Ammo Through The Washing Machine Again!

[Col Defender]

Well, for the second time I have left a speed loader full of .38 +P's in my shorts pocket and sent them through the washing machine! The last time I just pitched the ammo because I was afraid that even if I relegated it to practice purposes, I might end up with a squib half way down the barrel.

But does anyone here really know whether such ammo can safely be used for any purpose? Throwing it away is no big deal - I certainly don't need to take chances just to save 5 rounds.

Thanks

Steve

 

[cp1969]

You could always disassemble it and save the case and bullet. But I would just shoot it. You can always drive a squib out of the barrel and I think the probability of getting a squib is really low, especially with factory ammo.

 

[jlanecole]

I've shot several rounds that went through the washer in a speed strip. They all seemed to work just fine, but I checked the barrel between each shot to make sure the bullet made it out.

 

[Alk8944]

Just shoot it. Don't worry about checking the barrel unless you notice something odd about the shot, like no apparent recoil. I guarantee you will notice the difference.

I would replace it for carry ammunition and relegate it to plinking/practice.

 

[ACP230]

My wife washed my hunting coat last month. Afterward, she found one of my .250 Savage reloads in the bottom of the washer. We figure it spent about a half hour sloshing around.

I took my deer rifle, some ammo that had always been dry, and the laundered round to the range last week. It fired, sounded the same as two other dry rounds, and grouped with them at 25 yards.

I figured it would fire but was glad to get it out of the supply I'm keeping for next deer season.

 

[tpd223]

I often wash my loaded Speed Strips by accident, and have often washed loose rounds in my jeans pockets, never had an issue with the rounds being squibs or not firing.

 

[kscardsfan]

Try it. Worst case you get a squib, you can save the rest and pull the bullets for component use.

 

[NE450No2]

If you have access to a reloading scale, try this.

Weigh 5 rounds of the same load that have NOT been in the washer...

Then weigh the rounds that have been in the washer.

If they washed rounds do not weigh more they will probably safe to shoot. I would used them for practice.

If they weigh more they probably have leaked in some water.

 

[Col Defender]

Thanks

Thanks for the encouragement guys. 5 rounds downrange and 5 good hits. No problems at all.

Steve

 

[Stillwater788]

I shot five rounds today that I had washed - and dryed. The only difference I noticed was that my gun was much cleaner than usaul after shooting.