Thinking of throwing out some ammo...

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Yoda

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I forgot to remove a speed strip from a pair of pants before they were run through the clothes washer. So, five rounds of .38 Special JHP went through a full heavy duty wash cycle. Before I thought about it, I threw the speed strip into a drawer with two other speed strips, each with 5 rounds of JHP, and now I'm not sure which one actually went through the washer.

I wonder if any water might have seeped into the case and caused the powder to cake. If so, then there might be a chance that the ammo might go "bang" the wrong way... or not.

I'm thinking that ammo is a lot cheaper than a J-frame, so maybe I should just trash all 15 rounds. To me, it's a no-brainer, but I'm curious about what you might think.

Your thoughts?

- - - Yoda
 
When I used to SCUBA dive, I carried a Bang stick that used 357 mag shells, I've taken it down to 80ft and had successful firings with factory ammo. Modern ammo is suprisingly resiliant, for SD I'd change it, but try it for practice.
 
over the years my wife has washed and dried many dozens of assorted calibers; some factory but most my loads. she hands them back to me real shinny and they all fired properly. they would not be my 1st choice for SD. YMMV
 
I believe you would be throwing away 15 perfectly good rounds. A bout with a washing machine wouldn't do nothing but make them clean and shiny.
 
Use `em for practice. I can't see how'd they get to be more powerful by getting wet.
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Worst case would be a squib, set them aside for practice and enjoy blowing up some water jugs with them, on a dirt berm that will show impact if you miss. Any round that seems oddly quiet and doesn't show an impact (this is unlikely, really) make sure the bore isn't obstructed, which is pretty easy with a revolver.
 
Shoot them up for practice. Just don't do and speed shooting drills on the outside chance that you have a hang fire. I have washed a few rounds in my pockets before and they all worked fine.
 
I wouldn't bet my life on such rounds, but I would have no problem shooting them off at the range. The worst that could happen is that they would be duds. The fit between the primer and its pocket, and the bullet to the case, is quite tight, even without extra sealant. It would be quite difficult for water to penetrate either.
 
Use at the range... for piece of mind, carry fresh... As stated, it will shoot fine, I'd bet $50.00 on it... but my life..It's worth (to me) more that the cost of a fresh box...

I've done the Scuba thing too... same depths, same caliber, same experience.. They have recovered battlefield ammo exposed to elements for 40 50 years, components still clean and hot.. I remember hearing as a kid about some civil war ordinance that exploded... it had been exposed to the elements for about 100 years...

Not to worry...
 
I've washed a whole mag before, Mecgar, still works great, shot the ammo at range, all worked fine, BUT it was S&B with the military sealer at the primer and case mouth...
 
You will obviously feel safer if you buy some fresh carry ammo.

But there is nothing wrong with the ammo you have. I dropped 200 rounds of WWB into a mud puddle at my outdoor practice spot. They sat there for about 2 hours before I realized where they were. They all ran fine. At least your ammo went through clean water. :)
 
Dont throw them away use them next time at practice there not going to go bang the wrong way iether they bang or dont your in no danger.
 
I dropped a round of 9mm in the sink last weekend, it was there for a few minutes before I realized where it flew off to. It shot fine. Go out and practice with the ammo you are uncertain about. If in the unlikely event you don't feel normal recoil, stop and check.

I'm thinking you are going to have no problems and when you get some new ammo for you speed strips, you will have fresh ammo to carry.

Clutch
 
For SD-ammo i would purchase new, leave the "cleaned" stuff for the range/practice or for some reckless endangerment throw it into a burning pile of brush/tree stumps (preferably miles away from anybody's house) and run behind nearest barn,, not recommended disposal method,but it sounds funny !! :evil: zip-zing -pop !! (a childhood experience) :uhoh:
 
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