That link was on the thread that you didn't need to search for.

quote:

originally posted by 243winxb:
Do not use vinegar or ammonia to clean cartridge brass. I now use only ALL free & clear laundry detergent with water.

The other issue that came up was that some dishwashing liquids contain ammonia.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
That link was on the thread that you didn't need to search for.

quote:

originally posted by 243winxb:
Do not use vinegar or ammonia to clean cartridge brass. I now use only ALL free & clear laundry detergent with water.

The other issue that came up was that some dishwashing liquids contain ammonia.

Although I don't use dishsoap with ammonia (and I wonder if you're talking about dish washer soap with is lots different) I highly doubt that one or two drops in a large volume of solution is going to make a difference when store bought supermarket ammonia is so diluted it's worthless. Wonder what the Tide you use to clean your cases has in it?

I think 243winxb's solution is the way to go. He uses All and water. I use a similar solution just to quickly remove dirt before sizing. Not for getting them shiny which is unnecessary

quote:

to quickly remove dirt before sizing. Not for getting them shiny which is unnecessary

This is the crux of case cleaning.....we all like shiny....it's part of the human nature to like that.....but the objective here is clean.....and that should not be forgotten.

I normally reload in groups of from five to 25 for hunting loads.....and more often five as I'm just trying new loads for shits and giggles. However I may clean cases in groups of several hundred.

For this I use (usually) gasoline. About a pint in an ice cream bucket with a couple hundred cases and cover and shake rattle and roll for about 20 seconds.

Screen out the cases and blow dry with an air hose.

I still have the tumbler and both walnut and corncob media that is charged with a product I get from Lyman.....it can put a serious shine on them but isn't at all necessary nor does it help anything at all.

I suspect there is some attacking of the brass by the gasoline but IMO 20 seconds of agitation has never effected the brass so I could notice.

Years ago when I worked in a hi production screw machine shop (making parts for Herters) we used brass tubing to direct high sulphur cutting oil to the cutting tools for increased tool life and it worked very well.....but the cutting oils attacked the brass so violently that they had to be replaced every few weeks as the brass no longer was able to be bent to position....it merely broke!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Years ago when I worked in a hi production screw machine shop (making parts for Herters) we used brass tubing to direct high sulphur cutting oil to the cutting tools for increased tool life and it worked very well.....but the cutting oils attacked the brass so violently that they had to be replaced every few weeks as the brass no longer was able to be bent to position....it merely broke!

From what I've read, it's called "stress corrosion cracking".

If any solvents or solutions are applied to the brass that contain an acetic PH or any ammonia, they attack the brass and the zinc it contains. Obviously the longer the period of time the solution remains in contact with the brass, the more it is effected. It is effected to some degree even with minimal contact times.

I see no reason to use a solution like these. If I want shiny brass, I'll tumble in media.

My "tarnished" brass shoots 1/2" groups and will last longer.