Pulled Bullet Cleaning

[Catpop]

I have these bullets that were recovered from cartridges with bad powder. The bullet bases are stained from the powder that deteriorated within the case. Most are a blackish color with a few also showing verdigris.
Questions;
1. Are these bullets structurally damaged from the effects of deteriorated powder?
2. Would using these bullets contaminate new powder if reloaded?
3. What is the best way to remove this coloration? Some are soft point, some TMJ, some FMJ with exposed lead core, etc. so cleaning method shoul be compatible with lead.
Thanks for advise

 

[bullseye308]

I’d probably use a dry tumbler with walnut depending on the quantity. If you only have a few I’d chuck them in a drill and use a scotch bright type pad on them.

 

[wcwhitey]

Tumble them. Won’t be a problem.

 

[Jerry M]

A few twists on 000 steel wool should do the trick.

 

[Walkalong]

Clean them up, use them for plinkers. That's what I did with these.

 

[AJC1]

I would evaluate depending on jacket. If it's a hollowpoint clean by hand. Sealed tip vibratorry tumbler.

 

[Slamfire]

I don't recommend tumbling them, just something to rub off the corrosion.

Can't say bullets get structurally damaged. Besides, they are under compression when going down the tube. Whereas cartridge cases get stretched.

Don't tumble bullets. I did that trying to remove the tar from pulled 174 FMJBT military bullets. Tumbled them a long time and they all looked shot peened and did not shoot well afterwards.

From then on, pulled bullets with tar sealant went in a jar filled with kerosene. Then wiped them, washed them in soap and water, and they shot well.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

A pickle jar and kerosene. Let them soak a few days then wipe down with a bar towel. They’ll be fine.

 

[Rule3]

Nah, it is better in a Mayo jar!

In a hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnalls’ porch since noon today.

 

[johnjohn]

The only ones I have that I've pulled have been lead. They are waiting to be remelted.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use Diesel instead of kerosene, a little more available. Also use it to remove tar from my car/truck/van/trailer. Years ago I went fishing to a small hidden away lake. Going in I had a dirt road. When I left they had freshly tared/oil it. It took me hours to wipe the tar off the boat, trailer and van.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I use Diesel instead of kerosene, a little more available. Also use it to remove tar from my car/truck/van/trailer. Years ago I went fishing to a small hidden away lake. Going in I had a dirt road. When I left they had freshly tared/oil it. It took me hours to wipe the tar off the boat, trailer and van.

Kero, diesel, JP... same stuff, different additives. Mostly just detergents, inhibitors and vapor control agents.

 

[lightman]

I've sprayed them with brake cleaner or electrical contact cleaner before when I didn't have any diesel or kerosene. About any solvent will cut the tar thats on military bullets. For corrosion I've used Scotch pads or steel wool.