Got some questionable hand loads

If you have to ask, you already answered your own question.

Are your hands or gun worth more than the ammo?

ready4shtf, I know I would toss them. You've already found some that could be dangerous and I just won't shoot other people's handloads. In fact I'm always a bit leery of what are supposed to be "factory" loads from someone I don't know well. Some people might try to pull them down to save the component brass and bullets but those little 9MMs are a b---- to pull down and I question any savings. JMO.
Baker

I'd say so. Out of all the calibers I reload, I don't fool around with too deeply seated 9mm cartridges as I understand there can be a steep pressure point encountered if the projectiles get pushed back too far into the case (with the higher pressure 9mm loads). I've read this in numerous articles, but never experienced the issue myself. I hear .40 cal can create similar issues. But I've also read that the people that used to have these problems back when 9mm was real popular were the ones who were handloading on the fine line of trying to squeak out as much velocity or foot pounds of power as possible.

If it's just a handful of cartridges, I'd axe 'em just to be on the safe side...

I would get rid of ALL of them. find a safe place and burn them

I wouldn't shoot someone else's handloads, no matter what they look like, unless I trust them with my life. Or at least with my fingers and eyes.

It's not all that hard to make a little pipe bomb when making ammo... using the wrong powder, or too much of the right powder is all it takes.

I might consider disassembling them and using the pieces. A hand loader might like to have the bullets, if they can be used. Maybe even the primed brass, if it looks good. The powder must be discarded.

I have a similar dilemma.

I bought a pistol and the owner threw in 100 handloads, and I bought another 100 from him.

I had a kaboom that blew debree into my face and the mag out of the bottom of the gun.

I was not injured, but thankfully wearing glasses.

Later, the gun malfunctioned and froze up completely, possibly due to the kaboom.

I did take it apart and managed to get the gun functioning again at the range.

I spoke with the seller and he also had a kaboom with his reloads!

I fixed the gun but now deciding:

1) Whether to take it to a gunsmith to have him examine it;
2) What to do with the 50 or 100 rounds I have;

I think I'll end up coughing up the money to have the gun examined. Although it appears fine, I should just be certain.

As far as the ammo, I can either shoot it, give it back to the seller (possibly ask for my money back on those reloads), or keep it for a much more desperate time (like a barter item in a TEOTW scenario).

Bottom line, we're talking probably a $20 loss on the ammo. No big deal and not worth injury or real damage to the gun.

Maybe you can shrink wrap the ammo or at least zip lock them or something before you bury them.

Use non-degradable clean plastic jugs like laundry soap jugs. These are free and durable and will last 50 years, and are probably very close to air tight.

If they're not safe to fire now, what will make them safe to fire after being buried in an ammo can for some time?

Put them in Plastic jugs that can be sealed & then fill the jugs with Brake fluid this over a short amount of time renders them useless & safe & dispose of them ! Experiance is something you get 5mins after you needed it! You've had the Brains to ask before you made the mistake of fireing any of this crap ! Yes it's embarresing when we make a mistake of buying something that turns out to be dangerous ! But I like to think of it as being a learning curve! Just cut your loses ,& the next time your at a show if you see anyone bout to buy stuff off of Bubba incorperated just have a quiet word in their ear ,about how you got caught ! Also warn your freinds about this sort of thing !


Dave

By "greenish bullets" you mean tarnished copper? If so I'd be willing to buy them from you for cheap. I'd break them down and use the parts to feed a buddies machine gun. If the bullets are lead I wouldn't be interested. PM me if you are interested.

peace.
unloaded

Another option is to get a bullet puller, and pull them. Toss the powder (who knows what it is). Save the primed brass. Toss the bullets unless they look good, if so then weigh them to make sure you know what they are before using.

1300 is a lot of pulling, though...

Shooting someone elses handloads is like borrowing their toothbrush. In a desperate situation I might do it if it looked well cared for/maintained and I knew the individual well. The circumstances would have to be extreme however. Dump the ammo.

That's why I don't buy reloads. There were some really good prices on reloads at the last gun auction I went to, but I waited for the good stuff to be trotted out. The price wasn't that much different, but the peace of mind was.

I'd donate a case of auction reloads to Bill Clinton if I thought he'd use them.

There's no reason to destroy the reloads. You can dissasemble the rounds and use the components. While this isn't as economically rewarding in 9mm being that factory rounds are so inexpensive, it is better than just throwing them away.

Take 'em apart

ready4shtf and leadcounsel;
Why on earth would you even consider using someone else's reloads at all? Even if you watched those people making them the risk is not worth it! The Navy seals have a saying: "You're not a REAL Seal 'till you eat Italian steel". And that is with factory/military rounds! Ask yourself if you really want to eat or permanently wear parts of your nice guns?

You can pull them and use the brass... may be more time than its worth, I would not shoot them.

Ask anyone selling "reloads" or "custom" ammunition what their warranty is.

In fact, it is against federal law to sell ammunition MANUFACTURED by anyone other than those federally licensed to do so.
That would be class #06, #07 & #10 FFL.

I don't buy unknown ammo.