Chemistry sort of question

[stubbicatt]

Guys, shot 5 cartridges yesterday loaded with black powder thru 45-70. Was an overall pleasant experience. Got home, decapped the empties, and placed them in warm tap water with a dash of Dawn dish soap for a soak and clean. Almost immediately they change from a more or less shiny brass color to a dark color. They cleaned up nicely on the inside, but the discoloration is undesirable.

What causes this, and if you know, what's the cure to returning them to a brass color? I thought to put them in the vibratory tumbler with fresh media and see what happens, but perhaps there is a better way?

Thanks.

 

[krimmie]

Your brass will become shiny again when you tumble it.

 

[rsrocket1]

Did you try the same thing with brass not shot with BP?
krimmie is right, they should clean right up with a tumbling. It's all surface stuff.

 

[Walkalong]

Water turns cases dark, whether out on the range in the rain, or dunked at home. Adding Lemishine to the mix might brighten them up, dunno for sure though.

 

[stubbicatt]

Well there you have it! I learn a lot from you fellas.

 

[bfalcon00]

Yeah I have that with brass I pick up outside at the range. I use ss pins dawn and a little lemishine and they look brand new. Too much lemishine they turn od green so be careful. Ask me how I know haha.

 

[Coogs.]

Oxidation, probably caused from chemicals in the water, chlorine, or the soap, water and oxygen. JMHO. Coogs.

 

[Maj Dad]

The citric acid approach to cleaning cases is truly the cat's meow. Check out this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=708100&highlight=citric+acid+case+cleaning

 

[Reloadron]

Chemistry sort of question.

Chemistry sort of answer.

Most dish washing soaps contain sodium bisulphite and other sulphur derivatives. Check your label. Also according to the MSDS it does contain a mild sulfuric acid mix in there. The MSDS can be had by going here. My guess is the dish washing liquid played a role in things happening that quick. Anyway, it should clean right off when you tumble the brass.

Ron

 

[stubbicatt]

Ah. Black Powder also has suphur. Between the soap and the powder residue, I'm guessing the sulphur caused the discoloration. Thanks for the idea ReloadRon. One nice thing is that the cases are fire formed to my chamber, and it is easy to thumb seat a bullet now.

As I dip my bullets in melted lube, which more than adequately fills the grooves, and leaves a little excess, the thumb seating performs double duty of removing excess lube at the same time as seating the bullet!

Thanks guys for your ideas.

 

[blarby]

I shoot BP with a guy who shoots a LOT of BP 45 colt.

He places the fired cartridges in a mason jar of vinegar and water.

He says it cuts the fouling straight away, and his cases ALWAYS look good.

FWTW.

 

[stubbicatt]

Perhaps I'll try that Blarby. The cases are squeaky clean using a dash of Dawn, only discolored.

Loaded up 3 sets of 5 cartridges last night up to 60 grains. Looking forward to testing them to see how they perform.

Short, amateur, unedited, not-very-good video: here.

I do so enjoy this old rifle.