Corroded Brass

[archerforkids]

So, my son got his hands on a Ruger #1 300 weatherby mag w 50 spent casings. I ran them through a vibratory cleaner w corn media for 6 hours and it turned out ok. I go to resizing and I'm having hell w headspace. Then out of the blue I pull a neck right off the brass on upstroke. Get to looking and the inside of the brass is green on a few of the rounds.
Taught me a lesson. I'll be inspecting the inside a little closer from now on.

 

[ebb]

Get someone to tumble them with SS pins, they will be clean inside and out. then cut one in two lengthwise and see if they are in good enough shape to shoot.

 

[archerforkids]

For the cost of 50 rounds, not sure it's worth it. Brass seems brittle. Having devil of a time setting shoulders consistently. Think I'll just start fresh.

 

[RegionRat]

Ugh, hate that, but it happens.

The wet tumbling is a mixed bag, but one thing it is really good at is giving you a very clear shot at inspecting the brass inside and out. There are also ultrasonic cleaners that work too.

After you get these clean, a borescope or good light will help.

Like anything else, just don't over do it.

 

[archerforkids]

I deliberately didn't wet tumble trying to keep carbon buildup on inside of necks to make sizing easier. I still had to lube inside of necks to minimize upstroke on press. And thats after polishing sizer button with Flitz.
I'm a big believer in wet tumbling. Always puts u at same starting point w your brass. But I never using a sizing button either. Always use bushing dies.

 

[acloco]

If the corrosion on the inside of the necks is causing separation, time to toss the brass.

 

[archerforkids]

If the corrosion on the inside of the necks is causing separation, time to toss the brass.

My feelings exactly

 

[Bill Norris]

Not worth the risk for sure. Dump it and start with fresh brass.

 

[rijndael]

How bad does the corrosion have to be to cause neck separation?

Can you cut one open and share some pictures?

 

[JLT]

Not worth the risk for sure. Dump it and start with fresh brass.

^^^^ This. We're talking about a 65K psi case. Bad stuff can happen with a case failure anywhere near maximum average pressure. Expensive brass, but new brass will be cheaper than bolt or chamber damage (or worse).

 

[RegionRat]

I‘m of the camp that would punt on the batch, but I am also familiar with how fun it can be to find and pay for Weatherby cases….

At my place in life I tend to distrust brass unless I know the exact history.

I haven’t had to find 300 Weatherby Mag lately, is it easy to find?

 

[whatsupdoc]

Throw the batch out, each case is an individual and each case will show different levels of corrosion. Im sure many here have found an old box of ammo thats been sitting for years and some of the rounds are badly corroded and some are not.

Dont play stupid games, one bad case head will destroy your rifle and possibly you.

 

[archerforkids]

I found some hornady brass for about $75.00 per 50. Norma for about $125.00 per 50. I've had better luck w hornady than Norma. Probably go that route.

 

[archerforkids]

Throw the batch out, each case is an individual and each case will show different levels of corrosion. Im sure many here have found an old box of ammo thats been sitting for years and some of the rounds are badly corroded and some are not.

Dont play stupid games, one bad case head will destroy your rifle and possibly you.

As said before, totally agree. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt someone trying to save a buck, much less my own son.

 

[Old Navy]

I picked up several .303 WW1 cases at the range one day. They were green all over and several splits on each. Some guy fired a whole box of them. Didn't see any blood.

 

[natdscott]

Might have been left near some ammonia-based cleaner.

 

[209jones]

I keep this bookmarked to reference, powder deterioration and its effects on brass, gets into US military studies etc. Worth a read.

Danger with Deteriorating Powder - CMP Forums

A place to ask general reloading questions. Questions should not be directed towards a CMP employee and NOT replace a reloading manual.

forums.thecmp.org

 

[Gary in MD]

I found some hornady brass for about $75.00 per 50. Norma for about $125.00 per 50. I've had better luck w hornady than Norma. Probably go that route.

No way in hell that I would pick Hornady over Norma. Unless maybe it was going to be shot out of an AR and just left on the ground....
There is a reason that Weatherby has been using Norma brass for over 50 years and it's not because it is the cheapest. Sometimes the primer pockets will open up if loaded warm but still is good quality brass.

 

[archerforkids]

No way in hell that I would pick Hornady over Norma. Unless maybe it was going to be shot out of an AR and just left on the ground....
There is a reason that Weatherby has been using Norma brass for over 50 years and it's not because it is the cheapest. Sometimes the primer pockets will open up if loaded warm but still is good quality brass.

I've had less than desirable luck with Norma. Given this brass wont see that much reloading, the Hornady will meet our needs.
Not trying to bash Norma. Those guys generally come to the table with their A game on all their products.