Life Span for Once-Fired Brass?

[jc_stecker]

I've been building a little collection of once fired brass from my stockpile of .308. The oldest batch is about 2 months. I haven't cleaned any of them at this point. Will letting them sit dirty, for a certain amount of time, affect their ability to be reloaded?

[ocabj]

No.

[ar15barrels]

I've been building a little collection of once fired brass from my stockpile of .308. The oldest batch is about 2 months. I haven't cleaned any of them at this point. Will letting them sit dirty, for a certain amount of time, affect their ability to be reloaded?

Oh my gosh, 2 months old?
They are just about to expire.

You had better give them to me quickly and I will use them before they go bad.

[nothing4u]

[hybridatsun350]

Haha, it's metal. We're not talking about fresh bananas here. I think you'll be fine!

[jc_stecker]

Haha, it's metal. We're not talking about fresh bananas here. I think you'll be fine!

Yeah, I know they don't expire. I was thinking along the lines of corrosion. Yeah I know, two months big whoop, but I wasn't planning to reload for at least another year.

[rksimple]

Yeah, I know they don't expire. I was thinking along the lines of corrosion. Yeah I know, two months big whoop, but I wasn't planning to reload for at least another year.

I'm using some old RA60 brass in my 308 with excellent results. Some of the cases were a bit tarnished, but nothing bad. Not too shabby for 47 years since manufacture.

I've used even older 3006 brass. I'll have to look at it for a date. It had an odd head to it. Kind of unique...

Anyway, long story short, the brass will be fine. Load it and enjoy.

[CalNRA]

Oh my gosh, 2 months old?
They are just about to expire.

You had better give them to me quickly and I will use them before they go bad.

I heard from some guy that ammunition have a 3-year shelf life before they mutate into baby-seal-killing monsters. I'll take all your expired-and-mutated ammo for free, heck I'll pick them up and won't charge you disposal fee(it's a rough job). I'm feeling generous.

[jc_stecker]

Thanks rk, for pretty much the only useful response.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks rk, for pretty much the only useful response.

When you ask a funny question, you are bound to get some funny answers.

ocabj's answer was spot-on as well.

Since the original question was already answered, the thread gets opened up for funny replies.
Had there been no answer when I found the thread, I would have given both the simple "no" answer AND the funny reply...

[jc_stecker]

Sorry, I didn't realize it was a funny question. I am still new to the sport of shooting so many questions don't seem so funny to me. Uncle Sam and the Corps taught me how to get the bullet from point A to point B with a fair amount of accuracy; they didn't tell me how to reload brass or how to legally own a AR type weapon in California. That is why I'm on this board.

Yes, I forgot to thank ocabj for his quick response. But rk's response answered my question entirely; not only was it backed with information but it was also tactfully put together.

Also, at this point I rather ask "funny" questions than risk a KB. So if you're looking for laughs then you should stay tuned for my future posts.

[jdberger]

OK



but be forewarned, the answers get funnier the higher your post count goes.

You'll see.

Just keep the brass dry and you'll be ok.

Now, here's a related question -

If the ammo was corrosive, will the salts corrode the fired brass if it sits for a long time in a semi-humid enviroment? I'm specifically thinking about a bucket of Berdan 8mm brass that I've been hanging on to.

[C.G.]

I've been building a little collection of once fired brass from my stockpile of .308. The oldest batch is about 2 months. I haven't cleaned any of them at this point. Will letting them sit dirty, for a certain amount of time, affect their ability to be reloaded?

Did you check the expiration date on the bottom?

[jdberger]

jc - think about all the things you did to the noobs in the Marines? Send a private to turn on the range fans? Get a box of grid squares? Warm up the wind sensor (on a tank)?

This is the same kind of stuff - good natured ribbing.

[ar15barrels]

Also, at this point I rather ask "funny" questions than risk a KB.
So if you're looking for laughs then you should stay tuned for my future posts.

As you are local to me, I will make the same offer I make everyone local...

I have 10+ years experience reloading.
I have a fully equipped reloading room.
When you are ready to get your hands on the gear and see how this really works, come spend an hour or two here.
I'll get you headed in the right direction.

There are many little nuances that the manuals don't cover very well and you won't probably be aware of.

Things like press frame stretch and crimped primer pockets...

I highly recommend you obtain a Lyman metallic cartridge reloading manual.
Read the sections explaining the process.
It's one of the best to get you started.