Question about 308 brass

[Cj10488]

So this may be a stupid question. I have been using an old tried and true method for cleaning brass that NRA published years ago. However this is probably the 3 or 4 time using this brass and its color has changed after this last cleaning. See the pics attached. The shinny one is twice fired and cleaned. The 2 others have been used 3 or 4 times.

Does the color really matter? Is it still safe to use? All looks to be great except for the coloring of the brass.

Thanks
James

Read More

 

[tac]

If you were in the Army you'd have to polish it all over AND put a sharp crease down the middle.

 

[Cj10488]

I cleaned it again and it came out a little bit better. I think its just a bit tarnished and should still be fine. Thoughts or Opinions?

Thanks
James

 

[DizzyJ]

Tarnished makes no difference except to the preference of the shooter.

 

[po18guy]

Oxidation. Soft metals oxidize more quickly that harder metals like steel, SS or Ti. Have a tumbler? A few hours rotating around will do their appearance a world of good. In a semi-auto, it may also "slightly" improve function. I'm not only old, but old school. My favorite is walnut shell treated with jeweler's rouge. Not just clean, but polished way beyond factory new.

 

[Cj10488]

Thanks. If it's safe to shoot I'm shooting. I have yet to get any sort of tumbler so I'm not worried about the looks of the brass.

Thanks much,
James

 

[Helocat]

James, if you're not already doing so do check the case length (COL) if that many times loaded.

 

[Cj10488]

Already check and trim to 2.005 each and every time. Precise Measurements according to drawings are a common place in field of expertise. I'm holding myself to tighter tolerances than any commercial ammo manufacturing facility can provide.

Thanks thou for making sure.
James

 

[tac]

Already check and trim to 2.005 each and every time. Precise Measurements according to drawings are a common place in field of expertise. I'm holding myself to tighter tolerances than any commercial ammo manufacturing facility can provide.

Thanks thou for making sure.
James

In that case, you might care to check out the MTs for Swiss GP11 ammunition............

A look inside: GP-11 7.5x55 Swiss - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com

 

[tac]

I cleaned it again and it came out a little bit better. I think its just a bit tarnished and should still be fine. Thoughts or Opinions?

Thanks
James

View attachment 608306

Sir, you really need to get out more and shoot the darned stuff.

 

[gmerkt]

If you are using a tumbler and corn cob or walnut media, the condition of the media will give you color variations.

 

[Cj10488]

Here's a question. In all the reloading manuals nome of them really talk about case defects to watch out for with the exception of split necks and separated cases, major dents and bulging. Is there an article out there that shows what to watch out for and what would actually be a defect besides what's shown in ABCs to reloading and the Nosler reloading guide?

Thanks
James