Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
1/29/2004 5:41:04 PM EDT
I keep my .308 clips in a leather pouch on my belt, I think the pouch is German .mil issue. The outside rounds in each clip get that green crud on them. Short of not storing the clips in the pouch is there a solution? Maybe some kind of leather treatment?
1/29/2004 9:54:16 PM EDT
[#1]
I am not sure, but I think verdigris is caused by moisture, whether from sweat or the atmosphere. Maybe throw a pack or 2 of "Do Not Eats" in your pouch?
1/30/2004 3:15:44 AM EDT
[#2]
Rotate your ammo a little more often. Seriously, what you are talking about is something LEO's had to deal with for decades when we had leather duty gear.Officers did stupid things like using furniture polish, brasso, etc on duty rounds  to shine them up because they had administrations that were more concerned with appearance than functionality...then when those officers actually had to USE that ammo, they found that it often wasnt functional due to the various home treatments the rounds had been subjected to.
Learn from history and don't make the same mistakes.
1/30/2004 5:50:17 AM EDT
[#3]
I bet wolf wouldnt do that ? [B)]
1/30/2004 7:57:38 AM EDT
[#4]
I remember reading something in the American Rifleman years ago (back in the '60s) covering this subject.

IIRC, the problem comes from what the leather is tanned with.  I don't remember the names of the chemicals involved but the result of using them means your ammunition ends up being stored in something that is acidic enough to cause the verdigris.

Solutions to this problem include switching to nylon pouches or only loading your leather ones just before going out to the range.

Hope this helps.
1/30/2004 8:31:26 AM EDT
[#5]
Could you rinse leather with a baking soda wash to neutralize the acid?  would it ruin the leather?  Would it help.
1/30/2004 8:57:02 AM EDT
[#6]
Oil the leather.  It will soak it up and will not harm quality leather.

My dad had the same problem.  (Ruger single-six and rounds in a leather holster)...
1/30/2004 9:40:37 AM EDT
[#7]
Cobb's post is 'onto' the issue here and it has to do with the acids and associated chemicals in the leather.  For this very same reason, pistol/revolver ammunition manufacturers in the 20's started to nickle plate cartridge cases that police carried in their leather belt loops----they, too would have verdigris form on their brass cartridges.

I would suggest that you 'dump' the leather and go with nylon.
1/30/2004 12:45:21 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Rotate your ammo a little more often.
View Quote


It takes less than a week for this happen, seems a little accelerated even from what I remember about leather gear and brass cases. This is my grab and go stuff so (given my memory) I'd hate to keep the ammo separate from the pouches.

I'm familiar with "Barney Fife green" having encountered it quite bit. Sadly, I still see it in some of the more rural departments here. Familiar with the demand for nickel case ammo too, up here in the Great Northwet. [:)] All of my loads (in clips) are USGI hence brass case.

Cobb,

As for switching to nylon, I would if I could, there's just not a lot of options to carry .308 clips on a belt.

u-baddog,

I doubt Wolf would either, until the varnish wore off, then it would rust. Unfortunately Wolf doesn't sell AP, tracer, and API loads in .308.

slacko,

I'll get some oil and give it a try, nothing to lose.
2/1/2004 7:53:30 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Cobb's post is 'onto' the issue here and it has to do with the acids and associated chemicals in the leather.[blue]  For this very same reason, pistol/revolver ammunition manufacturers in the 20's started to nickle plate cartridge cases that police carried in their leather belt loops----they, too would have verdigris form on their brass cartridges. [/blue]

I would suggest that you 'dump' the leather and go with nylon.
View Quote


[blue]Learn something new every day here. [/blue]Love this place.
2/1/2004 7:59:40 AM EDT
[#10]
I have a canvas Garand clip web belt that would be perfect for you to use. I think I got it from Cheaper Than Dirt. Since I don't have a Garand yet, I use it to store 7.62mmx54mm Russian ammo on clips.
2/1/2004 8:20:26 AM EDT
[#11]
Vinegar and salt will remove verdigris.  Its what I use for old sling hardware on surplus rifles.

What kind of clips do you mean? Like 10rd stripper clips?  
2/1/2004 9:07:26 AM EDT
[#12]
Sounds like Tweak had a yeast infection on his holster belt and BayEagle has the perfect douche mix....[lol]

Quoted:
Vinegar and salt will remove verdigris.  Its what I use for old sling hardware on surplus rifles.

What kind of clips do you mean? Like 10rd stripper clips?  
View Quote
2/1/2004 2:40:08 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
What kind of clips do you mean? Like 10rd stripper clips?  
View Quote



5 round .308 clips for my Enfield.