can you clean lead bullets?

[imakmst]

I bought a box of 500 ct Nevada Bob 200gr SWC in .45 ACP from a guy cleaning out his extras. He said he didn't remember when he bought the box, he had it so long. I got it for a deal and brought em home. The bullets in the bottom half of the box are all speckled and covered with white-lookin spots. They rub off with a rag.

Question: is there a easy way to clean em? Anybody else seen this speckled stuff on old bullets?

Thanks in advance

[Engineer1911]

Load 'em and shoot 'em. Cleaning bullets is women's work. The oxidation wiil have no effect on performance or accuracy. I had a can full of sized and lubed bullets get wet in a rain storm, same thing happened as yours. No problems with the bullets after they were dumped out to dry off.

[imakmst]

Originally Posted by Engineer1911

Load 'em and shoot 'em.

That's my kind of answer

thanks

[SOFMatchstaff]

The white stuff is most likely Oxide of lead, much more toxic than handling bright bullets. Dont handle them any more than you have to and then clean up thoroughly. I clean the oxide off of shot with a dilute solution of lime away or similar cleaner, dont know what it would do to the lube tho.. Might try a towel dampened in the chemical solution, see- saw back an forth a bit, rinse the same way, and see what happens.

[Michael J. Spangler]

you could always use latex gloves when reloading them.
then tumble your finished ammunition if you wanted them cleaned up a bit.

i say shoot em as is

[mtgianni]

The danger with lead is when it enters your body. In an oxide with loose particles it is easier to enter. You can wipe them off but make sure that your hands do not go to eyes, nose or mouth when you are doing so. There is nothing wrong with shooting them as is outdoors. Indoors they will add to particles in the air to be removed by your ranges system. WD-40 on a paper towel or rag or any machine oil will help pull them off the bullets. If you use a rag toss it when you are done. Don't smoke during the process. They are OK to melt as is if you are a caster but I don't get that from your post. Use common sense and you will be fine.

[David LaPell]

I would just shoot them, they'll hit the target clean or dirty.