Know how to clean surplus ammo?

[fcastle]

Hello Fellow Enthusiasts,

I'm thinking of doing something, but wanted some of your thoughts before I do it.

I recently acquired 1,000 rounds of military surplus ammo at a decent price. The ammo is in good shape, but some of the brass has oxidation and tarnish. Before I go down to the range for a day of fun, I was going to clean this ammo so it doesn't gunk up my rifle (PTR-91).

Does anyone have a relatively straight forward way to clean this stuff? Someone suggested I throw them in a tumbler, but is that safe to do, or advisable to throw live ammo in a tumbler for a few hours?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Beelzy]

Dismantle the oxidized ones and tumble the tarnished ones.

[Nodda Duma]

Hello Fellow Enthusiasts,

I'm thinking of doing something, but wanted some of your thoughts before I do it.

I recently acquired 1,000 rounds of military surplus ammo at a decent price. The ammo is in good shape, but some of the brass has oxidation and tarnish. Before I go down to the range for a day of fun, I was going to clean this ammo so it doesn't gunk up my rifle (PTR-91).

Does anyone have a relatively straight forward way to clean this stuff? Someone suggested I throw them in a tumbler, but is that safe to do, or advisable to throw live ammo in a tumbler for a few hours?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Ammo manufacturers tumble their final product to make it nice and shiny.

-Jason

[God Bless The Mauser]

I tumbled a bunch of .303 British surplus and it came out great, even the dirty POF stuff looks like new.

[gunrun45]

Uh... Before placing live ammo in any vibrating machine, read the instruction manual priort o use. I dont' care if industrial makers use a similar method or not. Be prepared for bad consequences, just in case.

I know my Lyman tumbler says not to tumble primed brass...

[God Bless The Mauser]

Well nothing has blown up yet. Lot's of people tumble live ammo.

[Nodda Duma]

yup

[emilio]

live ammo should be fine. the reason you don't tumble primed brass is that there is no bullet to seal the cartridge, thus the primer can become contaminated or the flash hole blocked by media. primer contamination is bad - i'm still surprised they ship them in dinky paperboard boxes and plastic trays, that stuff should be vacuum-sealed!

- emilio

[Faust]

I seem to remember reading a warning about tumbling loaded ammo, and the point was the breakdown of the propelant pellets(extruded) that affected the presure curve upon ignition with some bad shaiza as a result; but like I said...I vagely remember something along those lines, so I could be wrong.
Now, I have shot some 1940's ammo before and it was pretty spotty looking, got some that failed to ignite but most shot well, the ones that failed had some pretty bad tarnish spots on the shell sides.
I hope this helps you.

[gunboat]

Oxidation and tarnish will shoot fine -- grime and grit is another story - If you must clean, try adding a little simple green to your corn media -- a few squirts if you have a squirter or about a teaspoon full - my ha-penny

[fcastle]

Thanks everyone. I have to say, I'm nervous about throwing live ammo in a vibrating machine, as gunrun45 mentioned.

I found a safe alternative: brass cleaner and brass wool from a boat store. Not as sexy as a tumbler, but then, more safe, too.

Thanks again!

[emilio]

I found a safe alternative: brass cleaner and brass wool from a boat store. Not as sexy as a tumbler, but then, more safe, too.

that may be far less safe than you think. i would never use unnecessary and unknown chemicals on loaded ammunition. chemicals can seep in and deaden the powder or primer; at the worst they can weaken the brass or primer cup, though i doubt brass polish runs this risk.

think of the force it takes to set off a modern primer, even thinner pistol cups. it would take some violently industrial-strength tumbler to create that.
- emilio

[TEX1966]

I've tumbeled alot of 8mm and 303 ammo and never had a problem. I just tumble for 1 - 2 hours and not overnight.

[God Bless The Mauser]

Steel wool takes WAY too long.

[cassius]

Thanks everyone. I have to say, I'm nervous about throwing live ammo in a vibrating machine, as gunrun45 mentioned.

I found a safe alternative: brass cleaner and brass wool from a boat store. Not as sexy as a tumbler, but then, more safe, too.

Thanks again!

More 'safe' than what, grossly irrational and inappropriate fear?

Tumble it. It'll be fine.


eta - and gunrun45 ought to be ashamed, spreading that liability-lawyerese. Silly enough that crap is on the tumbler as is.