Loaded ammo with termite damage

[jackinfl]

Have a few cases of 223 that termites ate into the cardboard. Some of the live rounds have corrosion and well stuck on termite shit.

What's the consensus on tumbling some in vibratory tumbler w media?

Bad idea?

 

[blackblue]

Just wipe them down.

 

[Namekagon]

I'd worry about tumbling loaded rounds messing with powder burn rate. If it were me, I'd hit the cases with spots on them with Flitz polish on a rag. Maybe chuck a shell-holder in a drill if they are really bad. Should have those cases cleaned up quick with minimum side effects.

On a related note, I have some cases that a mouse pissed/shit on and it corroded the brass. Dark gray/greenish spots on the brass, 1/4" in diameter. I tumbled them, but it didn't remove some of them. Wondering if my cases are crap now. Is mouse piss full of ammonia or something that could weaken the brass?

 

[supercorndogs]

You should fine in a vibratory tumbler. Factory loaded ammo is tumbled after loading.

 

[spife7980]

Work a shot, not sure how well it’ll get rid of termite shit... can’t say I’ve tried it.
I imagine it’s glued on, I’d probably just try a bit of 0000 steel wool.

 

[SkyScrapin]

Tumbling is fine. I do it all the time, and so do the ammo manufacturers.

 

[5pins]

Just shoot the shit out of it.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Tumbling won't hurt it unless you leave it in there for like 4-5 hours.

I had loaded some test rounds of 308 and ran them through the pressure test barrel to verify velocity and pressure. All good.
Cranked out 1k and tossed them into the cement mixer tumbler that we used. Set the timer and completely forgot about them for well over an hour. (I was busy setting up a pair of Camdex machines to run 9mm.)
When I did remember, I freaked out. Took a handful of those sparkly clean rounds and fired them in the test barrel.
The pressure difference was so small, it wasn't even worth noting.

 

[ColdSteel260]

Tumble them. Shoot them. Done deal.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Depends on what you're going to fire them in. If it's a Anderson or PSA AR15...just load and fire. If it's a higher end rifle, you can take some 320 grit sandpaper and give then a once over; then blow them off; then light them up.

 

[GONE BAD]

Hahaha,lol. I knew Anderson and PSA were more reliable than anything else!

 

[jackinfl]

Before....

 

[jackinfl]

After....of course some came out better than others.
Any recommendations on an additive for the tumbler?
What a mess.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Is your house ok?

 

[TxWelder35]

Is your house ok?

Important things first, house can wait.

 

[jackinfl]

Thankfully this was not in the house.

 

[Im2bent]

What media were you using? You need something more abrasive like fresh walnut shell. That shit looks seriously stuck on there.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Love that dedication.

Important things first, house can wait.

 

[spife7980]

Throw it away if it looks shit. Save it if not.

 

[jackinfl]

What media were you using? You need something more abrasive like fresh walnut shell. That shit looks seriously stuck on there.

Iosso corn media

 

[Mike Casselton]

Walnut with some type of brass cleaner like Iosso or Flitz.
Corn cob is just for polishing, not cleaning