The best method for getting rid of your old ammo will depend on a couple of different factors. The quanitity of bad ammo you have makes a big difference. Ditching a handful of bad rimfire cartridges is much easier than figuring out what to do with a dozen ammo cans worth of.
Your geographical location also has an effect on what options you have. The closer you live to a major metropolitan area, the more likely you are to have public facilities nearby that are equipped to handle ammo disposal. Depending on what kind of condition your alleged bad ammo is in, some of the components might be salvageable.
If you have any shooting buddies who are into hand loading their own ammo, they would probably be happy to get some free supplies in the form of your range rejects. The primer or powder might not be worth much, but the bullet and case can most likely be re-used.
Even ammo in the worst condition can be salvaged by someone with the equipment to melt and cast his own lead bullets. And what happens if the next person who moves into your home decides to plant some tomatoes on top of your ammo landfill? Another common suggestion is to somehow render your bad ammo inert and then toss it in the trash. One popular method is soaking your ammo in water or motor oil for a couple of days so the powder and primer are ruined. Jumping through the proper disposal methods might seem like a huge hassle, especially if you only have a handful of old rounds.
It can be tempting to just toss them out with the morning garbage. Most garbage trucks have a compactor, which could set off ammunition dumped in with the other household garbage and potentially harm equipment or people nearby. Another common piece of advice recommends soaking old ammunition in water or motor oil for several days before tossing it in the trash. The idea is to ruin the powder and primer, supposedly rendering the cartridge harmless.
While this sounds effective in theory, there are some serious problems with this method. Ammunition can be surprisingly resilient. Even if the water or oil thoroughly penetrates the cartridge and manages to disable it, it may only be temporary. It may only take a few days for the powder and primer to dry out before the cartridge is good as new and just as dangerous.
As gun owners, we want to be sure we act responsibly, especially when it comes to disposing of our unwanted ammunition. Proper discarding of old, damaged, or dangerous rounds is just one more way for us to be good representatives of the shooting sports. Let your fellow shooters know — share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below.
The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. The Lodge AmmoToGo. Look for tips for the range here. About Us Contact Us. Shop at AmmunitionToGo. This guide shows you a few ways to dispose of ammo safely. What is the Shelf-Life of Ammunition? Signs Ammunition is Unsafe to Shoot If cartridges show any signs of rust or corrosion especially around the primer , regardless of the date of manufacture, they are not safe to shoot.
Take it to the Local Gun Range Many gun ranges will take unwanted rounds off your hands. Recycling Old Ammunition Even if your old cartridges are corroded, most of the components can still be reused. Hazardous Waste Drop-Off You should never just pitch old ammo in the trash can. Find a Collector or Shooter While old cartridges might not seem very interesting to you, a collector may consider them the find of a lifetime.
Final Thoughts As gun owners, we want to be sure we act responsibly, especially when it comes to disposing of our unwanted ammunition. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest. The primer is located on the bottom of the casing, the gunpowder is inside the casing, and the bullet is sticking out the other end of the casing. The bullet is typically made of lead but could be another type of metal or cased in another type of metal.
The casing is generally made from brass but could also be steel. Yes and no. The metals can each be recycled, and the gunpowder can be reused as fertilizer. This new device will make it easier for police departments and other recyclers to collect ammunition and recycle it. The brass casing is recyclable, so after a round has been fired at the range, this portion can be recycled. Generally, however, these are actually reused to manufacture new ammunition.
Brass casings can be reused a number of times. If you find yourself with some corroded or unusable ammunition, there are a number of options available to you.
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