Cleaning Old Shot Shells

[westcoaster]

In a box full of ammo, reloading supplies and powder, I got from my dad, I found six bricks of 12 gauge shells. The box has been sealed in a dry location for the better part of 25 years I would say, and the inside of the box itself has been dry as well. Upon inspection of the shot shells, the quality ranged from like new to those in the following images. I'm sure they will go bang, but are they safe? If they are shoot-able should they be cleaned? I wager they should/could be, what is the best way?

Thanks in advance for any help! Cheers,

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I would dispose of any shells that look like the rusty ones in the last two photos.

Speaking just strictly for myself, I would shoot those that look like the ones in your first photo. Though I'd probably run them through my NID SxS for extra safety. I wouldn't bother to clean them either. But you must do what you feel comfortable with.

Save the boxes and store them well. Such boxes are collectable.

dalee

 

[displacedtexan]

Hi,

I would dispose of any shells that look like the rusty ones in the last two photos.

Speaking just strictly for myself, I would shoot those that look like the ones in your first photo. Though I'd probably run them through my NID SxS for extra safety. I wouldn't bother to clean them either. But you must do what you feel comfortable with.

Save the boxes and store them well. Such boxes are collectable.

dalee

I agree.

I wouldn't worry about safety of shooting the rusty ones, it just doesn't "feel right" to me.

 

[richard j]

i used to reload a lot of 12 guage shells and i would pitch any hull casing that a magnet stuck to (other than on the primer which contains a steel anvil).

any AA hull is good to reload. you can pick up a reloading guide supplied by most powder manufacturers so you know how much powder to use and other info you need to know.

 

[Shoki]

Last year, I went through about 5 boxes of 'vintage' shells that my father-in-law picked up somewhere. About every 3rd went bang and they looked like they were in better shape than your last two photos. If it were me, I would toss any that look like the last two pics and maybe give the others a quick rub with steel wool or a wire brush (manual, not motorized) before putting them in my shotgun. It might accomplish nothing but I'd feel better about doing it.

 

[Erasmus]

Take the worst of the tarnished heads to a buffing or Scotchbrite wheel, and shoot 'em up.