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old ammo

bakmc3
,,,,,have been given three hundred antique cartridges (black powder/smokeless),,,,,most have a hole in the case (screwed to a display board),,,,majority are primed and powder will trickle out,,,,how can I make these inert/safe,,,,,they range from a .600 Nitro to the smallest .22,,,,,,,
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • bakmc3
    I went to a gun range a while back and took along a couple boxes of 22 ammo I found when cleaning out deceased in-laws house. About one fourth of bullets would not fire. Can anyone tell me how long ammo can should last and still be dependable?
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  • Laredo Lefty
    It can be cleaned, but I would not use a spinning type tumbler but a vibrator tumbler instead. There is much less impact in a vibrator type machine.
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  • Tailgunner1954
    This will cause all sorts of cringing and (usually) starts a major argument, buy YES you can tumble them safely.
    However, most tumblers don't have enough action to get a good polishing action going on loaded ammo (it's to heavy).
    The fastest way is to wash them in a 25% vinegar 75% water solution, rinse in clean water and than towel or air dry (only takes about 5 minutes to "process" a handful size batch
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  • Spartacus
    quote:The fastest way is to wash them in a 25% vinegar 75% water solution, rinse in clean water and than towel or air dry (only takes about 5 minutes to "process" a handful size batch

    same % mixture of Brasso, or similar, and a small nylon scrub brush works well too.
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  • rong
    I was always under the
    impression that if you
    tunmbled live ammo ,all
    the vib and banging would
    change the characteristics
    of the powder
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  • nmyers
    The powder is light, & in a small space. Not much can happen to it when you shake it a little.

    Bakmc3 didn't tell us if he plans to keep the ammo as collectibles, or if he intends to shoot it. We know that ammo is best kept cool & dry; obviously, the previous owner failed on the first part, & possibly the second. Hopefully, the price paid reflected the possibility that the ammo is worthless for shooting.

    Neal
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  • bakmc3
    YES,I plan on shooting it at the range,it's not collectible,i thought about cleaning it with aught steel wool,just rubbing it down enough to cycle,then i could tumble it clean,the brass.
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