Dirty Surplus Ammo

[Vlad 11]

I would have no problems tumbling cartridges in a vibratory tumbler. However i would never do it in any type of water solution.

If you happen to have a lee trim case holder for a drill, you can spin them and scrub with some wool or scotchbrite

[Badmusic]

Eric the ammoman wants me to pay shipping in order to get a refund. At least he honors his guarantee. However, since shipping will cost about the same as a brand spanking new vibratory "tumbler", and most of the rounds are in what I consider salvageable condition... guess what new toy will be arriving at my door in a few days?

I guess now I have to buy the rest of the reloading supplies? Is this how addiction starts?

[WDN41]

I would and have tumbled a few cases of ugly surp - but stuff like in this photo, I pull-down for components. That stuff should never been sold as "ammo" to actually fire in that condition.

When I do tumble live ammo, I set the tumbler out in the middle of a concret patio just in case, but nothing's ever happened.

I recently toured a small "factory" which produced new and reloaded ammo.
They dump completed reloads into what look to be cement mixers with about
1 yard capacity with some sort of matter, maybe crushed walnut shells and
tumble for a while until clean. Lokked like new ammo.
Every thing they produced went through these tumblers to remove any discoloration dirt or foreign matter picked up in the manufacturing.

[Nodda Duma]

I also tumble loaded ammo to make it look nice. No issues. I use the Lyman walnut shells impregnated with red rouge.

[fremont lapua]

I guess now I have to buy the rest of the reloading supplies? Is this how addiction starts?

YES

[LexLuther]

Tumbling them is no biggie, and has been discussed here before. If you don't mind, what was the price per round you paid before shipping?

[Badmusic]

Comes out to about .53 a round, shipping was included. Came in two .30 cal steel ammo cans, 270 rounds to a can. Figure approx $40.00 for shipping and its .46 a round.

[LexLuther]

Sounds real close to the CMP stuff at .49 before shipping

[Fishslayer]

I would not put loaded ammo in a tumbler, it would be nice to see a pole of who would though.

I do it all the time, as do many others. To remove case lube and...well... some of us just like bright shiny ammo.

The stories of it altering the burn rates of powders is pretty much a myth.

[Badmusic]

Thanks all, tumbler arrived two days ago. last batch getting clean now. I'll post pictures of the crap ammo again. i'm not going to fire it, just thought it would be fun to see how clean I could get the crusty stuff.