Polishing Brass Bullets / Cartridges

[Olly]

Dear Friends,
There was a passing discussion about Brasso making the brass brittle. Many forums have discussed this issue and the overall opinion that I gather is that Brasso (any polish containing Ammonia) should not be used atleast for shining bullets / cartridges. Now, I have 2 exploded brass cases of .32 S&W L ammo, which I did shine using Brasso over about 3-4 months, prior to firing. But so were many other which remained OK. Was there any link... I have no answer...

The question is what is a better alternative to Brasso for shining the brass of bullets ? We have something called 'Dara' polish and something called 'Pitambari' which are also used for polishing brass.

Any opinion / suggestions on more alternatives,,, as the bullets do not 'look good' after about 2 months of storage...

[penpusher]

Why polish them in the first place.Shiny ones and not so shiny ones work the same.I have never noticed any difference in performance.

[BJL]

Yeah, there isn't actually a need to polish them- all polishing is basically the same process- the removal of a layer (how thick depends on process) from the top that has chemically corroded. The removal of this layer reduces the thickness. In the case of ammunition- the thickness and structural strength of the brass is vital to its functioning, considering the pressures created within it.

So when using an ammonia based brass polisher- you're shining the outside, while making the metal brittle.

Best not to use any polishing at all. It makes no difference.

-- Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:19 pm --

This should be made a sticky- who knows how many others brasso their ammunition.

I guess this is the direct result of the ridiculously tiny ammo quotas, people have ammo lying around a long time cause they can't shoot it, since they have a limit per year, and end up polishing the ammo to at least make it look pretty. Damn those quotas.

[penpusher]

.......and ammonia makes the brass brittle as per the links you had posted earlier.

[BJL]

Yup. Explained here

Leave the brass alone. It doesn't have to be shiny. Just clean.

[Mark]

A little jewelers rouge on a slightly oily cloth will safely make brass nice and shiny.

Don't laugh, but another way is to use toothpaste, not a gel but most any paste that describes itself as "whitening". Here in the states "crest" brand toothpaste was used a lot for polishing silverwork.

(OK, confession time here- when I was little we lived on a Native American Indian reservation for a while. Reservations are sections of land that were never ceded to the USA and have always belonged to the Native American Indian tribe that lived there. Anyway, the people that would make the traditional silverwork would only use the crest toothpaste back then. Looking back now I suspect that it was always used not because it was the best silver polish, but because it was part of the government assistance handouts)


Anyway, after your bullets are shiny rub them with a little paste wax and they'll stay shiny.

[Olly]

I guess this is the direct result of the ridiculously tiny ammo quotas, people have ammo lying around a long time cause they can't shoot it, since they have a limit per year, and end up polishing the ammo to at least make it look pretty. Damn those quotas.

You're gonna make a lot of gents red, especially after they've earned their 'hard to get' quotas....


Mark,
I'll try the toothpaste bit and post again... sounds relatively easy....

[Risala]

Why polish them in the first place.Shiny ones and not so shiny ones work the same.I have never noticed any difference in performance.

I am still trying to figure out the need to polish with whatever

[goodboy_mentor]

One thing is certain that "polished" metal surface is created by taking out very thin layer(microscopic layer) from the surface being polished to reveal fresh, smooth & shiny material. This removal of layer is bound to reduce the diameter of brass casing(though very microscopic), causing gap between casing and chamber resulting in casing taking up pressure of explosion, rather than the pressure getting transferred to chamber walls. Moreover as per the links posted ammonia makes brass brittle, would add up to causing cases to crack. In effect, polishing cartridge cases should be avoided as it does not help getting better performance.

[penpusher]

Why polish them in the first place.Shiny ones and not so shiny ones work the same.I have never noticed any difference in performance.

I am still trying to figure out the need to polish with whatever

Kids like shinny things

[Olly]

Kids don't play with bullets.....

[art_collector]

May be shining cartridges give an inferiority complex to the non shinning ones....

[sagar]

Hello Olly,
In a piece of cloth, Take some SAW-DUST add some drops of KEROSENE to make it a bit moist, Keep the cartridges in it, Fold the cloth over it and Holding the cloth between your palms give it a good rub.
You could also keep the cloth on a table and rub it with your palm.
You could also use 'Rice Husk' instead of Saw-dust.
All the Best.
Thanks.

[BJL]

You're gonna make a lot of gents red, especially after they've earned their 'hard to get' quotas....

Heh. Not really the fault of the Indian shooter for getting stuck with the quotas, just our beautiful logical licensing system. Should really be no need to "earn a quota." There should be none. But then, we all agree with that one.

Here's to no more quotas. And no more brasso, either.

[Olly]

Sagar,
Thanks for the positive contribution to the discussion. Much appreciated !