G]

If the cases are pitted or weakened in any way, get your money back. If the patina rubs off with steel wool and no pitting is there, then I would think it would be fine.

Jason

 

[PT1911]

I call that corrosion.... if the case becomes abraisive, it is corrosion, tarnish can typically be removed without damaging the case... this is a general statement but I am quite sure it is 100% correct in your situation. I wouldnt be very happy with it.

 

[cgs500]

Here is a pic after cleaning it up with a Chore Boy. This is one of the worst that I would clean, I left the really bad ones alone.

The tarnish has eaten into whatever the fourth layer is. Through the brass, the brown, the copper colored and into the silver layer.



I will contact him in the am and see what he says.

 

[TDR911]

By the looks of the pic there is erosion and deep pitting. This weakens the case and a potenial danger. I would contact him.
Tarnish is no real problem.

 

[rcmodel]

The tarnish has eaten into whatever the fourth layer is.

If it is a brass case, there is no "layer" of anything.

Cartridge brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc alloy, uniform throughout.
There are no "layers".

Anyway, it has leached the zinc out of the brass, (Black spots) and eaten into the case itself. (Corrosion)

With that said, if you don't want the brass for reloading, all but those with deep corrosion near the case head are safe to clean up and shoot.

Those with deep corrosion within an inch of the case head should be discarded.

In general though, you bought the ammo with the understanding they were tarnished.

This is much worse then that!

rc

 

[cgs500]

Quick Update!!! Good exprience with Vendor

Good News!!!!

Just talked with the vendor and even with my poor first experience with this particular product, I would deal with him again. They buy in large lots, open a few cans and describe what they view. They are willing to issue a call tag and give me a full refund.

Great customer Service!!!

 

[lipadj46]

That DAG is some nasty stuff and it is some serious corrosion not tarnish. It was packed in acidic cardboard boxes in the battlepacks and was the reason it was surplused off by the Germans. Honestly you are better off with the Radway Green that is available these days over the DAG.

 

[Water Garden]

I would not shoot that stuff.

 

[gary vale]

I agree...toss them out. You can clean the outsides to look better, but those cartridge's have been weakened up.