HELP WITH BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE CASES!
Guy's I have a Mauser 71/84 in 43 Mauser.
I wanted to reload for it and found dies, cast bullets and some cases formed from 348 Winchester brass.
6 of the cases have been fired and have a greenish/blue residue of crud inside the case and around the neck.
My question are these cases ruined? If not, how is the best way to clean them for reloading?
This old guy has a fantastic bore and the loads I've found in the lyman cast bullet manual looks great!
I wonder if this guy and load would qualify for blackpowder cowboy shooting? I know that I've seen tons of Trapdoor Springfields!
It is a shame to see what a quality weapon and load the Germans had fielded by 1870's with bolt action repeaters compared to our single shots!
Thanks for your help and insight!
i woudln't worry about a little corrosion. But if it's a LOT, and there's pitting, might be best to pitch it.
My old man shot some BP .45-60 rounds, waited 6 months, then gave them to me for reloading. They were pretty bad, but nothing that some time in the tumbler and ultrasonic cleaning did not fix. They still look like crap, but are structurally sound. Have reloaded and fired some a few times with no problems.
You need to clean the cases as soon as possible after you fire them.
Take a large coffee can w/lid.
Make up a solution of 2/3rds water/ 1/3rd plain old white vinegar.
Put in coffee can.
As you shoot, drop the dirty cases into the can. Seal the lid when traveling back home.
Allow them to soak for a no more than a couple of hours. The vinegar neutralizes the salts in the BP fouling.
You don't want to leave the brass in the solution too long or it will etch the brass.
Once you're home rinse the cases thoroughly with freshwater. I use a plastic kitchen colander on this step.
Set the cases out to dry.
Then tumble and reload as needed.
Thanks guys! They were already fired and turned when I got them.
I had hopped they would be ok since the 43 Mauser cases are like hen's teeth. Almost impossible to find.
I guess I really need to try and learn how to make and form my own.
Originally Posted By HellifIknow:
You need to clean the cases as soon as possible after you fire them.
Take a large coffee can w/lid.
Make up a solution of 2/3rds water/ 1/3rd plain old white vinegar.
Put in coffee can.
As you shoot, drop the dirty cases into the can. Seal the lid when traveling back home.
Allow them to soak for a no more than a couple of hours. The vinegar neutralizes the salts in the BP fouling.
You don't want to leave the brass in the solution too long or it will etch the brass.
Once you're home rinse the cases thoroughly with freshwater. I use a plastic kitchen colander on this step.
Set the cases out to dry.
Then tumble and reload as needed.
An old plastic milk jug works great. Lid screws on, stays on. Easy to shake.
Originally Posted By shadawick:
Thanks guys! They were already fired and turned when I got them.
I had hopped they would be ok since the 43 Mauser cases are like hen's teeth. Almost impossible to find.
I guess I really need to try and learn how to make and form my own.
Buffalo Arms Is where you get brass. It's not cheap but better than none at all.
I'm not a big fan of Vinegar (an acid) to clean my brass. I just use a dash of soap to cut the grease.
Originally Posted By Green_Canoe:
Originally Posted By shadawick:
Thanks guys! They were already fired and turned when I got them.
I had hopped they would be ok since the 43 Mauser cases are like hen's teeth. Almost impossible to find.
I guess I really need to try and learn how to make and form my own.
Buffalo Arms Is where you get brass. It's not cheap but better than none at all.
I'm not a big fan of Vinegar (an acid) to clean my brass. I just use a dash of soap to cut the grease.
Thanks for the link! Yep, they are expensive, that's why I hated to loose those 6 cases!
