Keeping Used Brass

[SweetPotato]

I started to shoot 5.56 and 9mm a few months ago and have been saving brass for possible future reload or sell them in original package. Just not sure if I will be able to convince my wife to get the reload equipment and that I can reload and use them safely. I am wondering how long can you save those dirty brass? Or should I clean them before stashing them away? Thanks for the input.

[pdq_wizzard]

I started to shoot 5.56 and 9mm a few months ago and have been saving brass for possible future reload or sell them in original package. Just not sure if I will be able to convince my wife to get the reload equipment and that I can reload and use them safely. I am wondering how long can you save those dirty brass? Or should I clean them before stashing them away? Thanks for the input.

too late you need to send them to me

you are fine, just keep them dry that's about it, they will clean up fine 100 years from now.

[DougJ]

I've got stuff I set aside for reloading 30 years before I started reloading...

Not an issue if you make an attempt to keep it dry.

[SweetPotato]

I keep them in the original box so may be I should shrink wrap them at some point or discard the factory box and round them up in the zip lock bag. But some have dirt and grime from the pickup. I guess brass doesn't rush and the cap will just be punch out. Thanks.

[CSACANNONEER]

Brass is only safe to use for .......................







Wait for it.........................










OTOH, I like to push the envelope a bit. I've reloaded 45LC brass dated 1911.

[baih777]

As long as you keep moisture away its good. You could get a 5 gallon bucket bucket and lid and or an old ice chest.

[SweetPotato]

OTOH, I like to push the envelope a bit. I've reloaded 45LC brass dated 1911.

I would venture to guess that your 45LC reload didn't work.

[SweetPotato]

As long as you keep moisture away its good. You could get a 5 gallon bucket bucket and lid and or an old ice chest.

without gun powder, what effect does moisture do to the brass? rust it? (I really don't know).

[pdq_wizzard]

I would venture to guess that your 45LC reload didn't work.

why wouldn't it? I have shot rounds over 100 years old and they go bang.

without gun powder, what effect does moisture do to the brass? rust it? (I really don't know).

it won't rust per say but similar to rust brass tarnishes and it will weaken it. but you don't have to shrink wrap it, just keep it dry.

[baih777]

without gun powder, what effect does moisture do to the brass? rust it? (I really don't know).

You get mold. Or whatever that green stuff is that grows on wet brass. A friend gave me a bucket of brass that he left outside for over a year. What a pain to clean . never again.

[SweetPotato]

Pdq, thank for the info about tarnish and structural weakness. I am keeping my spent brass in my home office in the house so I think it should be dry. I was joking about your reload not going bang.

baih, if you don't clean out all the mold, would it cause problem?

[roc_my_tims]

Keeping in the original box takes up alot of space. You will quickly end up with way more brass than you will probly ever use. My friend is nice and always brings me back his empty boxes from the range for storage. I want to twll him i dont need the stinking boxes i need the brass. But i wouldnt expect him to sweep and pick up all the brass.

[pdq_wizzard]

Pdq, thank for the info about tarnish and structural weakness. I am keeping my spent brass in my home office in the house so I think it should be dry. I was joking about your reload not going bang.

baih, if you don't clean out all the mold, would it cause problem?

husadee, the "mold" and "tarnish" are somewhat one in the same. Again if you keep them dry they will be fine.

[CSACANNONEER]

I would venture to guess that your 45LC reload didn't work.

They worked just fine. Why would you think otherwise?

[sl0re10]

I started to shoot 5.56 and 9mm a few months ago and have been saving brass for possible future reload or sell them in original package. Just not sure if I will be able to convince my wife to get the reload equipment and that I can reload and use them safely. I am wondering how long can you save those dirty brass? Or should I clean them before stashing them away? Thanks for the input.

In zip locks or plastic buckets should last a really long time. Metal corrodes when exposed to other unlike metals (or something... and stuff... can't recall details) so if its in plastic I'd think your good.