Dear Sagacious; I too use Citric Acid + drop of Dawn, however I left a batch of brass in the 'soup' for 1.5 days & brass finish was permanently 'damaged'; didn't have the patience to do a 'load eval'. They jes looked terrible. I can send a pic if yu like.
Wally
Been loading 6.5 CM for ELD, learning to load Mosin Nagant & .308/7.62x51
Caster & CWW / Lead miner.
Mountain Mold 45-70-405, 80% Meplat, sized .461" dia. for Marlin 1895GS
Lyman mold #429421 "Elmer Keith" style 255gr, Dbl Cavity; [for .44 Mag, S&W 629, Alox lubed]
Lyman #356402, 9mm, Sngl Cavity [for a friend]
LEE #90282, 12ga Drive Key, 7/8oz Slug [for: Son's 3-Gun]
LEE #90349, 452-255RF, 6 Cavity [for 45 Colt & 45 ACP; Alox lubed]
LEE #90697, 453-200RF, ditto
Trying not to be wasteful I tried to continue using the same batch of citric acid solution for several days. I knew I would have many small groups of brass in various states of preparation and different calibers/cartridges. It turns out that the solution doesn’t keep well. It grew at least three different kinds of laboratory experiments. There was clear slimy growth, green/white mold and some bright orange stuff. I hadn’t seen anything like that since deliberately growing molds in high school biology class.
Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris
I didn't know that would harm the brass?
Still some LHD's that are steam powered as well as diesel MCM's, LSD's and LPD's.
Qui tacet consentire videtur
Retired Navy (1966-2004)
NRA Life member (1994)
CRPA member
SBR&GC member
I have had FAIR results with Citric Acid cleaner on Smokeless brass. but poor results on Black Powder residue removal. I am using two tablespoons per Qt. in almost boiling water and leaving the brass in there for about three minutes then I fresh wash it completely. I then have to tumble it in Corn media and the inside is still crusted. What am I doing wrong?
Good Post! I have to agree...it works a treat! Like Brassmonkey said: it needs a little watching, and a bit'll do ya!
IT IS A FINE AND PLEASANT MADNESS !
Does cleaning with citric acid do away with the need to tumble?
Sorry I haven't gone through all 47 pages of this thread but I'm wondering.....
I use 2 teaspoons of the FA brass cleaner per pint of water and drop my fired cases in the jug after at the range. It seems to get the BP fouling out quicker with this presoak. Then I wet tumble. If you don’t wet tumble, you need to brush out the cases while still wet, then rinse.
In the UK we have a product called Cilitbang. I’m sure your have an equivalent….it’s a general bathroom/ kitchen cleaner and no big deal. It shines brass instantly but I add hot water and liquid soap to control it.
I am dealing with an issue currently
I put in about 200 30-30 brass that was fairly clean, 1F, and dull colored, into my Lyman liquid tumbler, with 1 tsp citric acid + 1 tsp Nu Finish + 1/2 tsp dawn + hot water to cover by half, tumbled for a couple hours
now I have this BLACK GOO on EVERYTHING
it washes off my hands OK, but ALL the cases are BLACK like soot
So.... in the machine again, this time with more dawn, more CA, and no NF. SAME BLACK GOO on everything. stuck my hand in during the rinse, and my fingers came out totally BLACK
So.... in the machine again, this time with MORE dawn, MORE CA, and MORE NF.... set for 2 hours.... Ima hitting the sack. will check tomo!
anyone have an idea where that black goo is coming from? it is literally acting like soot, and the water is not black like it usually is.
Not enough soap?
I am ONLY responsible for what I Say!
I am NOT responsible for what You THINK I Said!
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If numbers killed I'd hunt with a Calculator!
I'm not a chemist but I'd have to question what chemical reaction is taking place with all that stuff.
I use an ultrasonic cleaner with the citric acid. Only citric acid. I don't have any problems and all my cases come out clean, including primer pockets. They're not mirror shinny, but who is gonna see 'em?
The citric acid powder is mixed 2 teaspoons to a quart of water, plus 2 drops of Dawn. Tap water, not hot. Fully cleaned in 30 minutes.
I don’t tumble brass. I size and decap with a carbide die, then wash with lemon juice+water+dawn, let dry for 24 hours, then reload.
*
I only shoot pistols and I don’t compete. YMMV
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |