Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

[sentry1]

So, going through a box of old stuff, I found some 5.56 ammo linked for use in a SAW. Now, this box has been sitting around for who knows how long (at least 8 or 9 years) and the links have rusted. So when I take the rounds off the links, it is DIRTY!

Picture enclosed. Now, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't fire it through my rifle as is, but should I even bother trying to clean these? Keep in mind it's live rounds, not spent brass that I can toss in a tumbler or something.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

That stuff is junk. I would not run it through a $50 rifle bought at the swap meet. Ammo is not that expensive. Rifles and body parts are.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Should I just junk it all, or separate the brass to save it for cleaning/reloading?

 

[former naval person]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Depends upon whom is elected or re-elected this fall. JMHO

 

[DirtyRod]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I think most folks would just toss it especially if it's just a few rounds. If there is a lot and you think your tumbler can clean it, the brass is not corroded, the bullets are in better condition than that brass, you have a good puller that won't damage the bullets, and it's worth your time then have at it.

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

If your set on firing it, I would just throw it in the tumbler for a couple of hours. We have been down the tumbling loaded ammo road before and its never hurt anything. Then again, if you really want to fire that ammo, tumbling it will be the least dangerous process.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I have a whole ammo can of the stuff, so I'd like to not have to throw it out. The bullets all look to be in great condition. I do not have a puller, I was thinking of picking up a Hornady or RCBS puller since they're not expensive at all.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Its junk. The only thing worth trying to salvage is the bullets.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I figure for salvage I'll get bullets, the powder out of each round, and then the cases I can run through a tumbler to clean up. Is it necessary to punch out the primers before running them through the tumbler?

Hmm... what if I got some friends to sit around with a can of Brasso and clean these by hand?

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I vote for junk. Sell it to somebody that thinks it is valuable, it's easier than giving it away.
(it's like this)
FREE PUPPIES!, you will be stuck with them, but $50 labrapoodles sell like hotcakes. BB

 

[zuke]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

If you really want to use them use a cordless drill and hold them by the case neck and use steel wool to clean them up.
A LEE shell holder used for case trimming will also work.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Does anyone else see the galvanic corrosion on these cases?
Sure, what the hell, use the cases. Hell for that matter just chuck the live rounds up in a drill and put some steel wool to them and fire them in whatever gun you like.
I WOULD NOT FIRE THESE, USE THE BRASS AT ALL, UNLESS NOT FIRING MY WEAPON MEANT CERTAIN DEATH.

 

[kanej]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Seems to me:

Best Case Upside: One ammo can worth of ammo (after a *ton* of cleaning work)

Worst Case Downside: Death.

Possible Downside: Disability

Likely Downside: Damage of some sort to the weapon shooting the ammo.

Its obviously not precision stuff, and I doubt it would (under any likely scenario) work well in a gas gun...

Just my $0.02, but why mess with it?

BTW: I have always been told that you need to be very careful putting live rounds in any tumbler. All it takes is a bullet tip vibrating (in just the right way) against the primer of another bullet and ... boom! Not that I don't know folks that do it (for a few minutes) but I would not take that risk...

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

We've already had the vibrator discussion and some people claim to have tumbled thousands of rounds for hundreds of years without a problem. Me? I will never know because I believe the wive's tales, or at least the potential exists for degrading something, primer or propellant.

Lesson learned, don't leave ammo on the back porch while deployed; right?
BB

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

So, I did a count, and it's 201 rounds. The bullets are all clean, it's only where the links were touching the cases that it got all nasty.

I wish it hadn't gotten like this, but after I left Quantico, I moved to good ole NYC for college, and my ammo can and weapons got packed away.

Soooo, methinks I find someone local with a reloading setup, get fresh brass/primers and reuse the powder/bullets. I assume the primers can't be punched out and reused?

 

[TenZero]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

You should definitely do exactly what you wanted to do in the first place, and quit asking. For f*ck's sake dude, everyone who responded here told you to shitcan that ammo! Why even ask on here if you've decided you're going to clean it and shoot it anyway??? And why would anyone in their right mind risk death, injury, or a quality rifle by shooting that junk? Just dumb.

-Being asked for advice is fine. Being asked to validate stupid decisions that have already been decided is annoying. End rant.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

What I wanted to do in the first place is get some information to cover the areas I had no knowledge of.

So, the general consensus is junk the brass, but reusing the bullets and powder is fine, yes? What about the primers? Do I junk those with the cases or are they reusable?

Dear TenZero,

If I could give you back the 30 seconds of d-baggery that you spent reading and responding to my thread, I sure would. Take your interwebs rage somewhere it will do some good, and feel free not to make up my mind for me, mmkay?

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

OK for all those who think I am a douche, please take heed to my patience here.

Sentry. Dude. Keep the bullets if you must. I have no picture of them but if they look anything like the cases(which I doubt due to the fact that what you have is dissimilar metal galvanic corrosion caused by the spring steel links)then all is lost.
Do not try to save the powder. Do not try to save the primers. Do not try to save the cases.
Again you asked for advice and you got some really bad advice and some really good advice. You are gonna have to figure out which is which.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Thanks for the clear, concise advice armorpl8chikn. Could you please explain why I should not reuse the powder?

I'm not disputing your advice, I'd just like to know what the reasoning is.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

it is not junk, just dirty ugly, tumble it over night in walnut shells and shoot it, i have shot uglier ammo that went out the barrel just fine. Military ammo is tar sealed at the bullet and the primer to keep moisture away, there are no dangers of death just misfires.
hope this helps, your call.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

This guy must have the first dollar he ever made, he's thrifty to a fault.

The effort to salvage 201 primers is (read my lips) NOT WORTH IT. Repeat; NOT WORTH IT. (guess) $5

Saving (what?) half a pound of propellent? What for? Who wants to use powder when you don't know what it is? (guess) $15

201 FMJ bullets? Again? $20/$25 worth of just about the cheapest bullets you will ever find. (guess) $30

And, now deduct the cost of the bullet puller and your free labor (guess) $20

So, it's $50 less $20 and I guess you net $30 worth of very suspect components.

I bet you are big into recycling and separating glass and plastic, plus you score all that dirty brass! <yawn>
BB

 

[zuke]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

You can re-use the bullet's, and the powder.
Is it military ammo? If yes the powder is sealed air/water tight.But the primer's will be crimped in so chance's are they won't come out re-usable.
If you use an RCBS or that type of bullet puller hammer,when you unscrew the top to remove everything have your primed brass in a reloading tray and dump the powder from it straight into the new case.
You'll need a funnel to do that and be patient about it.
Set the bullet aside for time being and concentrate on the powder recovery.
You can push the bullet to either side to help break the seal and loosen it up in the case neck.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Or... I've never reloaded before and I'm just asking questions to... ya know, learn. Is this where I apologize for not being born with all your knowledge?

I'm starting to get the impression that some folks are offended by a novice trying to pick up some knowledge. To the rest, regardless of what your advice was, thank you for providing your thoughts sans douchebaggery.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This guy must have the first dollar he ever made, he's thrifty to a fault.

The effort to salvage 201 primers is (read my lips) NOT WORTH IT. Repeat; NOT WORTH IT. (guess) $5

Saving (what?) half a pound of propellent? What for? Who wants to use powder when you don't know what it is? (guess) $15

201 FMJ bullets? Again? $20/$25 worth of just about the cheapest bullets you will ever find. (guess) $30

And, now deduct the cost of the bullet puller and your free labor (guess) $20

So, it's $50 less $20 and I guess you net $30 worth of very suspect components.

I bet you are big into recycling and separating glass and plastic, plus you score all that dirty brass! <yawn>
BB
</div></div>

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Yes, it's M855 ammo, I believe. Lake City 95 I think, if I'm reading the markings correctly.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zuke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Is it military ammo? </div></div>

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I never cease to be amazed at the advice handed out like candy on reloading forums. Your momma should have told you not to take candy from strangers.

First of all I bet you don't have any loading data for that powder. Do you know what the powder is exactly. I will play devil's advocate and say you can weigh a charge or two and remanufacture the ammo in good cases.BUT you have a problem. unless you load the powder back in the same kind of case you run the risk of a possibly extremely hot load, especially considering this ammo if for a machinegun....I think. You will probably be safe in dropping whatever average charge down a couple grains and loading in just about any case...probably.

The primers should be pretty self explainatory. They are crimped. I would give your chances of depriming 200 crimped primers without a discharge about .01%. If you don't end up in the ER with a primer in your flesh you will be one lucky phucker. Ask around, there have been several posts in the last year where someone had a primer discharge and as is prone to happen when they aren't confined to a chamber, it became a projectile. I have deprimed many hundreds of live primers without incident, but a crimped primer?....HELL NO.

People that keep telling you this ammo is ok are quite frankly not your friends and I wouldn't let them babysit my pet goat for the weekend , let alone give me advice on reloading safety.

You will do much better with a collet type puller on these. I have pulled near 1000 30-06 rounds from the 50s and 60's, many of them previosly linked machine gun rounds. I can tell you they are hard as hell to pull with a good collet puller and damn near impossible with inertia. Now of course your ammo is not near that dated and much smaller so an inertia puller may be ok but I am betting you will have sore wrists at the end of those 200 rounds.

I can't improve on what Buzzy has said. I know it isn't what you want to hear but it is the truth. It is a false economy, just not worth the trouble. If you have all the equipment to do the job then by all means pull the bullets. Yeah...save the powder if you must but make sure it has a nice sweet solvent smell. An acrid smell with teh presence of red dust means it is damn dangerous. Yes I saved the powder from my 06 pull downs but we are talking about over $100 worth of powder. And I have 30 years of loading experience to ascertain safe powder at a whiff and a glance.
I wouldn't buy any equipment just to pull down 200 5.56 NATO rounds that looked like this. To each his own. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[dlklamfo]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Its been said before but the only thing I would save is the bullets but even that will require equipment, effort, and time. The rest (powder, primer, and case) are just too iffy and suspect on condition to risk it. Save yourself some headache and throw them out. Its only 200 rounds.

OR Soak them in citric acid to see if that cleans them up. Then put them back in the links and you'll have a pretty cool man room decoration. Not everyone has linked mg ammo. Just a thought! Good luck.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

@Armorpl8chikn: I appreciate the advice. I'm not looking to hear anything specific, or have some pre-existing choice validated, at all. I'm just a newbie trying to absorb the collected wisdom (and snark) of the community.

I've never reloaded before, and Marine Corps markmanship doesn't cover this stuff, so thank you for explaining the primer issue.

The ammo is M855, which we've broken down and reloaded into magazines many times, so the powder load is the same, regardless of the intended use for M16 or M249 (just for general info).

I'm going to clean up the gunk on these to keep it from getting any worse, pack it back in the can with some dessicant, and put it away until I can dispose of it properly, or someone knowledgeable with reloading equipment lets me use their setup to recycle the bullets.

To whats-his-face complaining about me being super thrifty, sure, I'd like to separate the bullets, reload them, and learn a new skill, while saving some money by recycling this old stuff I have laying around.

Now, again, just for knowledge's sake, IF (for Buddha's sake, I'm just asking for information, no webrage please) I were to buy Lake City NATO brass (which is what this is), and just transfer powder/bullets into the new brass, would that minimize risks from misloaded powder?

Can you recommend a collet puller? Is this what you're referring to?
Hornady Cam Lock Bullet Puller

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

With all the visible corrosion/electrolysis it would appear that that ammo got really wet at one time in it's life.

There's a good chance that a good number of these rounds won't even fire.

If it were mine, I'd just pull the bullets and recycle the brass, primers and all. Put the powder on the front lawn. Makes it nice and green. Reload, sell, or give the bullets away.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Are you pulling my leg on the lawn? Does powder really do that?

Err, does anyone want 201 filthy M855 rounds? Wait, I work on an Army arsenal... maybe if I go make friends at the armory...

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I was offering advice in good faith, but you obviously don't get it, so fuck off jarhead.

edit: signed "whats-his-face"

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I would not keep or use the ammo, or try to salvage the components. Uncle Sam would not keep it, you shouldn't either.

Police bomb squads will periodically properly destroy combustibles/explosives that are questionable. I would inquire with my local police to find out how to work this stuff into that pipeline safely and legally.

Yes, powder does that. Nitrates from fertilizer will trigger the same tests that are used to identify propellents/explosives.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BuzzBoss915</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was offering advice in good faith, but you obviously don't get it, so fuck off jarhead.

edit: signed "whats-his-face"</div></div>

You could be more careful when you tell a Jarhead to fuck off. A lot of us around here are resident elder Jarheads (including the site owner), and tend to take such stuff kinda personally.

Lowlight got his nickname from being a Marine Sniper, probably the shortest and smallest one ever to wear the title (lowest, and lightest, get it?). I know he won't push the point, but he'd be justified; and I don't have his brand of patience with such banter. So maybe you might cut the Jarhead a bit more slack and, and give a mind to not alienating yourself with a big part of the Marine contingent here.

FYI, he also served as an Army Sniper in the recent unpleasantness with Iraq.

Greg

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Greg, Baby. Well intended advice, I'm sure, but. I'm not slurring everyone who ever wore the uniform, just this particularly hard headed individual. If any Marine takes offense, <shrug> well, that's unfortunate. Lowlight seems okay, if you ask me? BB

 

[TenZero]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Sentry, Apologies are in order if you were offended in any way by my impatience. At the end of the day though, this is a fundamental Firearms Safety issue. Since you are a Marine, you should already be familiar with a certain level of intolerance regarding violating basic firearms safety practices.
(1)If the integrity of your ammunition is suspect, you don't use it, period, unless it's the last 201 rounds on earth, and the barbarians are at the gate.
By all means pull 'em down for curiosity, but don't do it for any economy. You'll end up with with:
-200 suspect cases with suspect primers still crimped in them, (See (1) above) Seriously, DO NOT try to deprime these!
-A half pound of unknown powder in unknown condition.(See (1) above)
-200 pull down bullets than can be used again, but can be purchased for a nickel a piece.

Don't want you to get hurt.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Don't know how much you make an hour but here is 500 mil spec bullets for $45. That is about $9 a hundred!!!! Is that a good enough to dump these? I will send you $10 for 200 primers and a quarter pound of powder if you can't afford it. Semper Fi.

 

[DirtyRod]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sentry1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've never reloaded before .......

The ammo is M855, which we've broken down and reloaded into magazines many times, so the powder load is the same, regardless of the intended use for M16 or M249

.............

To whats-his-face complaining about me being super thrifty, sure, I'd like to separate the bullets, reload them, and learn a new skill, while saving some money by recycling this old stuff I have laying around.

...........

Can you recommend a collet puller? Is this what you're referring to?
Hornady Cam Lock Bullet Puller </div></div>

I've got to ask ... Since you have no experience reloading why are you so interested in saving these specific components? Do you have a press available in which to use it the Collet puller?

Based on you really wanting these components I assume that you believe that these bullets and powder will work well in your rifle and that you want to eventually get into reloading. If so you need to understand that reloading is more than just slapping them into another case. There is an established process for working up the most accurate and safe loads for any gun and once these 200 bullets and powder are gone you probably going to need to find different components anyway. Unless that particular powder is commercially available you will quickly need to work up your own load anyway probably using a different powder.

Additionally, to the point about effort made earlier, perhaps you should think about scavenging brass versus trying to save that brass. In just about very range trip I pick up 50-60 5.56/.223 cases left around by other shooters. I'm currently rotating about 3k cases that were all range pickups. If you decide to pull them and they can be cleaned up then OK but 5.56/.223 brass is plentiful where I am so it might be possible to acquire replacement brass very quickly.

If saving $ is your goal then I suspect you will discover that the savings from that particular 200 rounds is insignificant once you've bought all of your reloading gear. Powder for my .223 rounds runs just under $.07 per round with another $.01 for the primer so the total savings for those 200 rounds is under $20. The bullets are another story so, as I said before, if you can pull them without damaging them then I would do that but I wouldn't go spend money specifically to do so unless I was buying my reloading gear.

Good luck. Be safe.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Is that a good enough to dump these? I will send you $10 for 200 primers and a quarter pound of powder if you can't afford it. Semper Fi. </div></div>

I've got some 70s x39 milsurp that's looking a little tarnished so can I get some?

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

hey you have been given alot of good info on you question.like others have said,if its just a learning thing then go ahead and pull some.then this way you can learn more about reloading.weigh the power to get a feel even the bullets.just don't try to remove the primers or load any of it back other than the bullets.

we all need to learn in some way or another.for me I had to of the best mentors a man could ask for.one was just a great shooter/reloader.the other was a sniper in the Marines along with being a 1000 yard shooter.both have passed away so now I have the net.with the net I have sites just like this one to keep me going.if I didn't my skills would have ended years ago.

one more thing to add.its not the question you ask ( its how you ask it )for me I have to really put my question in front of me before I go and ask it.these guys have been doing this alot longe and asking a question can be tricky at times.my way of putting it my not be their way so understanding my question may not take.sometimes I just have to ask it anyway.but most of the time I have to think it out before I ask.I'm a hands on guy so learning can be tricky at times.wording something goes along way for me.learning the talk ( reloading talk )is something I am still learning.I have come a long ways.

so what are you going to do.learn or just chalk it up to a waste of time.

 

[dmpowder]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I agree with tossing them all! 5.56 is not that expensive and really not worth your time to do anything with them! Well unless you have plenty of free time and don't know what to do with it.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

A)I do appreciate all the wisdom contributed. I started this thread having just read about reloading, and as you can see, I had a lot of questions. Yea, I had a bazillion different options in my head that I wanted to ask about.

I know I won't save any money on these rounds by reloading them, not my intent. I'm not broke, I'm trying to be efficient. Why buy supplies I may end up ruining and have to toss out?

When I do get my hands on some reloading gear, having 200 rounds around to disassemble, practice on, and be able to toss out, seems like a good idea. I just joined a range club that is full of retired veterans who shoot competitively. Rest assured, I will find a knowledgeable mentor before I start going all Frankenstein on this ammo.

For now, it's getting a quick cleaning in ketchup and then getting packed with some dessicant till I get around to working on it.

B) @Buzz: I don't think I've been particularly hardheaded about this. I never shot anyone's advice down, I just asked for more information. If asking a dozen questions about a dozen possibilities is hardheaded, I hope no one ever has you for a teacher or mentor.

Next time you offer advice in 'good faith' to someone, try not to load it up with passive-aggressive insults. That's not 'good faith' knucklehead. And when you do offend someone with your pissy attitude, don't get butthurt about it.

So, here's a pretty pink bendy straw, suck it up buddy.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Sentry;

<span style="font-style: italic">Illegitimi non carborundum</span> (Don't let the bastards wear ya down, Boy...).

If verbal adversity was all a Marine needed to survive, there'd be no need for PI. We can handle it.

As you put is most recently, I think you'll do fine. I just wouldn't covet those components for use as anything I'd want running through any of my own rifles. I'm pretty sure we're on the same page with that.

Let this be a lesson to you. Advice at the 'Hide, when requested, will come in several flavors. Not all of them will be equally palatable.

S/F Shipmate,

Greg

 

[Helter]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sentry1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you pulling my leg on the lawn? Does powder really do that?

Err, does anyone want 201 filthy M855 rounds? Wait, I work on an Army arsenal... maybe if I go make friends at the armory... </div></div>

I would never suggest that anyone else do this, ever, but I solve this problem by chucking i in a camp fire.
I'm sure someone will come by in a few minutes to say how dangerous it is, and it probably is, but I've never had any problems. Throw in 4 or 5 at a time, keep some distance between you and the fire, and you've effectively got the best firecrackers that you could ever get without a license to manufacture flash powder.

Though honestly, I really like the "man cave decorations" idea. I'd definitely do that. How long of a chain is 200 rounds?

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Man cave decorations... hmm, I like that one. Empty out powder, tumble brass to clean it up, drill a hole in the side of each case, reassemble casing & bullet (sans powder) and remount in cleaned up links.

Hang on wall, wait for a gal to go 'Ooh! Pretty!' and become Future Ex-wife #1.

 

[Helter]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sentry1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man cave decorations... hmm, I like that one. Empty out powder, tumble brass to clean it up, drill a hole in the side of each case, reassemble casing & bullet (sans powder) and remount in cleaned up links.

Hang on wall, wait for a gal to go 'Ooh! Pretty!' and become Future Ex-wife #1. </div></div>

Why go to all the trouble? I'd just clean it up and relink it.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Grrr! A PINK STRAW! This kid (let me out of this train wreck) is really starting to piss me off!

Salvage this junk for a "man cave"? Hmm. Sounds kinda GAY to me? lol

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

Personally I do not like anything that could ever even by accident get into or around ammo that I could potentially load. A tipped over case that rolls into some of my good brass would suck hard. Kinda' like getting a piece of berdan brass in my regular brass. You know what I mean? When I start to cull I make sure the junk gets in the trash. Ever see what a piece of brass that has case head seperation can do to your rifle and eyes? I can teach you reloading in no more than 50 cases. Most of the time 20.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I had some 7mm mauser round that looked like this. I put them through a tumbler for a few hours and they came out looking ok, a little beat up and worn, but ok. I shot them off last week at the range and all of them fired, not a single problem, all I'm saying is them might look bad cosmetically, but most likely all they need is a little cleaning up, that's all my 40+ year old mauser rounds needed.

 

[Conqueror]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

The tales of ruining or detonating ammo in a vibratory tumbler are hogwash. If the ammo was mine, I'd at least throw it in some walnut shells overnight and see how it looked in the morning...

 

[zuke]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I'd offer to tumble it in my Stainless steel media, but I'm on the wrong side of the line.
I have a friend that did that to a couple 100 live blank's. Cleaned'em up all purdy like,linked them and hung'em on the wall.
Look's impressive.

 

[sentry1]

Re: Not quite a reloading question: dirty brass

I appreciate the thought Zuke! I just sent the rounds and links off to a friend of a friend to get cleaned up and separated. Will post pictures of the man cave decorations when I get them back.