Corroded Brass

Travel240z

Travel240z

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
Location
Alberta
What is considered corroded brass? I have been reading through some of my freshly purchased reloading manuals and this question keeps popping up due to the statements that say "do not reload corroded brass" and "do not shine up corroded brass in your tumbler" if it is corroded dispose of it.

I have been collecting brass, mine and any left behind at the range by others, for the past 2 years with the plan that I would start reloading. Some of this brass is discolored. When they talk about corroded brass are they talking pitting or any discoloration.

I would expect that I have more than plenty 40cal brass that is once fired by myself to keep me happy but I have been collecting 9mm brass with the expectation to purchase a new 9mm hand gun (before Christmass with luck :)). The 9mm brass that I have would be about 50 percent discolored. I was thinking that the tumbler would take this off no problem and away I would go.

I am beginning to think that I will sort the new looking brass from the old and only work with it.

What are your experiences with range brass that was not shot by you? Do you only keep the freshly fired brass? Are cleaning up the old ones too risky? Have I already started down a dangerous path without knowing it?

Thanks for you responses in advance.
 
I have cleaned corroded but not pitted .357 magnum brass by soaking/shaking in 1:5 vinegar and hot water solution until most (not all) of the corrosion had diasppeared, then rinsing three times in warm tap water.

I also used lemon juice in place of vinegar and it works too.

Tumble as usual for three hours and the brass looks almost new. I did that when my 357 magnum brass was dwindling, but I now have a fresh supply of once fired and new brass.

IMO to be safe, just discard the corroded ones.
 
There is a difference between tarnished and corroded brass.
Tarnished brass is what you are seeing on most range pickups, especially if it has been in wet grass. This is not a safety problem with the brass, and most of it comes off in normal tumbling.
Corroded brass is indicated by green, or green fuzz, and often shows copper colour around it, or on the case if the green stuff is removed. This corrosion is an indicator of damage to the brass and I would recommend that you do not reload it. Even if you clean it off in a tumbler, the brass might be damaged.
 
what about brass that has been in a galvanized box for a decade or more? a bunch of it seems to have picked up zinc or zinc oxide off the box, but it looks like its plated, not corroded, can i tumble it clean?
 
scott585 said:
what about brass that has been in a galvanized box for a decade or more? a bunch of it seems to have picked up zinc or zinc oxide off the box, but it looks like its plated, not corroded, can i tumble it clean?
Click to expand...
No idea, as I don't know what chemical reaction has taken place. if in doubt, don't use it.(is it that rare?)
 
I've had brass that has turned nearly solid brown. As long as there was no signs of pitting, I've simply tumbled the cases in hard walnut and carried on.

As far as I can tell, browned brass is not weakened, just ugly.
 
scott585 said:
what about brass that has been in a galvanized box for a decade or more? a bunch of it seems to have picked up zinc or zinc oxide off the box, but it looks like its plated, not corroded, can i tumble it clean?
Click to expand...

Zinc acts as a protective anode to most common metals. What this means is that the zinc will sacrifice itself in order to protect (prevent oxidation) of the less reactive metals or alloys. The white zinc oxide can just be washed off and the brass can be tumbled and shined up good as new.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom