low buck methods washing dry muddy brass

[SW CQB 45]

I have many years of police range pickup brass.

Some is muddy for when it rained on us and clay gumbo type mud in south tx.

I have a five gal bucket of brass soaking in water that I have already rinsed several times and each time is muddy water.

Then I started to put thought...what's the best low buck method so it can be throughly washed and dryed.

Being in south tx winter....we are experiencing 90 degree days...so sunlight as my dryer is one method.

So I don't rack my brain any further and I know this has been done before by you all......what are some frugal methods to wash muddy brass and then dry?

Thinking some screening material to final rinse and dry?

Thanks in advance

 

[SMSgt]

I've never had to "wash" brass, but if you have a tumbler you can use Dawn cut thru most anything.

 

[SW CQB 45]

in south texas...we dont have dirt....we have gumbo.

its very clay like and moves with the heat.

horrible on residential foundations as it moves all the time.

its also horrible on brass. it does not come off. very concrete like and does not tumble off.

I have it soaking in water and bought some cheap grate ($7) from the concrete section at Lowes, will make some sort of sifter/dryer out of this grate.

thanks for looking

 

[TAROMAN]

When I lived in Arizone, we called these "adobe wadcutters".
Soak overnight in water with Dawn detergent.
Agitate well and rinse several times.
If they are still bad, put them in hot water with Bar Keeper's Friend. Agitate well, in a big plastic tub with a tight fitting lid.
Rinse well.
Decap wet with a universal decapping die.
Straight into the tumbler while still damp.

 

[Rule3]

Hardware cloth nailed to 2x4's with aluminum roofing nails. Furring strips underneath to keep the mesh offf the concrete.

2 cups vinegar, 2 tablespoons salt, few drops of dish detergent in a gal or so of water. Soak 20 minutes, rinse well.

Some mud like yours may be stuck so bad you need to break it up with a sharp stick or dowel.

If you put them in the tumbler dry with no media it might shake out the dry mud. Then wash them.

 

[gregintenn]

You can find a plastic mesh box at your local big box store made for washing baby bottle nipples in the dishwasher. This should work well for brass also.

 

[willig10]

I live in Texas as well. Here is my suggestion. (By the way do you have any .223 brass? I am close to you I think lol)

1. Wash the brass in a bucket with soap and water.
2. Use an RCBS case cleaning brush to get to the inside of the brass.
3. Rinse until clear results.
4. Place your oven on its lowest setting and preheat. Turn your oven off after it is preheated. Place your brass in the oven and allow your brass to dry.
5. Tumble your brass until shiny

The oven will more than likey preheat to 200 degrees fahrenheit. After you shut the oven off it will not get hotter than it's lowest setting and should not anneal the brass.

You can also view this method by doing a search on youtube. Not me but you can at least get a visual on what I just said.

Hope this helps you a bit.

Regards
Glenn Williams

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks for all the tips.

I am actually separating brass by calibers and storing in sealed buckets and will utilize when needed.

I still have many boxes to go through but want to finish 10 more gallons and then focus on reloading.

Separating with the brass caliber sifters is still a long process.

my handgun season is about to start.....so any rifle loading might get put back for sometime.

Rule3, I like the homemade unit. I bought some steel expanded grate and I will nail it to a frame similar to yours.

 

[NotObvious]

That is a really wonderful problem to have these days...

 

[SW CQB 45]

I am actually under house arrest not to bring anymore brass home.

I have a lot and next winter....start the process again of separating.

I am selling 40sw and .357 sig when I get a substantial amount as I dont have those calibers.