Cleaning bullets in ultrasonic cleaner

[Buffalobwana]

I had some dark looking, tarnished 30 cal 190's that I threw into the ultrasonic cleaner the other day that turned out nice. I used the Hornady cleaning solution used for brass cases.

For experimental sake, I thread a handful into a vibratory cleaner w walnut shell. Not gonna do that again. They came out clean but with a dull finish.

I'm loading these for subsonic 300 blk , so I'm not too concerned about it.

Anyone have any experience with cleaning bullets with ultrasonic cleaner? I have some 180 Accubonds that have green corrosion on them. No idea why as they aren't even a year old. Thought I'd give it a go, but also figured I'd ask here.

 

[338 dude]

I had some dark looking, tarnished 30 cal 190's that I threw into the ultrasonic cleaner the other day that turned out nice. I used the Hornady cleaning solution used for brass cases.

For experimental sake, I thread a handful into a vibratory cleaner w walnut shell. Not gonna do that again. They came out clean but with a dull finish.

I'm loading these for subsonic 300 blk , so I'm not too concerned about it.

Anyone have any experience with cleaning bullets with ultrasonic cleaner? I have some 180 Accubonds that have green corrosion on them. No idea why as they aren't even a year old. Thought I'd give it a go, but also figured I'd ask here.

Had to have moisture present to turn green ,while I've never cleaned any bullets in an ultrasonic cleaner I think they will clean up just fine. but with the lack of any oil at all I would be worried about cold weld if I loaded any ammo I would not let it sit very long

 

[Buffalobwana]

Cold weld?

 

[338 dude]

Cold weld?

When two different types of metal come in contact (dissimilar metals) they react to each other and basically corrode together when bullets get stuck it's a term called cold weld which raises pressures sometimes to an unsafe level make sure you get some kind of lube in the neck of the case it should help with this problem

 

[338 dude]

Read the directions on a can of Hornady one shot, when you spray down on an angle from both sides it gets a little bit in the neck of the case which would help with this also imperial makes a dry lube graphite basically which would also help a new box of bullets has quite a bit of oil residue on them

 

[RockyMtnMT]

At this time we are using ultrasonic for cleaning our bullets. We use a citrus based detergent. It is a good method as it doesn't damage them.

 

[Buffalobwana]

When two different types of metal come in contact (dissimilar metals) they react to each other and basically corrode together when bullets get stuck it's a term called cold weld which raises pressures sometimes to an unsafe level make sure you get some kind of lube in the neck of the case it should help with this problem

Gotcha. Why wouldn't normally loaded ammo do this?

 

[Buffalobwana]

Read the directions on a can of Hornady one shot, when you spray down on an angle from both sides it gets a little bit in the neck of the case which would help with this also imperial makes a dry lube graphite basically which would also help a new box of bullets has quite a bit of oil residue on them

Cool. I use the Hornady one shot Lube, I also have the Imperial graphite Lube I use when beck sizing.

 

[Buffalobwana]

At this time we are using ultrasonic for cleaning our bullets. We use a citrus based detergent. It is a good method as it doesn't damage them.

What kind of citrus based detergent? Is it something readily available to consumers? Or is there a commonly used one?

 

[338 dude]

Gotcha. Why wouldn't normally loaded ammo do this?

Newly manufactured bullets have oil residue on them and it has a lot to do with where they are stored and how they are stored but all bullets will some take many many years some do not again it depends on oil or some type of lubricant between the two metals

 

[338 dude]

What kind of citrus based detergent? Is it something readily available to consumers? Or is there a commonly used one?

A citrus-based product called lemi shine is added to Dawn dish soap in my rotary Tumblr citric acid is a very good cleaner

 

[Buffalobwana]

Cool. I have been using Hornady One Shot cleaner on my brass … and now my bullets (just threw them in there). When I run out, I'll buy some lemi shine.

I did put Dawn soap in it the other day and put all my bore snakes in the ultrasonic cleaner. Wow. What a difference that made. You could see the carbon and junk coming out of the snakes as soon as I turned it on.

 

[xsn10s]

I don't even think you'd need to use an unltrasonic cleaner for that. A weak acidic based solution should do it, much like taking tarnish off of copper pennies of silver. Vinegar should do it. I'd rinse with water afterwards. I generally don't worry if a bullet has a slight bit of tarnish on it.

 

[xsn10s]

I have some 180 Accubonds that have green corrosion on them. No idea why as they aren't even a year old. Thought I'd give it a go, but also figured I'd ask here.

For that I'd call Nosler.