Corroded .30 Cal Bullets

[zanthope]

I bought some 30 caliber 150 gr M2 milsurp pull-down bullets for Garands from Widener's. The price was right...$46/1000 with shipping included.

About ten percent of them are corroded so bad they've turned green. I worked on them with a lead-away rag and they polished up OK, but now they're black. The surface seems smooth, and the jacketing is intact, but somewhat weakened, I'm sure

Maybe a dumb question, but - are these OK to shoot? I wonder about what might happen in a pressurized bore.

 

[Southla1]

If all the corrosion is off of them go ahead and shoot em. They may not be the most accurate in the world but will be safe. I think the rag may have casued the gilding metal to trun black.........if you have a tumbler try that instead.

 

[sricciardelli]

If they are smooth and clean, shoot them. If they are pitted or rough finished, toss them.

You would have been better off tossing them in a vibrator with some treated walnut media to remove the crud.

 

[zanthope]

Thanks for the replies, all.

I did run them in the tumbler with a little paint thinner for about three hours before I loaded them. It took some of the crud off. I might run a bigger batch all night and see how they do.