doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Name that brass...

Back when the world was flat I used to buy 8x57jrs reloads from a gentleman in Fort Worth, TX. He offered them in at least two bullet weights set in unmarked brass cases which were the brightest yellow color I have ever seen. Someone at the time suggested it was RWS, but purchasing some of that recently rules it out. Norma more so than RWS has a really copper color. Now I am stumped as to the origin of the bright yellow brass--and here is the kicker....it lasts an ungodly long time, reloading. I still have some of it, and my little home made tool still shows it to be devoid of incipient head separation! Can't say that of any others. Anyone have an idea what it might have been? I would sure like some more of it...Steve

Steve,
Your description of the color reminds me of a case cleaner in use in the 60sand 70s, but it would go away with use and polishing. The lack of headstamps could mean he bought a large quantity of basic cases( such as 9.3x74R) from some manufacturer and made all his rimmed ammo from it. No headstanps would be both cheaper and less confusing. If so, his source would be known only to him. When I make .310 cadet and 8.15x46R cases, I thin the rims from the back; a surprisingly small amount of thinning removes the headstamps. Maybe he used a different caliber case and thinned the rims. It was common to use 30-40 Krag cases, in spite of smaller headsize. This would show up with expansion ahead of the web. Lathe turned cases color could be yellow if turned from brass. Such cases could be identified by inspecting the inside of the case, and would be expensive.
Of course both of us know the above is pure speculation as I have never seen the cases.
Mike

Mike: Not turned cases as far as I can tell--I had not considered that he might have thinned the rims. Probably a white buffalo now. Thanks