How to dispose of old ammo? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Ivan_Only · 09-06-2005, 08:25 PM

Hello,

I have a bunch of older .38 Special rounds that I do not plan on shooting.

These were given to me by my Grandfather so I think they could be 10-20+ years old.

I am wondering what would be the best and safest way to dispose of this ammo.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

klintman · 09-06-2005, 08:27 PM

you might ask your local law enforcement.

poortrader · 09-06-2005, 09:21 PM

You could burn them. The fire will melt the powder, but will not set off the round because you have to strike the primer. or something like that.

bluebomberx · 09-06-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan_Only

Hello,

I have a bunch of older .38 Special rounds that I do not plan on shooting.

Why not?

**Old School** · 09-06-2005, 09:40 PM

If you don't want to shoot it, I'd suggest taking it your local PD asking them to dispose of it for you.

**Ed Ely** · 09-07-2005, 04:52 AM

I ain't never heered of this type delima befer.

Ed

therooster · 09-07-2005, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poortrader

You could burn them. The fire will melt the powder, but will not set off the round because you have to strike the primer. or something like that.

ummmm.... NO.

they will, i repeat, they WILL go off if thrown in a fire.

R/T Performance · 09-07-2005, 07:34 AM

For God sake DO NOT BURN LIVE AMMO DEATH MAY OCCUR

ichy_trigger · 09-07-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R/T Performance

For God sake DO NOT BURN LIVE AMMO DEATH MAY OCCUR

Naw, it wont kill ya, the case ruptures and throws small pieces of brass shrapnel way too small to cause death.

Bullets do not shoot from the case as seen on TV. During a time, long ago in a land far far away, some military buddies and myself threw a handful of .223 rounds into a fire pit and backed way back, they all popped like firecrackers but no bullets fired out. In the morning we found ruptured cases in the pit along with deformed bullets from the heat.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME WE WERE BORED GI's WITH NO COMMON SENSE AND WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON OUR HANDS.

Sabo2r · 09-07-2005, 01:13 PM

Burning live ammo is NOT necessarily a safe form of disposal.
At the same time, it is not nearly the same as igniting a round inside the chamber.

I have intentionally burned defective or damaged, but otherwise live, rounds in a burning pit on several occasions in both pistol and rifle calibers. (I'm not recommending this, especially for any ordinance larger than individual small arms rounds.)

Typically the result is that the brass separates from the lead with a loud pop and some force. Since there is no chamber/barrel/bolt to give direction to the energy release, the force is disipated in all directions. The brass (being lighter than the bullet) may take flight, or if the brass is somehow captured the bullet may travel a few feet, but not at a rate that would likely cause death. A nearby-stander could have their eye put out, or be mildly burned if contacted by the flying case or cinder.

Ivan_O, I'd recommend one of the following easy methods for disposal:
1) If they are not damaged or corroded...shoot them.
2) Take them to a local range and ask if they can dispose of them for you.
3) Find a local reloader. He will probably have a $14 bullet puller, and he can recycle the brass. (Or buy a bullet puller yourself.)
4) If the other methods fail, call your local PD and ask them what they recommend.

On a side note, this question comes up here from time to time. Please let us know what ends up working for you. Thanks. sab

09-06-2005, 08:25 PM	#1
Ivan_Only XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 8	How to dispose of old ammo? Hello, I have a bunch of older .38 Special rounds that I do not plan on shooting. These were given to me by my Grandfather so I think they could be 10-20+ years old. I am wondering what would be the best and safest way to dispose of this ammo. Any Ideas? Thanks __________________ \"What\'s in the case?\"

09-06-2005, 08:27 PM	#2
klintman XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 13	you might ask your local law enforcement. __________________ - HK USP .40s&w - HK USP Elite 9mm - HK USP Compact 9mm - HK P7 M8

09-06-2005, 09:21 PM	#3
poortrader XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, back to school Posts: 231	You could burn them. The fire will melt the powder, but will not set off the round because you have to strike the primer. or something like that. __________________ Stupid people will Always be stupid. XD-40 SC Les Baer PII, Kimber Warrior,Kimber Ultra Carry II/SS Walther P22 5" Sig P226R, Sig P225 DSA STG 58 Para, Colt 6721, RRA Entry Tactical

09-06-2005, 09:40 PM	#5
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,626	If you don't want to shoot it, I'd suggest taking it your local PD asking them to dispose of it for you. __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

09-07-2005, 07:34 AM	#8
R/T Performance XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saranac Mi Posts: 3,491	For God sake DO NOT BURN LIVE AMMO DEATH MAY OCCUR __________________ XD-9 Tacticle Tru-glow tfo's 3# Canyoncreek trigger Dillon Rl550 1911 Springfield Champion loaded 45 acp Kahr p40 Watch me shoot http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...32660329653237

09-07-2005, 04:52 AM	#6
Ed Ely XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 7,651 Blog Entries: 1	I ain't never heered of this type delima befer. Ed

09-07-2005, 01:13 PM	#10
Sabo2r XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Neb Posts: 110	Burning live ammo is NOT necessarily a safe form of disposal. At the same time, it is not nearly the same as igniting a round inside the chamber. I have intentionally burned defective or damaged, but otherwise live, rounds in a burning pit on several occasions in both pistol and rifle calibers. (I'm not recommending this, especially for any ordinance larger than individual small arms rounds.) Typically the result is that the brass separates from the lead with a loud pop and some force. Since there is no chamber/barrel/bolt to give direction to the energy release, the force is disipated in all directions. The brass (being lighter than the bullet) may take flight, or if the brass is somehow captured the bullet may travel a few feet, but not at a rate that would likely cause death. A nearby-stander could have their eye put out, or be mildly burned if contacted by the flying case or cinder. Ivan_O, I'd recommend one of the following easy methods for disposal: 1) If they are not damaged or corroded...shoot them. 2) Take them to a local range and ask if they can dispose of them for you. 3) Find a local reloader. He will probably have a $14 bullet puller, and he can recycle the brass. (Or buy a bullet puller yourself.) 4) If the other methods fail, call your local PD and ask them what they recommend. On a side note, this question comes up here from time to time. Please let us know what ends up working for you. Thanks. sab __________________ The two loudest sounds in the world are a click when it should\'ve gone bang, and a bang when it should\'ve gone click.

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