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Blue Corrosion

gimpy

One-Legged Grunt
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 16, 2011
551
249
42
Illinois
has anyone seen old ammo (10 years maybe) that had blue corrosion all over it? I had someone drop some off today in a case tuff box that looked like mice made a Motel 6 out of it. The ammo inside was corroded and covered with a teal-blue color. What's the deal with this?
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

That's kind of what I figured... Is the ammo trash?
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gimpy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's kind of what I figured... Is the ammo trash? </div></div>

Tumble it in walnut/corn and some polish for an hour and see how it cleans up.

Chris
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

it's just brass oxidization...it will clean up. Just means it wasn't prepped for storage.

If you're going to tumble it, be very careful and only do a few rounds at a time...there have been instances of detonation...a vibratory tumbler would be better than a rotary tumbler. I've done it before...10-20 rounds at a time and never an issue, it was a vibratory tumbler

If you're really worried you can just use brass polish cloth, brazzo and do it by hand.

you can soak it in a solution- If I recall correctly, Vinegar-Salt-Water. Just do some searching on removing tarnish from brass.
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it's just brass oxidization...it will clean up. Just means it wasn't prepped for storage.

If you're going to tumble it, be very careful and only do a few rounds at a time...there have been instances of detonation...a vibratory tumbler would be better than a rotary tumbler. I've done it before...10-20 rounds at a time and never an issue, it was a vibratory tumbler

If you're really worried you can just use brass polish cloth, brazzo and do it by hand.

you can soak it in a solution- If I recall correctly, Vinegar-Salt-Water. Just do some searching on removing tarnish from brass.</div></div>


reference one instance of detonation from tumbling loaded ammo
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">easy to find, just do a little research. </div></div>


How do you suppose manufacturers get their loaded rounds so clean before going into the boxes?

They're not doing 10-20 at a time, either.

I've personally read of more detonations due to people tossing their loaded rounds into a bucket, or ammo can, than I've read people blowing up their tumblers, tumbling loaded ammo.

Also, why do you suggest 10-20 rounds only and not 30-40? Does something bad happen with a bit more ammo in the tumbler. Better odds with smaller batches? Quantify?

Chris


 
Re: Blue Corrosion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">easy to find, just do a little research. </div></div>

No, not internet myths, but factual, with pictures, actual detonations of ammo in a tumbler (usually just a vibrating dish that everyone calls a tumbler today).

There's lots of "I know a guy who------" type posts out there but nothing that is backed up with fact and pictures.

As for the blue corrosion mentioned in the OP, rub some off with a piece of steel wool and see how deep it goes. Sometimes it can get pretty nasty and eat away a good portion of the case metal, leaving it more like lace than a solid piece of brass.
 
Re: Blue Corrosion

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also, why do you suggest 10-20 rounds only and not 30-40? Does something bad happen with a bit more ammo in the tumbler. Better odds with smaller batches? Quantify?

Chris


</div></div>Fact is that there's less "banging around" the more rounds there are.

Maybe there's a feeling that too many rounds in the same tumbler will achieve some kind of critical mass.