cleaning brass

dalesemt · #1 03-05-2013, 09:10 PM

I don't reload, I shoot .40 S&W I had some gentlemen stop by a ask if they could use some of my land to target practice, I had no problem with it, Showed them where to go and such, I heard rounds going off for the last month or so, no problems. Went down to where they have been shooting, and there is brass every where, .40 .357 .44 .223 .22-250, I don't have a tumbler. to clean it can I just wash it and dry or is that a no no have no plans on reloading but you never know.

gregintenn · #2 03-05-2013, 09:16 PM

Shouldn't hurt a thing. You could always separate and sell it. The 223 will bring a premium right now.

Rollbar · #3 03-05-2013, 10:06 PM

Put it in a container w/holes so the H20 can get to it and put it in the dishwasher and doubl rinse.

dalesemt · #4 03-05-2013, 10:11 PM

Thankyou for the information

TAROMAN · #5 03-05-2013, 10:14 PM

Couple tablespoons of this in a bucket of hot water.
Stir it well for a few minutes.
Rinse well and let dry.

Afterwards:

arjay · #6 03-05-2013, 10:14 PM

There is lead residue on dirty brass.Wash it in a bucket ,spread it out to dry in the sun.

Clovishound · #7 03-05-2013, 10:56 PM

I hand wash all my brass for reloading with water, dish detergent and vinegar. Lemon juice does a better job, if you have it. I put it in a container with a tight lid, shake it some, let sit for a half hour. Rinse it carefully and let it dry. I manually clean out the primer pockets with a small tool made just for that. There are lots of recipes on the web for vinegar/detergent washing.

Glenn H · #8 03-05-2013, 11:03 PM

I'd ask them to police their brass and put a 5 gallon can with lid down there. Seems like the least they could do.

oberon · #9 03-05-2013, 11:24 PM

Brass used to be about a dime apiece. They're around a quarter these days.

rwsmith · #10 03-06-2013, 12:25 AM

In less needy days I would be kinda mad that they didn't police their own brass on your property. Nowadays you can separate them, wash 'em off in a bucket with some detergent, and sell it. If you have any 30-06 cases give me a buzz!

Fishslayer · #11 03-06-2013, 12:31 AM

.357 brass is always gold. 5.56/.223 is going about $.10 apiece right now.

Twoboxer · #12 03-06-2013, 01:06 AM

You allow them to shoot, and they leave brass scattered all over the ground?

People just suck.

Rule3 · #13 03-06-2013, 01:44 AM

Good grief, don't put it in the dishwasher!

Put it in a 5 gal bucket with some soap and water, rinse and dry well.

Aticus · #14 03-06-2013, 02:21 PM

By all means sell the brass! Make a few pence for your efforts of picking it up.

About picking up the brass: they don't clean up after themselves they don't shoot! Picking up your brass when on private property is only good manners.

pistolairo · #15 03-06-2013, 02:48 PM

Where do you live? I'll pick it up for you

medalguy · #16 03-07-2013, 12:11 AM

You guys are mad because someone left their brass on the ground? Seriously? Anyone who wants to shoot on my property will be required to leave their brass for me. Fair trade, shooting privileges for brass, in my opinion.

J. R. WEEMS · #17 03-07-2013, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAROMAN

Couple tablespoons of this in a bucket of hot water.
Stir it well for a few minutes.
Rinse well and let dry.

Afterwards:

SAY, I have an unbeatable method for cleaning brass, but who sells this stuff???

blujax01 · #18 03-07-2013, 06:58 AM

You'll find Barkeeper's Friend in most any grocery store, in the household cleaning aisle alongside the Comet. I use it a lot on my SS cookware.

Nick B · #19 03-07-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecos Bill

By all means sell the brass! Make a few pence for your efforts of picking it up.

About picking up the brass: they don't clean up after themselves they don't shoot! Picking up your brass when on private property is only good manners.

I'd be more worried about the liability of allowing some strangers to shoot on my property .
Now days people want to sue at the drop of the hat .

arjay · #20 03-08-2013, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAROMAN

Couple tablespoons of this in a bucket of hot water.
Stir it well for a few minutes.
Rinse well and let dry.

Afterwards:

Picked some of this up on my way home from shooting tonight and tried it .Ive been tumbling brass for 30 years and this works faster!

uechikid · #21 03-08-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjay

Picked some of this up on my way home from shooting tonight and tried it .Ive been tumbling brass for 30 years and this works faster!

And, for me, I don't need to spend the extra money on a tumbler and media.

vito · #22 03-09-2013, 12:49 PM

I use a tumbler with crushed corn cob and a bit of Nu-Finish car wax. No need to dry, but you need to shake out the media that ends up in the cartridge. I'm building up a stock of cases for later reloading by saving the factory ammo that I shoot at the range.

Old Seabee · #23 03-09-2013, 01:19 PM

Just tried it thanks for the tip

Trooperdan · #24 03-09-2013, 01:45 PM

I expect the active ingredient in Barkeepers Friend is citric acid, also found as Lemi-shine for cleaning dishwashers. A tablespoon of citric acid in a quart of warm water, soak 10-15, rinse and dry. Won't harm the brass and even passifies the brass so it doesn't oxidize as quickly.

Pequod · #25 03-09-2013, 02:34 PM

Going to pick some of this up and try it on brass. Do you stir up the brass in the hot water with the BKF and then leave sit for a while? Or can you just mix the BKF and stir, then dump the brass in. How long should it sit in the liquid? That brass in the picture is a lot prettier than mine looks after tumbling. Thanks.

Pequod

RussellD · #26 03-09-2013, 02:37 PM

Put all the brass in an old pillow case. Zip tie the neck a couple times. Throw into the washing machine with a load of old towels.

spread the brass out on a box top and allow to dry in the afternoon sun.