how do i keep lead bullets from oxidizing?

[markush]

(short version) This isn't really a reloading question but know you guys would have an answer here. Is there a way to keep lead bullets from oxidizing while sitting exposed to the air in the loops on a holster rig?

(long winded version) I loaded up the bullet loops on my Mernickle rig with some Winchester John Wayne commemorative .45 colt ammo because the nickle plated cases go so well with the black leather, silver gonchos, and stainless Vaquero

When i pulled the rig out of the back of the safe last week after about six months of storage the lead bullets had a sticky white coating. It wiped off with some rubbing alcohol and i put the rounds back in the box...is there something i can wipe them down with so i can leave them on my rig instead of in the box?

 

[NCsmitty]

Not sure but maybe paste wax or No-Ox corrosion preventative grease like they use on battery terminals.
I'm sure someone else might have a better idea.

NCsmitty

 

[snuffy]

Go to the drug store to find some lump camphor. It'll be encased in plastic, just bust it open on one side, put it in your gunsafe. When camphor evaporates, it leaves a coating of oil on everything in the safe. It's what I use in lue of a goldenrod dehumidifier. Anyone seeking to stop silver from tarnishing can use the camphor as well.

 

[Horsemany]

Having them close to leather won't help. There are many corrosion causing salty chemicals used in tanning leather. I'd try SCJ Paste Wax. I bet that'll do it.

 

[MMCSRET]

I live in a very dry climate and have never seen that happen. I was loading 10 year old lead bullets today and they were dull but not oxidized. I had never thought about it before.

 

[rcmodel]

It seems you have something else going on in your gun safe then just storing guns.

I have never seen lead bullets oxidize white in storage, even after 40 years.

You either have a very high humidity problem, or your gun-belt is giving off toxic fumes!

It is always brass cases next to leather that causes big problems when they grow green vertigres on them.

I've never seen anything like what you describe with lead bullets though, except on ammo that is very very old.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

I have bullets I cast over 15 years ago that look like new. I have some commercial ones in a box younger than that and they have started to "haze" over. I think they were cast at too high a temperature, but I am just guessing.

 

[Claude Clay]

store them where there is no oxygen; L-4 or L-5 will also keep them in place almost forever

 

[rfwobbly]

Having them close to leather won't help. There are many corrosion causing salty chemicals used in tanning leather.

I'm no chemist, but I think Horsemany may have hit the nail on the head. There are many chemicals that can be used in tanning leather and each company does it differently. The fact that no one else has bullets turning white seems to indicate it may be an issue with the chemicals in the leather.

I once had a prized Browning HP. Once after a carry, I made the mistake of leaving it in a holster. After only a week there were multiple rust spots appearing on it. It broke my heart.

 

[mija]

After you load them spray with a dry case lube. It is used in reloading. It is a dry wax that is transparent and will seal out 02 thus preventing oxidation.
I have used it on several items without problem.

 

[markush]

When you guys mentioned it might have something to do with the leather it made me remember that i had wrapped the rig back up in the plastic that it was shipped to me in. So essentially the bullets were on the loops sealed in a bag with the leather...duh!

I still think i want to try and seal them with something like some of you mentioned. The dry case lube sounds like it would make the most sense but what is L-4 or L-5 that one person mentioned? I'm leery about using a paste wax that was made for furniture or is it the same as case lube? Would any of these products cause problems, like increased pressures, if i had to fire the bullets coated with it?

 

[rcmodel]

I'd try Johnson's Paste Floor Wax.

It won't hurt a single thing if you wipe it off, or leave it on, shoot it, or don't shoot it for years.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4110525&postcount=7

rc

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

You can give them a light rub with a synthetic lube such as Tri Flo as it will not get tacky over years of storage and is user friendly to firearm bores. Just put a few drops on a non shedding rag or gun cleaning patch and work the lube well into the patch and rub the boolits with it . Another trick is to vacuum pack them but be sure to use lots of hot soapy water to clean the vacuum packer vacuum tray . I have seen this on some old bullets I have picked up over the years and the bullets were very brittle leading me to think maybe they had high linotype content or something that promoted the chalky corrosion I saw ????