Oxidation on Lead Balls

[J-Bar]

Maybe 10 years ago I found a good buy on Hornady swaged lead balls in a store that was going out of business. I bought enough to last a few lifetimes!

It has been almost that long since I went hunting with my Hawken. In going through my supplies today I found the old balls are covered with white oxidation. They still mike out to the proper diameter, so I think they will ride in a lubed patch OK.

My question is, can further oxidation be prevented? I thought about storing them in a container of some kind of oil, like maybe olive oil, to prevent contact with air. I could melt them down for use in my percussion revolvers if I have to, but would like to preserve them if I can.

Any experiences?

 

[mjsdwash]

pretty much any wax or grease will do it

 

[rodwha]

I've read it's no issue at all.

 

[robhof]

I got a vacuuseal 8 yrs ago and went nuts sealing all my ammo bullets ect....I recently found some bullets I sealed when I first got the sealer and they were as shiny as new. I seal in batches of 50 or 100 and just bring the bag or bags that I will use at the range that day.

 

[MEHavey]

Just rinse/slosh them off in a plastic tuperware tub of diluted soapy water.
Pour them out onto a folded piece of paper towel and walk away....

Nothing else needed before, now, or after.

 

[Curator]

I fired about 50 of them today with no problem. The oxidation has no effect on their usefulness. Do wash your hands afterwards. I do tumble .490 round balls i make for our local Boy Scout Camp in a thinned Lee Liguid Alox to prevent oxidation after one of the Scouter-Moms would not let her delicate snow flakes shoot muzzle loading rifles because they would be exposed to lead oxide a known carcinogen. Alox-tumbled balls stay nice and shiny for more than a year so coated.

 

[Panzerschwein]

That stuff makes wine taste really sweet if you mix it in with it. Not recommended. That's how the Romans went nuts and screwed up the 1st Reich. At least that's what they think!

 

[MEHavey]

...Alox to prevent oxidation after one of the Scouter-Moms
would not let her delicate snow flakes shoot muzzle loading
rifles because they would be exposed to lead oxide

Good grief.....

.

 

[Noz]

Chute em J-Bar, chute em.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

In the condition you describe, simply shoot them as-is.

Long term oxidation (many years) which causes swelling or heavy flakes of oxidation to form which break free will have a detrimental effect on accuracy because bullet mass will change. This is due to loss of mass as the Lead oxide layer flakes away as well as changes in bullet diameter.

Don't forget...Lead oxide powder goes airborn much easier. That's a long term heavy metal health concern.

Preventuon of oxidation is pretty easy...just coat the bullets as others suggest.

 

[J-Bar]

Thanks, folks!

I rinsed off the loose stuff, and after the balls had dried sprayed them lightly with a polyurethane varnish, just a skosh. They were dry in a minute and are now stored in a ziplock freezer bag. I'll save the Alox for my cartridge bullets.

If I tag a doe next week, I will post pictures!

Merry Christmas to all my smoky pals!

 

[eastbank]

i sprayed mine with a car wax, works very well and doesn,t affect the loading or firing. eastbank.