Tumbling live ammunition

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Snowdog

Snowdog

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I recently ordered some DAG ammunition (7.62x51) and didn't discover until after purchasing, fortunately only a battle pack, that it has a reputation for having corrosion on the brass.
I would like to simply tumble the brass in walnut media if it does have slight corrosion.

From my Google search, there are conflicting views on tumbling live ammunition. Some say it changes the burn characteristics of the ammunition while others say this is bunk and tumbling live ammunition is perfectly fine.

What's the skinny on this? Can I tumble my DAG surplus ammunition?
 
Yes, you can tumble. People who say it changes the burn characteristics are crazy.
 
Ah, I was informed "no threads found" when I searched the Handloading and Reloading forum for "tumbling live ammunition". Tumbling loaded ammunition would have brought up that link.

That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
 
You would have to tumble a very,very long time to change the burning characteristics. Just think after manufacture the ammo is transported by truck (lots of vibration over days), maybe shipped by rail or ship, by truck again, and keeps getting transported by various means until it's used.
 
We pretty much put that question to sleep in Janurary due to actual tests done by Walkalong & Snuffy.
Click to expand...

Thanks to Walkalong & Snuffy, this debate can be laid to rest. RIP...

LGB
 
Well, I don't have a tumbler. Lyman says you shouldn't. But the ammo manufacturers do it. No one seems to be able to prove anything at all about powder degradation.

My interpretation to all this is: If you're shooting ammo with round or flat tipped bullets go right ahead. Nothing is going to happen one way or another. My only concern would be this (being I don't have a tumbler I have no way of knowing. I just wipe them clean, not concerned about shiny ammo) if you have "fragile" tipped bullets such as some hollow pointed varmint bullets they may be damaged in the process, or the hollow get crap in it, media or otherwise. The same with Moly coated bullets. That stuff may wear off.

But from a safety standpoint, I don't see any harm.

Do keep in mind, tumble at your own risk, don't blame me if one goes off on you.
 
Thanks to Walkalong & Snuffy, this debate can be laid to rest. RIP...
Click to expand...

If this thread topic could talk, it would quote Arnold Schwarzenegger; "I'll be back!"
 
Seriously, I'm wondering if the burn characteristics of gunpowder would even significantly change if it were ground into a finer powder. I believe the metering properties would change and measuring by volume might then become an issue, but if the amount was already weighed and then ground into a finer powder, perhaps it wouldn't matter.

You know, I have an old .38 special Taurus, and F1 Chrony, some Alliant Bulleye and an old (small) coffee mill. Perhaps I can see if the velocity of 2.5gr of Bullseye under a WC changes any if ground finer. And yes, I have a digital camcorder for those hoping for a catastrophic failure. ;)
 
No, I'm thinking a ransom rest (if my buddy lets me borrow it for this project) and a length of string on private property. But if you insist on me using the lane next to you with heavy magnum loads, so be it. :D
 
If this thread topic could talk, it would quote Arnold Schwarzenegger; "I'll be back!"
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that it will, from time to time.

I normally don't tumble loaded rounds, but when I first read the thread about tumbling loaded rounds, all kinds of thoughts raced through my head going "what if, what if".

Thanks to Walkalong, snuffy and many other THR posters who contributed to the thread, I can sleep at night now - even though I may have forgotten about turning the tumbler off.

I think many other reloaders who come across the "tumbling loaded round" issue will react the same way I did.
 
Not that I want to keep this thing going, but what about what I said about "fragile" tipped bullets in the tumbler? And hollow-points filling up with dust/debris?
 
I've tumbled live rounds for short periods of time just to get the lube off. Works great and doesn't hurt a thing. More than likely the big mfg.'s probably do it before packaging. :eek:
 
Snowdog,
I bet that grinding the powder finer will really accelerate the burn rate. Objects only burn on their surface and grinding increases surface area. Think of how long a pound of wood chips last in a fire, versus a one pound log.
 
Yes, grinding powder up will increase the burn rate drastically.

But tumbling won't grind it up.

I don't think 2.5 grains of Bulleye contains enough energy to blow up anything, ground up or not.
Don't try it with a case full of stick rifle powder though!!

rc
 
Last edited:
Found this email on another board...

RE: Tumbling Loaded Ammo
Tue, March 2, 2010 10:04:34 AMFrom: Dave Campbell Add to Contacts
To: Dave

——————————————————————————–

It is the policy of Hodgdon Powder Co. to reccommend against ever tumbling or vibrating loaded or reloaded ammunition. Vibration for even short
periods of time may degrade propellants or change their burn characteristics. Vibrating propellants may cause coatings to wear off and edges or
ends to erode.

Dave Campbell
Ballistician/ Customer Service
Hodgdon Powder Company Family of Propellants:
Hodgdon Smokeless Powders, The Brand That’s True
IMR Legendary Powders
Winchester Smokeless Powders, For Loading Professionals
Pyrodex
Triple7
Goex Black Powder
White Hots
http://www.hodgdon.com
913-362-9455 ext. 117
[email protected]
 
Why does this subject come up with a higher frequency than barrel break in?
 
Five or six years ago one of there techs told me they advise against tumbling, but they do it. Not sure why my tumbler would have a detrimental effect while their's do not.
 
@ Afy, because this is an issue that arises more than barrel break in. We all are more likely to shoot more reloads than ever the chance at breaking in new guns.

And people want shiny reloads. Don't matter to me. But some do and they want to know either way. Some people say do it, others say don't.

I do have to say one thing in response to all this. I have yet to see a manufacturer say that it's okay for a person to tumble his reloads. I can only find those who say not to. I'll take their advice.
 
I have yet to see a manufacturer say that it's okay for a person to tumble his reloads. I can only find those who say not to. I'll take their advice.
Click to expand...

Many gun manufacturers do not recommend using reloaded ammo.
 
Well, I got my order from Midway yesterday and I opened the battle pack and removed one of the boxes. I've got to say there was a strong musty odor, but no corrosion (nothing like what I've been reading about). This DAG ammunition appears to have been somehow spared of any noticeable corrosion.
I looks like I won't be tumbling any ammunition after all, since there's no gunk to clean off.

Thanks for all the replies!
 
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