what do you do with found ammo

[mikeofaustin]

Found a 9mm round a few inches deep and corroded. It's a live round and looks like it's been there awhile. A long time ago, I was taught that gun power (the older stuff) will form crystal's, and the slightest vibration will set it off. Not sure about today's gun power though, so for now, I'm treating it as 'VOLATILE'

What should I do about disposing of it the proper way? I was thinking that I'd sit it in vinegar for a month, hoping to dissolve it.

//as I'm writing this, a vision of a bomb squad entering my house just popped into my head.

 

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[cybercop106]

Standard ammo doesn't become unstable like that "Mike". You can drop it off at a local law enforcement agency or fire department if you don't want to mess with more complicated disposal methods. Just wrap it in some tissue or toilet paper, put it in a baggie and tell them you found it.

 

[mikeofaustin]

Well, if it DOES NOT become unstable (are you sure?), then I'll just keep it with my own 9mm ammo.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Some of the old cordite/gun cotton stuff with fulminate (mercury) primers was hairy if repeatedly dampened and dry. Black powder mostly becomes fertilizer and acids, and the modern powders do pretty much the same.

Dynamite (TNT), Torpex and some of the high explosives in old artillery shells and mortors still account for the occasional French farmer from WWI & WWII artifacts.

 

[Pulltab Parson]

I usually just put it in a paper towel and toss it in the garbage. If it was something bigger than a small arms round, I would be calling the FD or PD and have them take care of it.

 

[watercolor]

Well, if it DOES NOT become unstable (are you sure?), then I'll just keep it with my own 9mm ammo.

I wouldn't keep it with your good ammo. . . I've actually witnessed some rather old center fire ammo (.38 special) actually "hang" for almost a quarter-of-a-second before discharging. It would be best to drop it off to the authorities as Cybercop suggested and not take any chances.

Keep safe,
watercolor

 

[Ant]

Put it back in the hole or throw it away in the trash. I'm not talking about bombs; I'm talking about common everyday ammo which is what you have.

HH

 

[sniffer]

never leave it in the hole. if you don't want it take to your local PD or SO and let them dispose of it, if you don't want to transport it or touch it, call 911 and notify them and then they can deal with it

 

[rebelLT]

Hold on a minute. The solution is far simpler than it sounds. I have vast experience in ammunition and explosive storage, transportation, applications etc. If you find a single small arms round THROW IT AWAY! It is not dangerous with the exception of the .22 long rifle round. I know it sounds like this doesn’t make sense HOWEVER it is TRUE. IF the powder in the 9mm round should somehow ignite the most it can do is put a welt on skin. As a matter of fact the shell casing is more dangerous that the round itself. Don’t waste the authority’s time with this, just toss it.

 

[Ant]

If you are scared leave it in the hole, if you are not, throw it away in the trash. I a hunter and a gun nerd, started playing combat when I was about 6 years old. And started hunting when I was 8, I'm going on 53 .

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI as posted by our friends just pull the projectile with pliers, dump the powder, then throw the mess in the garbage. An "unconfined" small arms cartridge, such as the 9 m/m, is effectively harmless even if it were to ignite the charge. As mentioned it would only cause a welt, the case itself might inflict a small cut if it were in your fingers.

Do "not" attempt to fire the primer with a hammer and nail for example, just let nature take care of it

After opening the case, and dumping the propellent, the moisture or water will soon render it harmless..

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[Mike Moutray]

I've dug thousands of fired bullets and unfired cartridges here in the local urban parks. I tumble all my modern bullets and throw them in a bag and out of the dozens of unfired cartridges I've tumbled in the last 25 years, I didn't have any go off. Maybe I'm lucky or maybe they don't pose a serious threat. I think after years of corroding and soaking up water in the ground, they lose their explosive power. I only had one large WWI artillary shell and a live coast guard flare that I found that I didn't keep - just threw them into the closest body of water I could find.... that way I didn't have to worry about them. I have a rusted .25 semi-auto, fully loaded that I found and I treat it gingerly because I couldn't pull the clip to get the rounds out. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry, but don't worry yourself needlessly. Take care and HH, Mike.

 

[DDEXPII]

like in this pic I just walk away

 

[lou423]

I throw my "found bullets" in the closest street drainage ditch.