Did I just damage 300 brass?

[M16LR.50]

I am new to reloading. Last night I wet cleaned a bunch of 308 brass that I have been saving for about 3 years now. I decided to put them in the oven just long enough to help speed up the drying process. The plan was 100°F for 40m. 10 minutes into the process I realize that I somehow entered 400°F as the temp . The casings have a slightly darker/brownish tint compared to before this incident - Was the temperature too high for too long? Should I toss out the brass or will they still be good to go?

 

[tigrr]

Unless they hit 750 degrees you are good to go. Patience!!

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Yup.

You did nothing. Well, you dried them.

If it didn't reach 495degF, you're good.

Read this, it's very worthwhile.

http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Unless they hit 750 degrees you are good to go. Patience!!

Not quite. 750deg is what most annealers use for a couple seconds. 750deg for a length of time and it's done....

 

[bigedp51]

As you can see below you did not effect the strength of the brass at 400 degrees.

I left my cases in the bucket below too long just using a hair drier after wet tumbling and all the top cases turned the same color you described. As long as you don't go over 600 degrees it will not effect any part of the case.

 

[M16LR.50]

Awesome, thanks a lot for the responses!

Another question... Is a dirty primer pocket a function of the type of primer or the powder that was in the case? All my brass were bought as loaded and recovered after I shot them. The Winchester and Hornady primer pockets were black and in most cases did not clean out. The Norma and Lapua brass on the other hand looked very clean.

 

[Ltbull01]

Love it! We now have 3 different temperatures to which you CANNOT heat brass! 495, 600 and 750.

A little knowledge is a wonderful thing!

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Love it! We now have 3 different temperatures to which you CANNOT heat brass! 495, 600 and 750.

A little knowledge is a wonderful thing!

Read the 6mmBR article I linked too. It'll explain it.

Don't believe me, believe science.

-J.

 

[tootall]

Love it! We now have 3 different temperatures to which you CANNOT heat brass! 495, 600 and 750.

A little knowledge is a wonderful thing!

Read the 6mmBR article I linked too. It'll explain it.

Don't believe me, believe science.

-J.

From that article:
482*F No change, regardless of time
495*F Just beginning to soften
600* for an hour. Ruined
662* for 15 minutes Ruined
750-800 Will soften within seconds. This is a good choice for annealing, as the mouth can be softened before the heat conducts down to the base/head.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Great summary.