100's of .38 lead bullets...what to do???

[H1500308]

See the attached pictures...I was given these bullets (free) and I have no idea who made them. They are at LEAST 20 years old and appear to have some old lubricant on them. I don't know if they were cast by someone in their basement or purchased.

Can I just load these and shoot???? Is there anything I need to do since they've been just sitting for so long??

 

[NCsmitty]

I would verify their diameter and check the lube with a toothpick to see if it's dried out or still pliable.
If they're dried out, a coating of liquid Alox will allow them to be used.


NCsmitty

 

[Linear Thinker]

These look to be home-cast, Lyman 358271 or similar mold. Excellent for 38 Special or 357 Mag.

Bullets don't go bad, just load them and shoot them.
Weigh them 1st, of course, before deciding on a load.
LT

 

[H1500308]

Just measured a few. Came out at .358 diameter. I reload a lot of jacketed and plated bullets but no lead...yet.

What are the two black rings around the bullets?? A few of the bullets have a few chunks of this stuff missing.

I think the lube on these is completely dried out. They've been in a storage shed for many, many, YEARS.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The rings around the bullets are the lube, if that's dried out then do what NCsmitty said.

Since they are .358" they are perfect for 38/357 loading. Don't forget to weigh them too so you can use the proper charge.

Actually, since they have been sitting around for a while they are probably slightly harder than they where when first cast. They should shoot quite well.

If you don't want to shoot them I will, just send them over to me and I'll dispose of them without delay!

 

[DUCKNDAWG]

send them to me and I will dispose of them properally!!!! Load them up and shoot em!!

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

Since you don't load lead, you should give them away in a contest, the only rule for elagibility is you have to be a fat bald guy from S.E. Ohio with a funny name.

 

[rcmodel]

I would not even worry about the "old lube".

It appears to be a graphite based Lyman Ideal type.

It will work just as well old as it does new.

Even the ones with some missing lube will shoot just fine.

rc

 

[freakshow10mm]

I've shot bullets looking far worse than that. Load and shoot. Probably 158gr SWCs. Weigh them, load up and shoot.

 

[Clarence]

Shoot em

 

[NuJudge]

The Lyman Ideal lube has the reputation of being excellent at low velocities, but allowing Leading at higher velocities.

CDD

 

[kanook]

I'll give ya the going rate for ww's for them if your not interested in shooting them.

 

[CSA 357]

O those are no good, send them to me and ill melt them down, they should be fine, put some alox on them and load um, csa

 

[loadedround]

Once you weigh them, load them up and shoot them with moderate powder weights as shown in your manual.

 

[something vague]

Wish someone would give me a charge of free boolits. I will gladly take those off your hands if you don't want to bother leading up your gun, i mean you may not be able to shoot jacketed ever again after using these. It's just not worth it man. hand them over.

 

[Furncliff]

I purchased some old bullets recently. The all looked the same but it turned out they varied A LOT in weight. Check them for weight.

 

[Eightball]

Measure, weigh, load, shoot.