Case Discoloration

[Ej3]

I tested some “Factory Loaded” 45 ACP 185 TMJ rounds from GA Arms yesterday. I have heard good things about GA Arms. I am assuming that these are reloaded since the cases were a mix of Speer & Blazer small pistol primer. They are advertised as 900 fps and I recorded 878 fps at 78*F. They shot very well. Although a mix of two cases, my test was only using the Speer cases.


I have had some brass discoloration before, but I cannot recall having brass so discolored on one side. These looked the same after firing in both Kimber and Colt 1911 pistols. The photo below was immediately shooting, without wiping off the cases.

Wiping down the cases with a cleaner reduces the discoloration (assuming just carbon cleaned off), but there is still a noticeable discoloration on the one side. The two on the right were wiped down.

Is this a case issue? A powder issue? A pressure issue? Or, combination of factors? I am assuming they can be cleaned off and reused without issue.

I only have four with the Blazer cases and will fire those when I get a chance to see if they come out the same as the Speer cases.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Most likely it's a powder/pressure thing. The loader is using a powder that is slightly slower than optimal for the fps goal, and it shows as a low pressure.

The case isn't sealing in the chamber. Not necessarily a problem, especially if the load is very accurate.

A powder that is a touch faster would probably solve the issue, if it is an issue. The cases should clean right up in a tumbler

 

[murf]

by the look of the primers and of all the soot on the case, i'm guessing very low pressure for the powder used.

luck,

murf

 

[frankmako]

it is a powder problem. wrong powder for the round or not enough powder. the pressure is low and the case is not sealing in the chamber.

 

[Walkalong]

I have had some brass discoloration before, but I cannot recall having brass so discolored on one side

Looks like "Titegroup stain" to me, but lots of powders can do that if pressure is low. Titegroup just does it worse than most.