How to clean bullets?

JRLSH · March 24, 2013, 10:36 AM

I have a question concerning some bullets I purchased at a garage sale. I bought these and they were still sealed but upon opening the box I found that the foam inside the box had deteriorated to this(see pics). What I would like to know is what would be the best way to clean these bullets so as to be able to utilize them. They are speer bullets, .224 size, spitzer 70gr. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

jimbob86 · March 24, 2013, 10:39 AM

I'd dump 'em in my case cleaner ......

I wonder what caused that foam to deteriorate? Some kind of solvent spill?

ScottRiqui · March 24, 2013, 10:42 AM

First, I'd just put them in a strainer or colander and see how much of that will just rinse off, either with water or with alcohol. I'd hate to get any more deteriorated foam "gunk" in my case cleaning media than I had to.

cvc944 · March 24, 2013, 10:47 AM

Iosso case cleaner is what I use for bullets. Dump the bullets in, wait about 5 seconds, dump them out, rinse with water, dry them off, and that is it. It will turn bullets in a box sitting around for 40 years into ones you can't tell from new. It works OK on brass cases, but it's magic on copper bullets.

JRLSH · March 24, 2013, 10:52 AM

Thanks for all the ideas on this. I was unsure how to refurbish them to like new capacity but I think with all the input I will be able to get them to like new condition. You guys are tops with me. Thanks again.

GP100man · March 24, 2013, 10:56 AM

I`d try as mentioned with water & soap first , but if I think it`s what I`ve run into it`ll take some kind of solvent to dissolve the goop.

I soaked mine in mineral sprits then (after straining) poured em on an old towel & rolled em around a bit to dry & scrub a bit .

Don`t use the coleander to strain em ,SWMBO got very upset . Use a can with 1 or 2 holes poked in the bottom

catch the MS & reuse .

hooligan1 · March 24, 2013, 10:58 AM

Funny story, I purchased some bulk bullets, and they were a little dingy, not real bad but dingy so I dumped them all in my tumbler and let 'em go for overnight,, they turned out beautiful,,,, however they are hollow point Gamekings so all the tips were filled with corncobb

and by the time I got one hundred of those dudes cleaned out, I kinda wondered what they would have shot like witout being cleaned!!

March 24, 2013, 10:52 AM	#5
JRLSH Member Join Date: October 26, 2011 Posts: 35	Thanks for your ideas Thanks for all the ideas on this. I was unsure how to refurbish them to like new capacity but I think with all the input I will be able to get them to like new condition. You guys are tops with me. Thanks again. __________________ JRL____________ If you heard the bang, You weren't the target.

March 24, 2013, 10:56 AM	#6
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	I`d try as mentioned with water & soap first , but if I think it`s what I`ve run into it`ll take some kind of solvent to dissolve the goop. I soaked mine in mineral sprits then (after straining) poured em on an old towel & rolled em around a bit to dry & scrub a bit . Don`t use the coleander to strain em ,SWMBO got very upset . Use a can with 1 or 2 holes poked in the bottom catch the MS & reuse . __________________ GP100man

March 24, 2013, 10:58 AM	#7
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Funny story, I purchased some bulk bullets, and they were a little dingy, not real bad but dingy so I dumped them all in my tumbler and let 'em go for overnight,, they turned out beautiful,,,, however they are hollow point Gamekings so all the tips were filled with corncobb and by the time I got one hundred of those dudes cleaned out, I kinda wondered what they would have shot like witout being cleaned!! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

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March 24, 2013, 10:39 AM	#2
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	I'd dump 'em in my case cleaner ...... I wonder what caused that foam to deteriorate? Some kind of solvent spill?

March 24, 2013, 10:42 AM	#3
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	First, I'd just put them in a strainer or colander and see how much of that will just rinse off, either with water or with alcohol. I'd hate to get any more deteriorated foam "gunk" in my case cleaning media than I had to.

March 24, 2013, 10:47 AM	#4
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	Iosso case cleaner is what I use for bullets. Dump the bullets in, wait about 5 seconds, dump them out, rinse with water, dry them off, and that is it. It will turn bullets in a box sitting around for 40 years into ones you can't tell from new. It works OK on brass cases, but it's magic on copper bullets.