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1/4/2014 9:13:47 PM EDT
I have accumulated several old rounds that have corroded that were given to me. Some are 45 handloads and 16 gauge shotgun shells. What is the best way of disposing of them.
We have a hazardous waste dumpster at work and that's the only idea I've had.
1/4/2014 9:16:59 PM EDT
[#1]
I suppose that would work.  So does a burn barrel.  Or I suppose you could soak the primers in WD-40 or some other penetrating oil and just throw 'em out.
They aren't exactly hand grenades (as I've learned through the burn barrel method of disposal).
1/4/2014 9:25:05 PM EDT
[#2]
Why not just toss them in the garbage can? Imagine the things that people throw away concealed in garbage bags everyday.

Far worse than a few rounds of ammo.
1/4/2014 9:31:20 PM EDT
[#3]
Dig a hole and put them in there.
1/4/2014 9:35:39 PM EDT
[#4]
Pull the bullets, dump the powder in the lawn (or put it in a pile and burn it) and recycle the brass.  For the shotshells, cut them open.  If youre worried about the primers, but the brass in a vice, put on ear pro and tap them with a punch.

I had to take down 70 rounds of surplus 30-06 recently and had fun burning the powder.
1/4/2014 10:20:09 PM EDT
[#5]
Sell them as antiques at the next gun show
1/4/2014 10:21:10 PM EDT
[#6]
Beer and a burn barrel?
1/4/2014 10:21:25 PM EDT
[#7]
soak for a couple days in motor oil, then toss
1/4/2014 10:26:15 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I suppose that would work.  So does a burn barrel.  Or I suppose you could soak the primers in WD-40 or some other penetrating oil and just throw 'em out.They aren't exactly hand grenades (as I've learned through the burn barrel method of disposal).
View Quote


This
1/4/2014 10:38:57 PM EDT
[#9]
Bullet puller, give to reloading friends.
1/4/2014 10:54:43 PM EDT
[#10]
Just shoot it
1/4/2014 11:00:38 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
...

I had to take down 70 rounds of surplus 30-06 recently and had fun burning the powder.
View Quote


Back when I was playing Army in the 80s, I got to watch the artillery folks do their version of this.  The powder charges came in a string of bags, and they'd adjust the number of bags they used based on voodoo magic.  At the end of the exercise, they'd dig a hole, put all the spare bags in and torch them.  Pretty impressive.
1/4/2014 11:29:09 PM EDT
[#12]
If you want to get rid of them find a buddy who's a  gun guy and give them to him.  Win-win.  You're rid of them and he gets a gift.


1/4/2014 11:57:23 PM EDT
[#13]
drop them off at a gun shop
1/5/2014 12:18:07 AM EDT
[#14]


I threw a handful of corroding Nazi ammo into the recharge basin behind where I used to work many years ago.

If it hasn't disappeared completely, it's now about 20' under a parking lot.

Not saying that's what you should do, it's just what I did.
1/5/2014 12:26:35 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Quoted:
drop them off at a gun shop
View Quote


Yep.  Shop, range, and some police departments will accept old ammo.  Call your local PD and ask them if they'll take it.
1/5/2014 12:40:26 AM EDT
[#16]
even if it looks corroded if its brass cased most likely it can be salvaged for components and cleaned up in a vibratory cleaner.
1/5/2014 12:50:12 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:
even if it looks corroded if its brass cased most likely it can be salvaged for components and cleaned up in a vibratory cleaner.
View Quote



1/5/2014 12:56:44 AM EDT
[#18]
Just shoot it.
1/5/2014 1:54:20 AM EDT
[#19]
cut them open and save the shot dump the powder in your garden for fertilizer shak the rest in water to kill the primer and trash it
1/5/2014 6:37:08 AM EDT
[#20]
Some of the 45 is clean enough and I have fired about 3 rounds but it will not cycle any of my guns.

It's a shoebox full of ammo. I realize the brass could be cleaned but I don't reload. The shot shells are plastic and not that old but were in an ammo belt with some leather on it and reacted to that.

I will soak it in oil and toss it at work.

Thanks
1/5/2014 6:51:51 AM EDT
[#21]
Hold on to it.
Won't be long before some politician comes up with a "ammo buy-back" program...............  



.
1/5/2014 6:54:01 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Quoted:
Pull the bullets, dump the powder in the lawn (or put it in a pile and burn it) and recycle the brass.  For the shotshells, cut them open.  If youre worried about the primers, but the brass in a vice, put on ear pro and tap them with a punch.


  If you do that, be careful of which way it's pointed!  Sometimes/often the anvil will shoot out of the primer with considerable force. A friend of mine has an anvil buried into the bone in is arm from doing exactly this. Occasionally the primer will also fire backwards out of the shell, It depends on how tightly they were seated. It's a bit safer if you just put now powderless shell into the proper gun and "shoot" it to destroy the primer but you still have to be aware of where the anvil will go.



I had to take down 70 rounds of surplus 30-06 recently and had fun burning the powder.
View Quote



  Save the bullets and reuse them!
1/5/2014 6:56:11 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote History
Quoted:
soak for a couple days in motor oil, then toss
View Quote



  Doesn't always work!  Many modern primers have a thin sheet of plastic over the priming compound (and below the anvil) and they're surprisingly water (oil) tight.
1/5/2014 7:03:39 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Quoted:
Just shoot it
View Quote


  Badly corroded ammo you're taking a chance on a ruptured case. Depending on gun design It could easily blow parts out of the receiver and blow up stock or blow gas and brass particles back into your face!  Even if no damage is done, ruptured cases can be a bitch to get out!  And it can erode chamber.

  Really don't advise this approach with defective cases!  Better to pull bullets, and use them for reloading.  Pour powder on the grass (it makes good fertilizer!) or burn it. Put powderless cases back into the gun and shoot them to destroy primer.  (Popping primers is a good way to see if you're flinching too.)  After that smash defective cases so that they can't be reused and sell them for brass scrap.
1/5/2014 7:05:08 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Quoted:
Pull the bullets, dump the powder in the lawn (or put it in a pile and burn it) and recycle the brass.  For the shotshells, cut them open.  If youre worried about the primers, but the brass in a vice, put on ear pro and tap them with a punch.

I had to take down 70 rounds of surplus 30-06 recently and had fun burning the powder.
View Quote

This.  I'd use the powder in the garden. Nitrates are good for veggies.
1/5/2014 7:09:10 AM EDT
[#26]
I would pull the bullets and dump the powder in my garden, then throw the rest in the regular trash.