Brass Storage in Metal Can?

[Barmcd]

I've been keeping excess brass in 1 gallon plastic pails with lids. I've got so much 9mm brass that I have multiple containers full and would like to put it in a bigger container. I have several of those metal Christmas popcorn tins that are just the right size. Is there any reason not to use them?

 

[conan32120]

Make sure you wash the salt out of them

 

[ballman6711]

Unless some sort of galvanic corrosion occurs, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. You could prevent any chance of a galvanic reaction just by putting them in plastic bags before placing them in the popcorn tins.

I keep my brass in plastic coffee cans or ziploc bags until cleaned, then I put 100 pieces in a ziploc and into a five gallon bucket. When I'm ready to reload, I can grab a bag from the bucket and I have 100 pieces ready to go.

chris

 

[dgod]

I keep mine in ammo cans, 35+ years, still good to go

 

[ballman6711]

I keep mine in ammo cans, 35+ years, still good to go

But those are coated or painted and not bare metal. I also have had ammo (not fired brass) in metal ammo cans for years and it's also still in good condition. I do check it once in awhile, but haven't shot any of it for many years.

chris

 

[AJC1]

Just put them in a plastic bag. I use them in ammo cans all the time. My dad used the big double loaf bread bags from Costco...

 

[epags]

Here is how I do mine in three gallon storage containers:

 

[GaryL]

You could prevent any chance of a galvanic reaction just by putting them in plastic bags before placing them in the popcorn tins.


chris

Good idea. Any kind of dis-similar metal contact can cause corrosion.

 

[Soonerpesek]

But those are coated or painted and not bare metal

I would be willing to bet those popcorn tins aren’t bare metal, there is some sort of anti corrosion stuff on them , wouldn’t you think …

 

[ballman6711]

I would be willing to bet those popcorn tins aren’t bare metal, there is some sort of anti corrosion stuff on them , wouldn’t you think …

Hadn't thought of that, but being used for food you are most likely correct.

chris

 

[GaryL]

I would be willing to bet those popcorn tins aren’t bare metal, there is some sort of anti corrosion stuff on them , wouldn’t you think …

Probably true, but brass banging around in the can will quickly break through any coatings.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Probably true, but brass banging around in the can will quickly break through any coatings.

Won’t argue that..
@ballman6711 nailed it when he sed line them with a plastic bag, or put the brass in bags first….

 

[tmd16556]

You could also put a plastic grocery bag or trash bag (depending on the size of the container) in there as a liner just to be safe.

 

[rfwobbly]

I attend a church that drinks a lot of coffee. I simply asked the coffee makers to save me all the empty plastic canisters. That way I get a new canister about once a month.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I use plastic bags labeled with where in my prep process they are and then stored in containers with the calibers written on the containers, in calibers I have a lot of brass I have multiple containers marked with the caliber and where in the process they are but still in plastic zip lock bags in 100s since that is how I reload.

 

[Barmcd]

Thanks for the replies. I'll put plastic packing tape on the inside to keep the brass away from the metal. Cheap and easy. I think the inside has some type of food safe coating, but its not very thick for sure.

 

[Barmcd]

This is what I’m using and what I want to add.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I would be willing to bet those popcorn tins aren’t bare metal, there is some sort of anti corrosion stuff on them , wouldn’t you think …

Read an article in doctor’s office about past BPA coated food containers (bad) and today’s resin and copolymers (good until they tell us bad).

Anyway, in recent years no USA sold food was in an unlined container. Which is ironic since bare metal would’ve been safer.

 

[.308 Norma]

Is there any reason not to use them?

Not that I know of. I've been storing most of my brass in old Christmas fruitcake/cookies/candy tins for better than 40 years. My only old Christmas popcorn tin though is my "Bucket of Holsters" - it's pretty big (probably 3 gallons at least) and it would be heavier than this old man wants to lift if it was full of brass cases.

 

[tmd16556]

It’s 9mm brass, I missed that somehow. I’d just dump it in there and not worry. Even if you got some bimetallic corrosion (which would probably only happen if you’re in south Florida near salt spray and the brass scuffs up the liner), you’d only lose a small percentage of them. A plastic grocery bag would let you sort headstamps in the same bucket. If you’re into that kind of thing.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the replies. I'll put plastic packing tape on the inside to keep the brass away from the metal. Cheap and easy. I think the inside has some type of food safe coating, but its not very thick for sure.

Godd idea! I was gonna suggest a rattle can of epoxy paint but tape is less mess.

 

[lightman]

I have stored brass in both the holiday cookie and popcorn tins and metal coffee cans with no problems. Just be sure to wash them out well before using them.

 

[Buzznrose]

This is what I’m using and what I want to add.

View attachment 1184953

If that works for you, cool! I want two things:

1. Handles
2. Stackable
3. Durable

5 gallon buckets and lids work but heavy when full. I like these Lowe’s 2 gallon buckets a lot:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-Lowe-s-2-Gallon-General-Bucket/1000421393?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-ggl-_-LIA_PNT_133_TS-Sanding-Sundries-Surface-Buckets-_-1000421393-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8tWU1-8qNh26JuiG-29S_B8&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P-rBhBEEiwAQEXhH5nY6QuXowTkcZxtG8BAg-ChYvyO9-SKtwDdBx_J2ATNPp_42xxtsBoCK9EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[EricBu]

I've been keeping excess brass in 1 gallon plastic pails with lids. I've got so much 9mm brass that I have multiple containers full and would like to put it in a bigger container. I have several of those metal Christmas popcorn tins that are just the right size. Is there any reason not to use them?

I have some of those xmas tins from ~ 1989 or so, full of brass. It's just fine. I'd be more concerned where you store the metal can full of brass, rather than the can itself.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have some of those xmas tins from ~ 1989 or so, full of brass. It's just fine. I'd be more concerned where you store the metal can full of brass, rather than the can itself.

All my old Christmas tins still have the fruitcakes in them. They last forever so I’m confident brass will too.