Ever accidently tumble a live round, or two??

[Overdrawn]

The powder break down was more of a concern of mine than a bullet going off in the tumbler. Tumbled thousands of live rounds over the last forty some years, sometimes tumbled for hours. Occassionally would pull a bullet to check the powder, it would be as it was when put in the case. However anything can happen, don't take anything for granted, my loadings were most cylindrical H/IMR powders, other powders might break down & cause higher pressures but I never had any in mine. I have old loaded steel jacket military cartridges in the tumbler now that have to come out, hope the paint is still on the bullets.

 

[bnz43]

I have tumbled quite a few rounds over the years to remove dirt, oil, and other comtaminates with no ill effects. I don't usually tumble them for a long period of time just long enough to cleam them up. If the round has corrosion in the brass that does not clean up with light tumbling I discard the round.

 

[gwalchmai]

I was watching Mythbusters the other day and they were testing a MaGuyver thing in which he blew a door up by emptying six .38 SPL rounds into the lock and then whacking the empty case to set it off. They beat the living **** out of cases with gun butts trying to set them off but couldn't do it. They headstamps were beaten off but not primers went off because they were seated properly.

The internet myth about powder characteristics being changed comes up a lot and, as noted, has been thoroughly debunked.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Just 10 min ago. Not the first tiem either ;-)

 

[EricInAZ]

Well, I just did. Scared the **** out of me after I pulled them out of the media separater. Was cleaning up some 38 brass for the K38 with some corn cob lizard litter i decided to try, heard from some of you that it works as well - it did.
I looked and said oh s**t when i found two live rounds in the mix but they didn't go off.
Should i fire them or pull the bullets?

So, what handloads do you feed your K38?

Last weekend, my Dad relinquished his model 14-3 to me, having switched to a model 52 about the time the K38 trigger wore out a few years ago.

Deal was that if I get it fixed, it's mine. A trip across town to a well respected & competent Smith 'smith & it functions as new.

 

[EricInAZ]

Well, I just did. Scared the **** out of me after I pulled them out of the media separater. Was cleaning up some 38 brass for the K38 with some corn cob lizard litter i decided to try, heard from some of you that it works as well - it did.
I looked and said oh s**t when i found two live rounds in the mix but they didn't go off.
Should i fire them or pull the bullets?

So, what handloads do you feed your K38?

Last weekend, my Dad relinquished his model 14-3 to me, having switched to a model 52 about the time the K38 trigger wore out a few years ago.

Deal was that if I get it fixed, it's mine. A trip across town to a well respected & competent Smith 'smith & it now functions as new.

 

[MKT]

I've never accidentally tumbled a live round but I have indeed INTENTIONALLY tumbled live rounds... no ill effect.

Exactly what I was gonna say.

 

[LTC]

I have unintensionally, occasionally put a live round in the tumbler from range brass pick ups. No ill effect to report.

LTC

 

[Snowbandit]

I tumble all my rifle rounds after reloading to remove case lube. Never had a problem and I've done thousands.

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Happened to me recently. Tumbled a whack of 9mm brass and found a live round in the mix after having let it run for a few hours. That round has since been fired.

 

[grub348]

My storm and strife tumbled two of my loaded speedloaders in the gas dryer for quite some time. Both had also gone through the wash machine. I decided to try to fire them in a model 686. I'm happy to report ALL 12 went bang and hit the target, although I know I was flinching in anticipation of my gun blowing up. I also clean my reloaded rifle rounds in my tumbler, no problems....

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Yep..........do it all the time.

 

[Max2005]

Have done it a lot with old 455 Dominion rounds to clean up - up to a couple hours at a time; no ill effects at all, and again, have done this for years!