Ammo casing discolored

[dawgfan76]

Many of the bulk cans I've seen of ammo contain casings that are discolored. I wonder two things: are they reloads and have the casings been heated causing the discoloration?

 

[danco]

Yes, the cases have been heated to soften the brass for forming the case neck.

Ammo destined for the consumer market is usually polished after manufacture to get that nice shiny cartridge look and get rid of the heating discoloration, but military ammo doesn't bother with polishing, which is why you see the discoloration on surplus ammo.

 

[GMC man]

its also a quality control check for the military to be sure that the case has been heated.

 

[Gunslinger808]

It's called annealing.

 

[dawgfan76]

Thank you. I was hoping it was not a big deal. The coloration does not bother me, I was really just curious what the real story was.