308 Brass question

[ajvigs]

I got a phone call from my kid brother back in CT and he informed me he had found a box of shooting gear, and inside of it was 4-5 boxes of 308 casings from either the Remington Model 7 or 700 I used to own a couple years back.

Now, my question is, this brass has been sitting for a while, so is it safe to re-use? And if so, what will I have to do to get it set for use with either the 308 I picked up, or better yet for the MRC 7mm08?

 

[DrMike]

Now, my question is, this brass has been sitting for a while, so is it safe to re-use? And if so, what will I have to do to get it set for use with either the 308 I picked up, or better yet for the MRC 7mm08?

Your answer is "Yes, the brass is safe." All you need do is full-length resize so it will fit your new rifle (either the .308 or the 7mm 08). After firing in the new chamber, you will be able to neck size to preserve the brass for longer.

 

[BeeTee]

Quite a while ago I bought a thousand once-fired Lake City 223 military brass that had been produced 20 years earlier. Other than those I gave away to other shooters, I'm still using them without a problem.... I've not heard of a shelf life for brass. As long as there is no evidence of corrosion, I'd say there may not be a shelf life. BT

 

[ajvigs]

What are signs of corrosion in a case?

 

[DrMike]

What are signs of corrosion in a case?

Deep discolouration (usually a dark green as the copper oxidizes). It erodes the copper itself, eating below the surface of the brass.

 

[PJGunner]

Back around 1966/67 I bought 600 rounds of WW2 30-06 brass. I still have some of that brass and am still loading it. Properly stored, brass should be OK for longer than any of us might live. :lol:
Paul B.