woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Jan 31, 2014 20:06:39 GMT -5
I was given a bunch 45/70 rounds that were loaded with black powder. I pulled all the bullets and will reload them with smokeless powder. How should I clean the brass? I want to make sure no black powder residue is in the cases and quite a few are tarnished from the black powder on the outside. Plain soap and water? Soak over night? Then tumble? Any suggestions welcome.
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Post by oldschool on Jan 31, 2014 20:25:39 GMT -5
I was given a bunch 45/70 rounds that were loaded with black powder. I pulled all the bullets and will reload them with smokeless powder. How should I clean the brass? I want to make sure no black powder residue is in the cases and quite a few are tarnished from the black powder on the outside. Plain soap and water? Soak over night? Then tumble? Any suggestions welcome. Good question. I'd probably soak them in a soap and water mix overnight, dry them, then tumble with some dry corncob media containing a couple of caps of Nu-Finish car wax mixed in. I use Nu-Finish almost exclusively in my tumbling media these days. It does a good job of cleaning the brass when used with corncob and leaves a nice light coat of wax, preventing oxidation. |
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Post by oldschool on Jan 31, 2014 20:34:50 GMT -5
Almost forgot...a solution that brightens brass without weakening it is to mix 2 teaspoons of citric acid per quart of hot water (exact mix is not critical). Cover your brass with this mix and stir for a few seconds. Let brass soak for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse thoroughly with water. You can dry your brass in the sun or in the oven at low heat (make sure your wife is not around!).
If you decide to do this, I would do it as a second step after the soap and water to first get rid of the black powder residue.
FYI, citric acid can usually be found at any store carrying canning supplies. My local Walmart carries it.
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woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Jan 31, 2014 21:07:17 GMT -5
I also use new finish. I think Rob L turned me on to it. It works good as you said. For media I use very fine ground walnut shells. I get it at the local farm store. It is for lizards. Works awesome.
I will try the citric acid. Been wanting to try it for a long time. Now I have a reason to get some. Thanks.
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Post by hammerdown77 on Feb 1, 2014 10:25:28 GMT -5
The vinegar/water wash also works. When I'm at the range, I carry a closed up bottle (Tide detergent bottle usually) of soap and water, and drop the fired brass into that. Get home, rinse off, put in the vinegar/water solution for 10 minutes, rinse again, then into the tumbler. Comes out nice and shiny.
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woody
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,116
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Post by woody on Feb 1, 2014 13:29:41 GMT -5
I got them nice and clean and shiny!!! I soaked them in soap and water with a little vinegar over night since I didn't have any citric acid. Bought some this am and soaked it that for a few hours. Now they are in the tumbler with the mix I usually use for it. Lizard
Walnut shell bedding with a capful of Nufinish polish. Looking really good. A few I did have to use 0000 steelwool on them. Had lube stains on the outside.
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