Usable bullets?

[Xfire68]

I have 2 thousand of Military 5.56 Ball ammo in 62g. When I bought it the seller said that 10% may be unusable. I am in the process of sorting out the "perfect" ones from the ones that have tool marks, dents and gouges. I am wondering what is usable for target rounds and what I should pitch?

I know the ones without any marks are good to go but, I am unsure of the rest? The ratio is much higher the 10% if you consider these to be unsafe or unusable!

These are the good ones.


These are the iffy ones?

[ScottRiqui]

Honestly, for range/blasting ammo, I'd use any of those, except possibly the ones with the large gouges above the cannelures. And I'd probably even load up one or two of those just to see if they drop into the chamber easily.

[Xfire68]

Thanks Scott! This is my first Military surplus purchase and I wanted to be sure of what is safe to use.

[Rifleman1776]

For range plinking, use 'em all.

[Edward429451]

I never pitch bullets with pull marks! Copper is softer than my barrel so what could it possibly do. Ok I snagged my Wifes fingernail file and I clean up the bad ones. She still doesn't suspect that I have it!

[Xfire68]

Thanks guys! That is what I was hoping to hear! "Use them all!"

[medalguy]

Can anyone tell me what the marks all along the side of these bullets? Looks like pliers but you can't pull a bullet with pliers holding both above and below the cannelure. Any ideas? Only 2 ways I know to pull bullets is by inertia pullers or by collet types which leave circular marke right above the cannelure.

[Xfire68]

medalguy, I believe it's from a industrial bullet pulling machine and nothing you or I would use at home.

The bullets are Military surplus from ammo that was deemed unusable from it's date or some other reasons and was dismantled to sell off the components.

[rg1]

Just to be on the safe side and to iron out the pull marks this inexpensive bullet sizing die will make them uniform and round. Just run all your pulled unsized bullets thru this die:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...436&t=11082005
Also check the bases of all the bullets. Your bullets won't need the alox lube and you won't have to use the plastic bottle. Just catch the sized bullet as it comes out the top of the die with your fingers. Quick and easy.

[medalguy]

Xfire68, not doubting you at all but I've loaded and fired thousands of pulled bullets and I've never seen marks like these. Generally there is a cut mark just above where the case neck meets the bullet. These lkook exactly like pliers marks. I don't know how a puller could grab the portion of the bullet inside the case neck. Any ideas??

I did note there appear to be some indented cut marks on the sides of the bullet above the case portion on some, most noticably in the lower picture.

[demigod]

I never use pulled bullets. Just my preference. There apparently are dies out there to true up pulled bullets and make them perfectly round again.

But I don't even like new ss109 in the first place because they're not accurate and they have a funky ogive that forces me to reset my seating die.

[demigod]

I don't know how a puller could grab the portion of the bullet inside the case neck. Any ideas??

I've always just assumed that the bullet was pulled with a mechanical sprockett that wheeled the projectile out of the casemouth and put the marks there as the bullet was pulled.

[Old Grump]

If the bases are flat and solid use them, it is unlikely you will notice the difference at just plinking ranges. I would worry more about the weight differences if any than the cosmetic smudges.

[Uncle Buck]

I've always just assumed that the bullet was pulled with a mechanical sprockett that wheeled the projectile out of the casemouth and put the marks there as the bullet was pulled

Same thought here. What is it they say about great minds?