Crusty Ammo

[bananaman]

I bought a box of misc. stuff at a flea mkt this morning. Old ammo is present. Some is pretty crusty. (lead & brass) Is there a good way to clean it up safely? I thought that I read somewhere people tumbling loaded ammo. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

 

[Watchdog]

I bought a box of misc. stuff at a flea mkt this morning. Old ammo is present. Some is pretty crusty. (lead & brass) Is there a good way to clean it up safely? I thought that I read somewhere people tumbling loaded ammo. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

This article from American Hunter should answer your question about tumbling.

Of course, it's up to you to determine just what a "reasonable amount" of tumbling is.

 

[30-30remchester]

Tumbling excessively changes the burning rates of the powder and makes the powder faster burning and can create explosive results. Yea yea I know, your gun nut uncle did it ALL the time and it didn't effect him. I also knew a stunt pilot that regularly did hammer head stalls, even though he was advised against it. As he said I have done over 50 without any problems. Number 59 made his wife a widow and his children fatherless. There are other ways to clean.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Are you sure they aren't reloads? I probably wouldn't take a chance on crusty ammo. Just sayin', old ammo yeah, if I knew it was factory loaded, but the corrosion could have weakened the cases, causing a dangerous situation.

Can you post pics?

 

[bananaman]

Tumbled a good amount. Threw out some .22's, .38's, and a few .45's. The cases were the issue. Many cleaned up with never dull. The box investment was only $35. I would say after dumping bad stuff there is still $80+ of stuff there. New in boxes 9mm. 2 586 speed loaders & pouch. Un-opened pellet gun stuff. The guy I bought it from said there would be more next week! Bob

 

[glowe]

. . . I probably wouldn't take a chance on crusty ammo . . . the corrosion could have weakened the cases, causing a dangerous situation.

I agree and disagree. I would get out the bullet puller and go at them. Sure you can use a wire brush and clean them up enough to shoot, but what kind of performance do you expect? If you deconstruct them, you may have some good brass and maybe even good bullets once polished up in the tumbler.

As to corroded cases being dangerous, I would disagree. First, it would have to be a very rare condition where the brass would be corroded so badly the there are holes in the case. Most patina on brass will actually protect the material underneath. The problems that would most likely be encountered would be split cases, which are a real pain to remove, as well as seperated brass that can "weld" itself to the chamber.

My most dangerous concern would be having the bullet get stuck in the barrel from improper ignition and not knowing it. The possibility that they are someone's reloads would also be enough to stop me from shooting them.

 

[bananaman]

I am not hurting for brass. The cases that were really bad were nickel. I had just bought close to 600, once fired .38 special cases. Bob