Dirty 38 SIP Ammo

[Larry Noble]

I have about 10 boxes of ammo, 38SIP, that was packed away and termites
got in and ate the boxes away. They also left a termite residue on the casing
in the primer area. This residue will come off if sprayed with WD40 and
rubbed. Would it be safe to dump all the ammo in a bucket and soak in some
liquid. What would be safe to soak then in? Mineral spirits,Turpentine, or what
else? OR would it be best to just dispose of them

 

[Sam]

Welcome Larry,
It would be safe to dunk them in some cleaning solvent, but it would ruin the ammo. No telling how long it would take, could be seconds for some, days for others. WD40 has an especially bad reputation around here for kiling primers.

I would put my grandchildren to work on it with 0000 steel wool if I needed to keep them quiet for an hour or two.

If they would chamber, I'd put 'em in my 28 and practice my hip shooting.

Sam

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

38 SIP ?

 

[only1asterisk]

Standard Issue Police?

David

 

[The Bushmaster]

I knew that!!! Unless they have collectors value, I'd just render them safe and disgard them....38's are cheap. Why spend that kind of labor to clean what you can load or buy cheaply...

 

[Ky Larry]

If you are a reloader, you could pull the bullets, dump the powder, and tumble the brass clean. If you fire the primed cases, clean your gun thoroughly immediately afterwards. The primers may be corrosive. If the brass is corroded, I'd just dump the whole lot. .38 brass is cheap and plentiful. Good luck.