Tarnished Brass Still Good?

[l1fel1ne]

Lots of mixed information out there. I tumbled a bunch of brass I've been hoarding over the past 20 years, a bunch of it is still quite tarnished after a day in the tumbler with some walnut media. Think this stuff will still be safe to shoot? Pic of the worst of it:

 

[yomomma]

Id load and shoot it

 

[PharoH]

tarnish is ok, but within reason (in the end it is corrosion on the outer wall). Gotta remember brass is only good for so long and not worth damaging your firearm or hurting yourself to save one brass. I've had some case ruptures before with old brass (no damage or scars lol) and can be a pain to rectify if stuck in a barrel.

 

[dtkb]

I’ve loaded worse tarnished brass in my 7mag multiple times, without trouble. I’ve since bought a stainless pin tumbler so not a problem anymore! Tarnish isn’t bad, as long as its not pitted. In my opinion.

 

[Snider shooter]

I would load it. No pitting,green tarnish. Greenish white tarnish is a bad sign. I had poorly stored 303 rounds given to me for disposal. Tarnish multiple places and you could pull the bullet and neck off the case. Your cases look good.

 

[joe-nwt]

I'd load it.

 

[supernova]

Yes, 100% good to go. I keep my corncob topped up on polish and it does a much faster job of cleaning. I bought 200 pcs of 1f Norma 308 that had quite a few cases heavily tarnished. You could see some were fired in a very rusty chamber, others looked like spring pick up after the snow melted on the range. Some took a few load, shoot and 24 hr tumbler cycles but they're now bright, shiny and not a spot of tarnish anywhere. Yours will clean up just fine.

 

[BattleRife]

As long as there is no loss of material, or cracking, they are fine.

A few minutes soak in a dilute acid, followed by tumbling in walnut, will usually remove the tarnish / staining. Citric acid or phosphoric acid work well.

 

[l1fel1ne]

Thanks I'll give it a try. As long as its cosmetic i don't really care. Good enough for the girls I go out with.

 

[Hitzy]

I chuck them in a drill and run it over steel wool, cleans it up fast.

 

[BCrecce]

^this, 0000 steel wool chucked up. Still there and feel a ridge toss em.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I chuck them in a drill and run it over steel wool, cleans it up fast.

Agreed add a little Brasso will help as well

 

[colt1851]

Not a good idea to use Brasso.

 

[joe-nwt]

Agreed add a little Brasso will help as well

Not a good idea to use Brasso.

And so it begins. Again.