How to clean gunpowder from lead bullets?

[schwammy]

I just got hold of 2000 older 30 Carbine rounds with lead bullets. The problem is that they are too light on the recoil to fully cycle through my AutoMag III. The brass cleaned up and sized up fine in the usually manner. All my reloading experience with lead has been with new bullets. After pulling them apart and seeing 2000 bullets, I'd like to reuse them. (I've got 2000, why not?) The grooves are filled with a bunch of gunpowder stuck in there and I am wondering how to clean that out. I've read in other places not to tumble them, but can't find information on what to do instead. I'd rather not have to use a toothbrush to clean 2000 bullets, does anybody know the answer or have some ideas?

 

[mbopp]

I was given some old cast bullets that had a lot of gunk on them. I swished them around in some acetone (from my Ed's Red supply stock,) let them dry, and toss-lubed them with some Lee Liquid Alox.

 

[blarby]

Happen to have a sonic cleaner handy ?

 

[evan price]

Boiling water, then tumble lube them with Lee Liquid Alox.

 

[rcmodel]

Or, just load them like they are.

The case mouth will shave off most of the powder grains sticking to the outside, and what is left over compressed into the lube won't hurt anything anyway.

May probably have to clean your seating die with a bore brush a little more often though

rc

 

[schwammy]

Thanks for the advice! I'm a little (ok, a lot) OCD, so I will surely be cleaning them. Like the idea of a sonic cleaner; been thinking about getting something a bit more quiet and this might be 'the reason that I have been looking for'

 

[winchester1886]

I just use cheap rubbing alcohol and a rag. Works for me.