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I was rummaging through ammo cans, and "realized" (never forgot, just never got around to doing anything with it) that I have most of a case of Hornady/Frontier .30-06 loaded with 168 grain boat tail match bullets that was water damaged (it came that way...). Some of it looks fine, and would probably go bang; some of it definitely was wet, and may not go bang. It was probably made in the mid 1980s.

The dilemma: sell it? Pull the bullets? (Not really planning to reload any .30-06...) I suppose the brass could be saved, but the obviously 'was wet' stuff may not be safe. And then, how do you get rid of primed cases (or primers if it's safe to deprime them)?


I may have to start a "name that bullet" thread; someone gave me a couple of hundred rounds of unboxed mixed 9mm, and 45ACP; some having interesting bullets, some that I don't recognize. There are at least 2 rounds of Black Talons in the bunch, and some Hydrashocks, but those were easy to spot.

I know a lot of folks will disagree with me, but I'd shoot it. Even the "definitely wet" stuff, I'd at least I'd try a round or two. I'd be surprised if it was actually bad. Assuming water never got to the powder you should be good to go.

The blue crusty stuff on some of them would give me pause... The clean ones, though, will probably go bang. But I don't know if I want to risk a Garand or my M1903 Springfield with it.

The proper procedure is to send them to me. I will waive the hazardous materials disposal fee.

I knew you'd offer that service.

You need to get that ammo out of state as quickly as possible. I volunteer to receive and dispose of it. Just send it to New Mexico. I'll take care of the rest.

Unless there were obvious signs of corrosion, I'd probably shoot it (depending on what gun was available). I'd probably pull a couple of bullets to check that the bullets weren't stuck in the case due to corrosion or contaminants and to check the state of the powder first.

I'd pull the bullets from stuff that is corroded enough to seem unsafe, then dump and burn the powder. I use a 12 ounce soda can with the lid cut off and a long lighter. You can load and fire the primers, or you can kill them by putting a few drops of Rem Oil (or other penetrating oil) into the primer through the flash hole, then deprime as normal. I like to wait 10 minutes before depriming after adding the oil.

I agree with the thoughts to pull the bullets, they can be used for 308 as well. Not sure what they are worth value wise though.

If you pull the bullets, you can use the powder as fertilizer. IIRC, gunpowder is over 10% nitrogen in the form of nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose isn't water-soluble, so has to be broken down over time by microorganisms and soil conditions. Voila! A timed-release plant food. Don't think I'd use it in heavy concentrations, though.