Stupid question about CORROSIVE AMMO

[PerversPépère]

since we're on the topic of corrosive ammo...can you re-use the brass from corrosive rounds?

It depends: very old rounds (WWI) used mercury fulminate for agent and the mercury residue attacked the microcrystalline grain structure of the brass, weakening it and making it unsafe to reuse.
Another problem is the very nature of the priming method: usually the corrosive primers are found in Berdan primed cases, which are much more difficult to reload.
PP.

 

[chopper 1]

Mind you, when it comes to cleaning and preservation of our firearms, there will never be a STUPID question. Even if the subject has been debated on an on, there will always be a newbie needing some good answers to the problem and this can raise new answers to the question.

But now, let's kill the dragon: corrosive ammo are only so due to the nature and chemical composition of their PRIMERS.
They contain some reactants, namely potassium chlorate and perchlorates which generate minute amounts of potassium and sodium chloride. These, mixed with the porous combustion residue, are very hygroscopic and they will absorb and retain ambient humidity. This salt brine in contact with your barrel's surface, will begin to corrode it immediately if the air is humid.

Now, because these salts are very water-soluble, they can be flushed very quickly from the metal just by a good drenching with very hot (boiling) water.
Hot is good because it augments the solubility of the salts AND heats the metal to promote quick evaporation of the remaining water. Regular cleaning and lubrication AFTER this step will insure the metal is protected.

The salts do NOT need to be neutralized by any chemical reaction.
Some say ammonia contained in Windex helps. Yes, it is true: it helps get any oily residue out that could protect salts from the water.
But remember that ammonia is also a strong alkaline corrosive. It reacts with almost any metal if left in contact long enough. It also dissolves copper, which is why you find it in copper-cutting solutions for cleaning barrels.

So, any way you do, FIRST flush these salts out then clean and oil that gun, that's all it needs.
Good luck!
PP.

there is NO ammonia in windex. It is ammonia d which is not ammonia but a dessicant

 

[Camj]

I guess from all this we see there is several relatively simple ways to clean the rifle, the point is you HAVE to clean the rifle and soon after you shoot. I guess what I have been looking for is the minimun you need to do if you cannot thougly clean the rfile right after you shoot. I am assuming this is the minimum.
1: run a bore snake through the barrel/run windex or water/then the bore snake again
2: Remove and using windex/water clean the gas tube.
3: Give an over all wipe down with oil?
Would this be enough to say hold over night if required?

 

[cantom]

I guess from all this we see there is several relatively simple ways to clean the rifle, the point is you HAVE to clean the rifle and soon after you shoot. I guess what I have been looking for is the minimun you need to do if you cannot thougly clean the rfile right after you shoot. I am assuming this is the minimum.
1: run a bore snake through the barrel/run windex or water/then the bore snake again
2: Remove and using windex/water clean the gas tube.
3: Give an over all wipe down with oil?
Would this be enough to say hold over night if required?

One issue with that...the bore snake will now be encrusted with corrosive salt. Thus using it further might reintroduce corrosive salt to the rifle?
Perhaps it could be washed out...

 

[Camj]

Cantom: Good point!!! Maybe reverse the steps is a better idea and rinse the boresnake as well. Thanks for pointing that out.