Cleaning dirty lube out of bands

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jtuck

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I have a box of .45 bullets that are lubed and have been sitting for who knows how many years. There is all kinds of dirt and dust stuck in the lube. I don't want to run that down my barrel. Does anyone know the best way to clean them up?

As scarce as components are getting, I don't want to throw anything away.
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Put them in a (disposable) sauce pan, cover with water and boil. The crap floating on top will be the melted lube. Drain, and dry bullets. Lube with Lee Liquid Alox; load, shoot. Repeat as required. ;)
 
nicholst55 said:
Put them in a (disposable) sauce pan, cover with water and boil. The crap floating on top will be the melted lube. Drain, and dry bullets. Lube with Lee Liquid Alox; load, shoot. Repeat as required.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. Now to find a saucepan my wife doesn't value too highly...
 
Put a piece of rag under the bullets in the pan to ensure there is always a layer of water between the pan bottom and bullets. If the water was to boil out from under the flat base of one the heat transferred directly to the bullet could be enough to mushroom the bottom. It's not likely to happen, but could.

When you're done boiling set it all off the stove to cool and the lube will harden on top where you can lift it off.
 
I have the same situation with thousands of .38 lead bullets that a friend gave me. They are pretty crusty and filthy, so old that they came in a small wood crate. I just soak them in mineral sprites for a couple days, then rinse off with soapy hot water and let dry for another couple days. They come out pretty clean and the old lube comes right off, but still a bit crusty from oxidation. I've also been using the Lee Liquid Alox lube to cover the whole thing. I've fired maybe a thousand of them in my .357 that I've prepared that way and have not had any problems. I agree that's it would be a shame to not use them, especially at today's prices.
 
SquirrelNuts said:
You could use a double boiler too if you are worried about the bullets contacting the bottom of the pan.
Click to expand...

Then just add cream and semisweet chocolate and you can make an excellent ganache. :D
 
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