Proper Procedure to Dispose of Damaged Rounds/Bullets?

Jeff B.

[Rockinfreakapotamus]

Every once in a while, I find an old round (usually a .22LR) while metal detecting. They are almost always corroded and sometimes bent or the bullet is loose but still attached to the brass. Today, I found a shiny .243 Winchester centerfire in the gutter across the street from my house - picked it up and found a dent in it probably from being run over by a car.

Could someone please tell me the safe and preferred procedure for handling these / rendering them inert. I look forward to your replies. Thanks.

[Reweld]

To dispose of a few old cartridges, just go to an unused corner of the yard (or woods), poke a hole in the ground with a pointed stick, and push the cartridge into its new little grave with your finger. No risk of anything involved, and couldn't be easier.

[chickenlips]

The proper way is to dispose of them in oil. Apparently this prevents future accidental discharge. I would think you could keep a small container of motor oil for putting the rounds in until you can find a range or gun shop that can dispose of them for you.

[ILoveCats]

Why would he want to bring himself that much closer to risk?

Care to explain the risk?

[VA Advogado]

Care to explain the risk?

Not an explosive expert here, but I would think the risk of being injured would be higher when you start banging on a bullet with a hammer rather than throwing it in the garbage or kicking it in the sewer. Call me crazy.

[ILoveCats]

My concern is what to do with the primered case - Centerfires can be quite dangerous I hear.

After you pull the bullet and empty the powder, you can clamp the case in a vise and use a propane torch to set the primer off. The primer may pop out off the pocket and fly across the garage or workshop, depending on the size of the flash hole, but not with enough force to hurt anything.

Soaking in oil may not help. I've tried that as an experiment and it never worked for me. (I think the oil theory may be one promoted by gun manufacturers to pass the buck on misfires.)