Reloading brass color question-NEWBIE

[Schu]

I have recently started reloading. I currently use a 650 and I am only reloading 40 S&W. The brass for S&W look great. I've shot each of them several times with no major difference on the brass color patterns after tumbling.

My question is based around 223. I just purchased 1k of "once fired" brass. Most of the brass looks like it has been neck trimmed. The concerning question is that the color from the "necked" down area is much darker....almost a brown color. (The base of the brass still shines)

I have run it through my tumbler (cv-2001) with rapid polish 290 for about 3 hours...no change to the dark brown...

My questions.

1. Is this typical on rifle brass?

2. Does the color change indicate that this brass has been fired a lot?

3. Is there a safety concern over the darker colored brass? (does the darker color indicate that some of the material from the brass is worn off and therefore weaker?)

Any other questions or concerns that I should have, but as a newbie...I don't know the right question to ask?!?!

[bradandash925]

My personal opinion is you brass is good to go as long as there are no dents and cracks. Lube, Resize, Trim, and load it up.

[a.roberts]

The darker color is most likely from annealing. Don't worry about it.

[RDA]

The darker color is most likely from annealing. Don't worry about it.

This. It is a good thing.