Dusty ol' bullets

Duke City Six · October 5, 2012, 09:17 PM

Howdy folks,

Someone gave me a couple boxes of old, cast, lubed .38 wadcutters. They've been in storage for years, and weren't quite sealed, so they have some lint and dust on them. I'd like to use them, but I'm wary of sending the grit through my bores. Is there a practical way to clean them?

Thank you, wise ones.

Miata Mike · October 5, 2012, 10:14 PM

I have maybe 400 that I picked up for a song. If they don't look good enough to load as is I probably would do a Recluse 45-45-10 tumble lube, or send them though a lube sizer again. If they are gritty I would probably recast them

Mike / Tx · October 6, 2012, 09:46 AM

If they are lubed, and the dust is an issue you could set them in a cheap Dollar Store cookie sheet on top of a shop towel and use a blow drier to heat them up where the lube flows off onto the towel. Then simply relube them with some Alox and go for it.

If there is grit embedded into the lead I would remelt them and repour if you have the stuff to do so.

If simply dusty unlubed lead you could gently wash them in a disposable bowl with some soapy water using a soft brush to lightly scrub them. Let them dry and lube them up with Alox for shooting.

Duke City Six · October 7, 2012, 09:07 PM

Thanks, guys.

They are lubed, but upon closer inspection it looks like it's mostly the ones on top that need cleaning. Underneath they are better. I'll try to wipe the dusty ones down and I think I'll be fine.

Gotta love free bullets.

October 5, 2012, 09:17 PM	#1
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 264	Dusty ol' bullets Howdy folks, Someone gave me a couple boxes of old, cast, lubed .38 wadcutters. They've been in storage for years, and weren't quite sealed, so they have some lint and dust on them. I'd like to use them, but I'm wary of sending the grit through my bores. Is there a practical way to clean them? Thank you, wise ones. Last edited by Duke City Six; October 6, 2012 at 01:03 AM.

October 6, 2012, 09:46 AM	#3
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 549	If they are lubed, and the dust is an issue you could set them in a cheap Dollar Store cookie sheet on top of a shop towel and use a blow drier to heat them up where the lube flows off onto the towel. Then simply relube them with some Alox and go for it. If there is grit embedded into the lead I would remelt them and repour if you have the stuff to do so. If simply dusty unlubed lead you could gently wash them in a disposable bowl with some soapy water using a soft brush to lightly scrub them. Let them dry and lube them up with Alox for shooting. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

October 5, 2012, 10:14 PM	#2
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 396	I have maybe 400 that I picked up for a song. If they don't look good enough to load as is I probably would do a Recluse 45-45-10 tumble lube, or send them though a lube sizer again. If they are gritty I would probably recast them

October 7, 2012, 09:07 PM	#4
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 264	Thanks, guys. They are lubed, but upon closer inspection it looks like it's mostly the ones on top that need cleaning. Underneath they are better. I'll try to wipe the dusty ones down and I think I'll be fine. Gotta love free bullets.