Does Brass Dry Out???
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lyotehunter
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- Jul 27, 2012
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i have brass for a 22-250 that is over 40 years old no problems but i have a lot so most of it has never been shot over 4 times and they are not hot loads.it is all W.W.brass which at the time was the best.
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TwoMore
Well-Known Member
Dang Right! Just Do It!!!! lol
My guess is you have your brass stored better. I believe this brass was left out in the open for a long period of time. One piece had a area that was nearly eaten through by oxidation.
Thanks 2MO for the utube!
lyotehunter
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- Jul 27, 2012
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Yes it could have even been picked up some where outside.
I have 50 pieces of new Hornady brass waiting to be used once the barrel is fully broken in.
I was looking for hunting/breakin brass.
For now I am not looking to use this rifle for hunting over 300yds. My deer lease is fairly flat and thick...not sure if I will be able to even get a 200 yard shot.
I was looking for hunting/breakin brass.
For now I am not looking to use this rifle for hunting over 300yds. My deer lease is fairly flat and thick...not sure if I will be able to even get a 200 yard shot.
Brass coming in contact with chemicals like vinegar, ammonia, ethanol from cleaning and/or residue from firing, may damage brass. Annealing will not help this. Ammonia forms in nature for rotting vegetation. Old range brass may be damaged and dangerous. Stress corrosion cracking.
Another cause is over working the brass when the FL die sized the neck down way more than needed. Brass becomes brittle.
A poor annealing at the factory may also be the cause.
After many years of having the same problem, 5.56/223, i think i found the fix. Use bushing dies and new brass. Dont put/keep brass/ammo in long term storage.
The first photo is factory fired brass, reloaded and stored.
The 2nd photo is brass washed in a old NRA vinegar solution. It turned brownish over time. Annealing was no help.
Another cause is over working the brass when the FL die sized the neck down way more than needed. Brass becomes brittle.
A poor annealing at the factory may also be the cause.
After many years of having the same problem, 5.56/223, i think i found the fix. Use bushing dies and new brass. Dont put/keep brass/ammo in long term storage.
The 2nd photo is brass washed in a old NRA vinegar solution. It turned brownish over time. Annealing was no help.
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TwoMore
Well-Known Member
I agree, if the brass has been corroded by out-gassing or other chemical damage annealing wont fix it, only work hardening
Maybe the best term is corrosion cracking which is causes by de-zinicification?
Here is a write up on it
http://www.nace.org/Corrosion-Central/Corrosion-101/Dezincification/
Takes a alkaline or acidic bath which could easily be cause by gun powder residue or break down with loaded rounds as well. It use to be seen sooner before manf properly annealed the necks. In general my guess would be say 10 yrs you can count on it being good in most any conditions after that at varying degrees you are getting hardening via the conversion and loss of zinc in the alloy.
This also speaks of it directly in its effects on ammuntion and not just brass alloy in general.
ASTM International publication STPA64 "Protective Resin Films In Cartridge Brass" based on studies at Frankford Arsenal.
So want to give it a term I would say corrosion aging or cracking but corrosion something....... seems like the best name as age is not the given but actual environmental and powder breakdown.
I bet if a cases that were thoroughly cleaned sized and annealed and put in air tight vaccum sealed bags and kept would not have these issues over long periods of time.
Here is a write up on it
http://www.nace.org/Corrosion-Central/Corrosion-101/Dezincification/
Takes a alkaline or acidic bath which could easily be cause by gun powder residue or break down with loaded rounds as well. It use to be seen sooner before manf properly annealed the necks. In general my guess would be say 10 yrs you can count on it being good in most any conditions after that at varying degrees you are getting hardening via the conversion and loss of zinc in the alloy.
This also speaks of it directly in its effects on ammuntion and not just brass alloy in general.
ASTM International publication STPA64 "Protective Resin Films In Cartridge Brass" based on studies at Frankford Arsenal.
So want to give it a term I would say corrosion aging or cracking but corrosion something....... seems like the best name as age is not the given but actual environmental and powder breakdown.
I bet if a cases that were thoroughly cleaned sized and annealed and put in air tight vaccum sealed bags and kept would not have these issues over long periods of time.
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