What does the color brass represent in ammunition?

Brass is a common color associated with standard ball or dummy ammunition. In military terminology, "ball" ammunition refers to projectiles designed for training or combat, typically with a lead core and a copper jacket, which gives it a brass appearance due to the brass casing.

Dummy ammunition, which is used for training and does not contain explosive or projectile characteristics, also often has a similar coloration for consistency with standard live rounds. The use of brass as a color for this type of ammunition helps to easily identify it as standard and non-specialized, further supporting operational readiness and weapons handling training. Identifying ammunition types through their casing colors can help personnel quickly discern the purpose of the rounds they are handling.