Hard 22LR

[zonk]

Over the years, I've accumulated a few dozen boxes of older (20-25yrs) misc 22LR. I decided to shoot some of it up this week. Some were a little tough to chamber, due to hard wax coating. Definitely wouldn't work in a semi, but I was easily able to push them into revolvers. They shot fine.
But:
I have 4 boxes of Remington Target, probably around the same age. The coating (I presume some kind of wax) is so hard, I could not even begin to push them into a chamber on several revolvers, so I gave up before I did something stupid. Can anything be done with these to make them shootable, or just destroy them?? I haven't had time this week to try anything, so I'm open to suggestions...

 

[pruger45]

Send them to me and I'll dispose of them for you!

 

[Mobuck]

"Send them to me and I'll dispose of them for you!"

Or me. I'm sure I can make them chamber in my 77/22.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Try wiping them down with mineral spirits. I use Lee Liquid Alox on my cast bullets and a quick wipe removes the excess from loaded rounds rather easily. The old dried out wax on your .22s may take a little more time. Just remember to go sparingly with mineral spirits on a rag--don't use so much the stuff could migrate between case and bullet. It probably wouldn't do your powder any good!

Rick C

 

[mikld]

I had a few boxes of 22 LR get wet a few years ago, and by the time I found them, light corrosion grew on the lead. I put them in my wobbler with walnut media until the cartridges were clean and re-lubed them with Johnson's Paste wax (dipped the bullets in slightly warmed wax). All shot well and as accurately as factory fresh...

 

[VGEHTS]

I recently finished up shooting 1000 rounds of 30+ year old Winchester and Federal ammo (receipt in bag said 1980 K-Mart .93 per 50).
This ammo was given to me by a friend. It had sat in his house closet away from heat and moisture. The brass was dull but other than that,they appeared to look OK.
In the beginning,I had no problems with loading but ejection in the two semi auto pistols started and then became constant.
Many FTE cartridges,the ones that did fire were very smokey and smelly.
The ejector arm looked to be in good condition,only 4000 rounds on it before this old stock was fired. Spent shells were very hard to remove from breech. Yet,new ones would slide in an out with no problems.....
My S&W .22 is now sitting at S&W for repairs. I believe from this.
Next time I'm offered old ammo,I think I'll pass.....