Black Powder - keeping cases clean

[JohndeFresno]

I am currently reading the classic, "Sixgun Cartridges and Loads" by Elmer Keith, available as a Kindle (electronic reader) book. Although quite dated - like Mr. Keith's concerns with mercuric primers in all but "Klean-Bore" ammunition - it still has an astounding amount of information that is still very relevant. Having said all that, below is his advice on keeping those brass cases clean when shooting black powder.

Any comments or new ideas?

"If you have used black powder, the cases must be cleaned as soon as possible after firing. A can or jar of water comes in very handy on the target range. Drop the fired cases into this container as soon as ejected from the gun. Then decap and wash them out in a strong, boiling soda solution, rinse in boiling water and dry as rapidly as possible without heating them too much. Black powder residue corrodes very soon and will eat away the brass if left unchecked, completely ruining the cases for future use."

[milton]

John,What Elmer suggested is what I have done in the past.Take a look at this site to see what is produced in the combustion of black powder :http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/07/02/ ... gunpowder/ . The main problem product is potassium carbonate.You can also look up the chemical properties of both potassium carbonate and potassium sulfate to see what problem they might cause .The other products are gasses.Hope this helps.

[JohndeFresno]

Thanks, Milton.

[vancelw]

I know several people who use Murphy's Oil Soap in a bucket of water at the range, and just drop the empty cases right in there after they remove them from the gun. They say it makes it much easier to clean them when they finally get home.

This is a timely topic. I'm about to embark on a quest to shoot more black powder out of some of the guns I have that are in calibers that where originally BP. What has held me up was the search for black powder in my area.... Finally found some.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

To help stop the corrosive salts I like to use about an ounce of vinegar to about a quart of water to drop them in at the range. The acidity of the vinegar help neutralize the salts.

[Richardx]

+1 on the vinegar

[Ray Newman]

I de-cap and re-size upon returning from the range. The cases then washed and scrubbed in hot, soapy water with a test brush from Buffalo Arms.

To dry, cases are placed in scrap piece of 1/4” plywood with the appropriated sized holes bored through to hold the cases upside down to drain. While upside down, take a Q-Tip and remove the fouling from the primer pocket.

To completely remove all residue and polish the cases, I wash/tumbler them in a Tumblers Tumbler and ceramic media. Cases – inside and out – as well as the primer pockets are residue and stain free and look as if they were polished with Brasso.

I found that the ceramic media works best in conjunction with the initial washing and then washing tumble/wash cases in batches of 50-60. A few extra steps, but unlike 45-2.1"/.45-70 brass, .50-70, .45-2.4", and .45 2 7/8" brass is not as plentiful or as economical....

[Griff]

I drop my fired cases in a water/dishsoap solution; dry then decap and proceed to tumble & load with either BP or smokeless.

[Old No7]

Like others, I also drop my fired BP cases into a bottle of water at the range as described and pictured In This Link From An Old Trapdoor Post of Mine.

Good luck, and tight groups.

Old No7

[JohndeFresno]

I've not yet had the opportunity to watch BP shooters, so I was unaware that it is common practice to carry sudsy water or equivalent to the shoots. Interesting. Thanks for tips and info, all.

[M. M. Wright]

A plastic milk jug or windshield washer fluid jug makes a good container for the range. What NKJ said about using vinegar in the water is good and Griff's advise on de-priming is too.

If you need to buy tumbler media, try to get hold of some well plug walnut hulls. Oilfield roustabouts will know where to get it in your area. 50 pounds for a few bucks and it works FAST so don't leave brass in the tumbler too long. If you know somebody in the oil patch you can probably score a bag for free.

[JohndeFresno]

...If you need to buy tumbler media, try to get hold of some well plug walnut hulls. Oilfield roustabouts will know where to get it in your area...

That's a new one - thanks!

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I de-cap and re-size upon returning from the range. The cases then washed and scrubbed in hot, soapy water with a test brush from Buffalo Arms.

To dry, cases are placed in scrap piece of 1/4” plywood with the appropriated sized holes bored through to hold the cases upside down to drain. While upside down, take a Q-Tip and remove the fouling from the primer pocket.

To completely remove all residue and polish the cases, I wash/tumbler them in a Tumblers Tumbler and ceramic media. Cases – inside and out – as well as the primer pockets are residue and stain free and look as if they were polished with Brasso.

I found that the ceramic media works best in conjunction with the initial washing and then washing tumble/wash cases in batches of 50-60. A few extra steps, but unlike 45-2.1"/.45-70 brass, .50-70, .45-2.4", and .45 2 7/8" brass is not as plentiful or as economical....

Hi Ray,
I've heard it comes out like new. So,Tell me about that ceramic media. I have a tumbler's tumbler but I don't know what or where to get it.

[Ray Newman]

NKJ: yes, the case look new when done with ceramic media. No residue in the primer pockets and no stains, baked on residue, etc., on the inside of the case.

I purchased the media and cleaning solution from Shiloh. Looking on their web page, they list the cleaning solution, but not the media. I use about two capfuls of the solution per batch. It lasts a long time. http://www.shilohrifle.com/shop/home.php?cat=12

Buffalo Arms sells both the the media and cleaning solution.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/Ceramic_Tumb ... x?CAT=3889
http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx? ... 1&CAT=3889

I clean with the angled cut media, enough warm water to cover the media and brass. Water level is about 2" above the brass and media, and about two capfuls of the solution. I found that warm water works best and let it run for about 3 hours. Depending on the water hardness, you might need more or less soap and water. Took a few batches until I found what cleans the best. When done washing, I dump the medial and brass into a large stainless steel colander and rinse it all out with the garden hose. Media does not cling to the case. Have been told that the media will last indefinitely. Being using it for about 9 years now and am well satisfied.

Did not like the wing nuts on the Thumbler's, so I replaced them with small plastic knobs that I purchased from a woodworking supplier.

[Old Time Hunter]

1/2 gallon milk jug (cleaned of course), an ounce or so of vinegar, and a few drops of Dawn concentrate...fill 1/2 the jug up with water and place next to you at the range.

But sometimes I like a marbled, mottled look...those I just drop in plain water.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Thanks, good idea on changing those wingnuts to knobs.