Mildewed boolits

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013LocationHouston, TXPosts3

I received a shipment of boolits from a major supplier. Water got into one of the boxes and the boolits in it are covered by white powdery mildew. I haven't complained about it to the supplier because they accidentaly sent me a double shipment. Is it safe to go ahead and load up these boolits? Will it harm my dies or the barrel of my gun? Or should I just melt them down for recasting?

A picture will help but metal doesnt mildew, that is a process reserved for organic critters and porous surfaces. What you are seeing is most likely an oxidation layer that formed. Try wiping a boolit with an old rag or paper towel, most of is should come right off.

Without a pc it is hard to say if I would shoot them, but if most of the **** comes off then sure use them up.

Boolit Man Join DateFeb 2013LocationMissouriPosts105 Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013LocationHouston, TXPosts3

A picture will help but metal doesnt mildew, that is a process reserved for organic critters and porous surfaces. What you are seeing is most likely an oxidation layer that formed. Try wiping a boolit with an old rag or paper towel, most of is should come right off.

Without a pc it is hard to say if I would shoot them, but if most of the **** comes off then sure use them up.

I'm away from home for a week so I can't provide pictures. The white coating does not wipe off with a rag or paper towel, but much of it can be removed with a wire brush.

Normally no, as lube is mostly oil based, the rare exception being BPCR lube made from beeswax and lard.

Podpeople, how thick is a coating? I would have to say I would try about 5 or so, but it definately sounds like oxidation since it wont come off easily.

That is lead oxidation. It is harder then the base lead. Softer lead has more problems with this.
I don't think it will hurt to shoot them, might help smooth the bore.
I store round balls after I spray them with Barricade.

Yes, lead oxide.

I see on old shot stored in a garage sometimes. It is very unsafe to breath the dust in.

Don Verna

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013LocationHouston, TXPosts3

Normally no, as lube is mostly oil based, the rare exception being BPCR lube made from beeswax and lard.

Podpeople, how thick is a coating? I would have to say I would try about 5 or so, but it definately sounds like oxidation since it wont come off easily.

The coat varies. The boolits that were close to the edges of the box are heavily covered with the white substance whereas those that were in the middle of the box have lesser amounts. The plastic bag which enclosed the boxes of boolits had a tear in it and the inside of the bag was coated with a sticky substance that smelled like mildew. The outer box was damp and had a hole in the corner.

the white is lead oxide.
you don't wanna be shooting those.

mildew would just wipe off.
i'd send them back, melt them down, whatever.
but I wouldn't wanna shoot them.

it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled.

the more i find out about shootin boolits, the more it contradicts everything i ever learned about shooting jaxketed.

Probably the best suggestion...

No. It may deteriorate, but thats it.

Shiloh

"A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves."
Bertrand de Jouvenel

?Any government that does not trust its citizens with firearms is either a tyranny, or planning to become one.? ? Joseph P. Martino

?If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert , in five years there would be a shortage of sand.? ? Milton Friedman

I have a box of 357 mag bullets like that... they are pretty old bullets so I figured they oxidized. I figure I would pull the boolit and remelt and then cast some to put back in.

Doc

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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