Corroded bullets?

[JeffM]

First off, it this has been covered here or elsewhere, please let me know. I searched here, google, and Brian Enos's site, but haven't found an answer.

I got (what I thought was) a good deal on some Winchester .223 55gr FMJ bullets at a local gun shop @ $6.00/100 as I've seen them for $65+/k on the net and everyone is out of stock.

There is some white corrosion on the surface of the bullets, but from my reading it should be fine after a quick steel wool scrub (it even comes off w/ a finger nail scrape).

But a few of them have dark/black spots that appear to be pitting in the copper. They spots don't go away with a light scrubbing, and I can still feel something catch when I run my fingernail over the spot. The spots are very small, like pin-pricks.

I would like to know if...

a) These are still safe to use.

b) Will they cause undue wear to a barrel. (Most of the spots are not in an area that would contact the rifling, but there are some)

c) Will the pitting get worse with time, and if so how can I stop it.

[Jicko]

Have your try tumbling them?

[JeffM]

Have your try tumbling them?

Not yet, but I have scrubbed a little with fine steel wool. I'd imagine that walnut would have less of an effect (although I didn't scrub for 8 hours).

[maxicon]

Some people worry about tumbling loaded ammo, as the powder is liable to break up and change surface area. Seems like a bigger risk with extruded powder, less so with ball.

I don't know that anyone's done any tests on this, but something to think about.

I'd just shoot it after cleaning it. If there's pitting around the base, it may affect accuracy, but shouldn't be a safety issue.

[Jicko]

Some people worry about tumbling loaded ammo, as the powder is liable to break up and change surface area. Seems like a bigger risk with extruded powder, less so with ball.

I don't know that anyone's done any tests on this, but something to think about.

I'd just shoot it after cleaning it. If there's pitting around the base, it may affect accuracy, but shouldn't be a safety issue.

But these are "bullets".... NOT loaded ammo.... I am asking him to just tumble the "bullets" that he got.

(altho, I, personally, would not worry about tumbling loaded ammo......)


PS. JeffM: maybe you can take some *macro* photos, and we can all *see* them...

[JeffM]

I'll take some photos (yes, I know how to use macro )

But I took a closer look and one of my bags or 100 had been very carefully taped up the side. I opened it up and found what look like 6 .30 cal soft points, and a few .224 soft points. I counted the actual .224 FMJs = 66!!!, not 100. I'm a little pissed. I should have looked a little closer when I scooped up my "good deal"

[JeffM]

Ok, these bags were in a bin; I got a couple good bags that were sitting on top when I grabbed the stack. The bullets look great.




Compaired to some not-so-good bags:




General look of most of the bullets:




Some of the corroded bullets:




What was in the open-box special:

[jandmtv]

tumble the bullets, i bet they will come out looking new!

[Jicko]

tumble the bullets, i bet they will come out looking new!

I agree.... at least that's worth a try.....

[maxicon]

But these are "bullets".... NOT loaded ammo.... I am asking him to just tumble the "bullets" that he got.

Heh! So they are - I wasn't reading close enough. Yes, you're right, tumbling's a good bet for those.

[Timberwolf]

Throw them in a tumbler with a walnut / corn cob mixture with a few drops of Simple Green. Tumble over night - load and go. Hell you should see some of the mil surp bullets I've gotten - they make those look clean.