Quote:
Originally Posted by ajgunner
I have some old ammo hanging around the bench like most of us do.
Would you clean them up or leave them as is?
If I ran them in the tumbler with walnut would it mess up the bullet or be ok?
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Depends on what you intend to ultimately do with them.
For shooting I would clean up the brass just a little to get any dirt or dust off, leaving the surface smooth.
I'd do this with a rag, possibly with a little alcohol on it.
Don't worry about any stains, they won't effect the seal.
Real corrosion of the brass: Don't shoot em as the brass is now weaker.
For display leave them as is.
Especially if the lead bullets are starting to corrode and turn white, I would not tumble them.
Tumbling loaded rounds is an often discussed subject here.
Search the threads.
I won't do it but many others will.
I keep all my loaded ammo in 50 round plastic cases (or the original factory boxes).
After a few years or decades they can oxidize and look tarnished.
As long as the surface is smooth, they will shoot just fine.
Real corrosion like from water damage needs to be cleaned off and then the decision made as to whether you think they are safe.
Any pitting of the brass and I'd say not safe.