Black Powder In Unfired Brass Cartridge...does it cause corrosion?

I understand that firing black powder can eventually cause corrosion if the firearm is not cleaned. When brass cases are loaded with black powder does any corrosion occur to unfired brass over time? Say, I load up a box of cartridges with black powder, is there any concern with sitting them on the shelf for an extended period of time?

Thanks

No. I have shot ammo that had been loaded for ten years with no problems.

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Originally Posted by Southern Shooter

I understand that firing black powder can eventually cause corrosion if the firearm is not cleaned. When brass cases are loaded with black powder does any corrosion occur to unfired brass over time? Say, I load up a box of cartridges with black powder, is there any concern with sitting them on the shelf for an extended period of time?

Thanks

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black will sit in a metal container for 1000 years and not degrade or react with brass or steel if the temps stay reasonable and the container is sealed. I have a 100 year old powder can with original paper and contents in 4F. it is as potent today as the day it was made. your brass can stay loaded for just as long provided that it is stored under dry cool conditions.

corrosion occurs after firing because the priming is metallic salt based, and the carbon fouling of the powder is hygroscopic, attracting water. before firing and sealed from atmospheric moisture there is no cause for reaction.

The powder itself is not corrosive. The residue released upon burning is corrosive. Ammunition loaded with black powder has a very long shelf life. There are many accounts of cartridges that were one hundred years old or older that fired just as if they had been loaded yesterday.

SS

I'll correct that - the fouling from BP is NOT corrosive - it is hygroscopic (attracts moisture), which will cause corrosion.

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Originally Posted by martinibelgian

I'll correct that - the fouling from BP is NOT corrosive - it is hygroscopic (attracts moisture), which will cause corrosion.

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:) that's like saying humidity in the atmosphere is corrosive but the chlorates and any number of other complex chems in BP fouling are not corrosive.

I recently was given several 45-70 cases, I believe were new win loaded with a sub maby pyrodex rs. They all were ugly inside so i cleaned them in a wet tumbler and loaded with black, when fired most split vertically close to the base of the original bullet which is now in the neck aera.

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Originally Posted by fouronesix

:) that's like saying humidity in the atmosphere is corrosive but the chlorates and any number of other complex chems in BP fouling are not corrosive.

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just like anything if the mosture is keep out it wo,nt rust.try it burn some black powder on some steel and put it buy the wood stove were it will stay dry.

I have had corrosion in the brass case due to the lube on the gg bullet after one year.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

I too have noticed green corrosion at case mouth with loaded smokeless ammo..some less than 1 year old..I am using Anhydrous lanolin in a beeswax base lube & I wonder if the lanolin is re-hydrating from atmosphere?

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Originally Posted by fouronesix

:) that's like saying humidity in the atmosphere is corrosive but the chlorates and any number of other complex chems in BP fouling are not corrosive.

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Perchlorates and other products will actively cause corrosion without requring humidity, so there the residue itself is corrosive - it doesn't need water to be corrosive.

no - be mindful of the temperature and the daily temp swings. This can and will work harden the brass a tad. Over long periods of time, you brass may get brittle. keep it out of the sun.