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Posted: 4/20/2015 10:42:15 AM EDT
| I've got a pile of API bullets to load. They're currently in standard surplus condition, i.e. dirty and in need of sizing. Google searches regarding the topic tend to show guys who are concerned about ignition in a tumbler. This appears to not be a concern due to the heat and pressure required to ignite the bullets. That leaves the question, how do I clean them? I've got a homemade rotary tumbler and use it with SS media, soap, and water. I understand it will probably remove some or all of the paint, but will it leave the incendiary compound alone? I can always repaint the tips. |
| I put mine in my vibrating cleaner for just a few minutes and wiped them off by hand with a towel. I use nu finsh and walnut. I also wanted to keep the paint on the tip so i didnt let them viberate to long. As sealed up as they are i wouldnt think the water in the rotary style would hurt them, but I chose not to get that aggressive with it. |
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Quoted:
I've got a pile of API bullets to load. They're currently in standard surplus condition, i.e. dirty and in need of sizing. Google searches regarding the topic tend to show guys who are concerned about ignition in a tumbler. This appears to not be a concern due to the heat and pressure required to ignite the bullets. That leaves the question, how do I clean them? I've got a homemade rotary tumbler and use it with SS media, soap, and water. I understand it will probably remove some or all of the paint, but will it leave the incendiary compound alone? I can always repaint the tips. Worrying about igniting API's in a tumbler is absurd. It is not going to happen. Period You might be able to ruin the compound inside if the lead base plug is damaged and you leave them soaking in water long enough, but you are going to have to try really hard at that to even make that happen. I've tumbled thousands and thoudands of them in a cement mixer with walnut shells and diesel fuel (to remove the sealant tar from them) I'm going on two decades using the same cement mixer it hasn't gone ker-blooey yet... |
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Quoted:
I put mine in my vibrating cleaner for just a few minutes and wiped them off by hand with a towel. I use nu finsh and walnut. I also wanted to keep the paint on the tip so i didnt let them viberate to long. As sealed up as they are i wouldnt think the water in the rotary style would hurt them, but I chose not to get that aggressive with it. this is how I do it..for the last 5 years 
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If they were pulled be sure the lead plug or jacket are in good condition. Recheck after sizing them, if liquid gets in it will probably ruin the incendiary mix.
Just respray them if you want to keep them marked. Get a piece of cardboard and punch some holes in it to a size that will match the original. I would try a .40 or .45 piece of brass and hit it with a hammer to punch a hole. See if the projo goes in far enough to spray it far enough down to match the original. Once you got it right, punch about 50 holes, push the projos in and spray away. Dump, reload and keep going until you're done. |
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