The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hi,

I'm currently using some cheap .308 ammo and on average 2 rounds in a box of 20 is too corroded to be used in my rifle. I don't care much about the brass having green areas, that makes the round just sticky on extraction, but the white blooms will burn through the casing when fired and can damage the chamber (trust me I tried and have same of these cases).
Having gone through a years supply I now have started to de-construct the 200 rounds that I put aside - heads are pulled and the powder removed. Somebody gave me the tip to safely destroy the primers by drowning them in oil.

My questions:
- has anyone done this?
- what type of oil can I use?

I was thinking about buying a litre of the cheapest motor oil but then remembered that I still have that bottle of smelly olive oil to get rid off - would that work?


A.

I would have thought that just getting them wet would have sufficed, will accept that when you are looking at throwing 200 out you need to be certain.

Will view the replies with interest,

DM

Pull them throw the powder on the garden and then either oil them with WD40 or push the primers out as you would when resizing. I have tried both methods with success.

I suppose a third option would be to fire the 'emptied' cases however it is certainly not something I would do.

Out of interest is this German Milsurp?

ovenpaa wrote: I suppose a third option would be to fire the 'emptied' cases however it is certainly not something I would do.

I am not sure if they would feed from a magazine and I don't really fancy cleaning afterwards..

ovenpaa wrote: Out of interest is this German Milsurp?

Yes, this is the MEN ammo. When pulling the head I also found that these are magnetic.

Some searching explained that these are M80 ball:
"Gilding-metal-clad-steel or "GMCS" is the standard specification jacket material for M80 Ball. The M80 ball is the standard projectile for the 7.62mm ammunition. It is a nominal 147 grain FMJ boattail bullet with a copper clad steel jacket and knurled cannelure."

The MEN ones are silver coloured, but that is just metal wash.. I think these are the specs: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthre ... post477519

Or from Janes Ammunition Handbook- 7.62mm NATO (http://armslocker.com/rifles/31057-jane ... -nato.html)
Germany
Manufacturer
RUAG Ammotec
Type: Ball DM111: FMJ; 9.45 g; MV 850 m/s; Sintox, non-toxic


A.

MEN Patrone, is grotty stuff but quite quick and works to 1000 yards. It certainly does look grim though. The good news is the brass is very good if you fancy reloading Berdan. The bad news is you cannot pop the primers with a conventional die as it is Berdan. You can always give it a quick twist wipe with some scotchbrite and shoot it (I am sure we can come to an agreement if you want to get rid ) Alternatively pull it and give it a quick squirt with WD40

ovenpaa wrote: You can always give it a quick twist wipe with some scotchbrite and shoot it (I am sure we can come to an agreement if you want to get rid )

Well have a look at the brass.. if there are bright white spots on it - look at the case again after shooting. I had more than one round where it burnt right through at exactly those spots.


A.

ovenpaa wrote:Pull them throw the powder on the garden and then either oil them with WD40 or push the primers out as you would when resizing. I have tried both methods with success.

I suppose a third option would be to fire the 'emptied' cases however it is certainly not something I would do.

A fourth: Hand them over the counter at the NRA Range Office.

..

Just contaminate the primers with a drop of oil; that will neutralize them. I suggest you certainly do this before trying to remove them from the case. My understanding is that the oil is a permanent so you can then simply discard the primers.

Watcher wrote:Just contaminate the primers with a drop of oil; that will neutralize them. I suggest you certainly do this before trying to remove them from the case. My understanding is that the oil is a permanent so you can then simply discard the primers.

The primers will still detonate if subjected to heat, even after oiling - I've tried it. The scrap merchant (if you weigh them in) wants them safe.

Just back from the metal recycling centre and £160 richer :-P
They were not fuzzy about the 250 well oiled cases.. overall 66kg, not bad for the last 18 month shooting.

A.