Ammo corroding simply from being chambered

Zedbra

Zedbra

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Got back from my hunting trip which we were skunked on for immature moose and a buck mulie, and was putting away my rifles and mags when I noticed that two of my rounds, which had been chambered but not fired, are now corroded. What would cause this to happen? Also, what should I do to properly clean these rounds?

Brass - Norma
150g bullet - Berger
160g bullet - Nosler Partition (lead tipped round)
Rifle - stainless Steyr Pro Hunter .270

I tried to Google this but when you type in corroded ammo, it brings up tonnes of surplus threads and info. I did see a mention of perhaps using Hoppes #9 solvent (which I did use) may be the culprit, but I had fired other rounds down the tube prior to these cartridges being chambered (and one only briefly). Weather was cold and wet, it did snow - but no other rounds have this green corrosion other than these two that were chambered.

Thanks gents.

Ian



 
oxidized copper

Oxidation of Copper and Changing of ColorOxidation is a phenomenon, whereby an element loses electrons (and/or hydrogen) on interacting with another element. Similar to iron and aluminum, the element copper undergoes the process of oxidation, if it is exposed to air. If the atmosphere consists of high humidity moisture, then this process is faster. The copper metal reacts with oxygen, resulting in the formation of an outer layer of copper oxide, which appears green or bluish-green in color. This layer is known as the patina.

Unlike other destructive oxidation processes, the patina acts as a protective layer, and it does not cause any weakness in the metal.
Thus, copper is considered as an important element that is resistant to corrosion.
The patina prevents further corrosion of copper beneath the oxidized layer.
Very often, this layer is seen on the rooftops of old buildings, and acts as a waterproofing and sun-proofing coat.

Cheers
 
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Some left over copper residue got wet and left some goo on your ammo don't worry about it. Give them a wipe down or a green scribble if you want.
 
Thanks gents - I just cleaned the rifle and after Hoppes #9, I went through the chamber with G96. I'll wipe the rounds down and chalk this one up to experience. Cheers.
 
I would scrub out my chambers with a 410 brush on the end of a cordless drill and clean well with solvent. After cleaning with the solvent spray a shot of wd40 into the chamber and use new wads until it comes out clean and dry.

Its just my opinion, but those rounds look like they were either in a dirty chamber or a chamber with left over (too much) solvent that never got cleaned out. Toss the rounds into a dry tumbler for 30 minutes and they will be spotless.
 
fiddler said:
I would scrub out my chambers with a 410 brush on the end of a cordless drill and clean well with solvent. After cleaning with the solvent spray a shot of wd40 into the chamber and use new wads until it comes out clean and dry.

Its just my opinion, but those rounds look like they were either in a dirty chamber or a chamber with left over (too much) solvent that never got cleaned out. Toss the rounds into a dry tumbler for 30 minutes and they will be spotless.
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I don't know if using a brush on a drill would be a good idea on this Steyr - they have a 4 lug bolt and chamber bushings that spin. I have to align them with a long screwdriver as it is now to insert the bolt after cleaning. I like the tumbler idea.
 
pac11 said:
Please don't tumble live rounds. It makes the powder finer leading to high pressures.
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People have been clean/tumbling dirty, greasy, and corroded surplus rounds for decades with no ill effects. I've been doing this for 40 years and I will tell you it does not give you pressure changes.


Who told you this crap?
 
Oiled 0000 steel wool will clean those up in no time. Barrel cleaned degreased and then oiled up with just gun oil running moist patch down the barrel will prepare you rifle for long term storage or next hunting trip. Never leave any type of cleaning solvent for long time on the metal and wood parts of your guns. No one knows what is inside. Cleaning is good practice and use what ever you want but for oiling (comes after cleaning) use only light machining oil (sawing machines oil) or pure gun oil (smell test it first).
 
pac11 said:
Please don't tumble live rounds. It makes the powder finer leading to high pressures.
Click to expand...

Remington, Winchester, Federal, etc etc etc etc all tumble their ammo before packaging. In fact, the machines that package ammo 'tumble' (without media) the rounds up a drum/ramp before they get inserted into the packaging.
 
Innercity said:
I'm going to say that's from a combination of Hoppes #9 residue and a wet barrel.
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The only thing I would add into the mix would be oil from your fingers as you take the round out, put it back in the mag, etc. If these were the only rounds you touched a lot with your hand it probably contributed along with the hoppes and moisture
 
pac11 said:
Please don't tumble live rounds. It makes the powder finer leading to high pressures.
Click to expand...
WTF? Who told you that crap? Man, there's enough crud out the in Internet land to choke a camel.
As a truly iconic character said, " Now, you listen to me, j*%k-off, if you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem. Quit being a part of the ... problem and put the other guy back on!"
 
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