"Polishing" Bullets - The Firearms Forum

Doug B. · 01-21-2010, 08:37 AM

I recently acquired a few old boxes of bullets from a buddy of mine and they aren't as shiny as I would like to see them prior to reloading. I realize "deer or paper won't know the difference", but, I would like to shine them up. Any suggestions that would make my life easier as compared to sitting down and individually shining them up with steel wool by hand? Being these are pointed soft points, I want to avoid ruining the lead tips. I am guessing there must be a liquid of sorts that would work?

Thanks for any suggestions.

woolleyworm · 01-21-2010, 10:04 AM

I would try soaking in some BrassMate Liquid Metal Polish ( not suitable for cartridge brass ) or something equivalent, then give them a quick rub with a cotton cloth to dry and buff.

starman · 01-21-2010, 10:31 AM

I've had the same circumstance in the past and wasn't sure if I could just drop them into my tumler fo a short time or not. I haven't tried this because I didn't want to possibly change any dimensions. What do you think is a tumbler safe or am I crazy for even considering it?

Doug B. · 01-21-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starman

I've had the same circumstance in the past and wasn't sure if I could just drop them into my tumler fo a short time or not. I haven't tried this because I didn't want to possibly change any dimensions. What do you think is a tumbler safe or am I crazy for even considering it?

The tumbler crossed my mind....BUT....I am of the opinion that in my tumbler (actual tumbler, not a vibratory) the pointed soft points may not be pointed soft points when I pull them out. That is why I was inquiring about a liquid in which I might soak them. One that would shine the copper and not destroy the lead. I don't want to beat them up either. I did a search of this forum as well as several others to no avail.

Claude Clay · 01-21-2010, 11:03 AM

tumbler is safe.
but to play it safe--half hour or less

between my daughter and me, my wife has washed +100 rounds of
assorted reloads and some factory ammo. every one fired normally
on the next trip to the range. so--agitated for 25 minutes and than
hot tumbled for an hour vs half hour in a tumbler--seems like a wash to me

JLA · 01-21-2010, 11:09 AM

I tumble bullets all the time. I have left them going for hours without change to the dimensions. In fact thats how you moly coat your own.

medalguy · 01-21-2010, 11:24 AM

If you're worried about physical damage to the lead, just put a lot of cob and a few rounds in at a time. There's enough cushioning that there should not be any damage. After all, the ammo is just sliding around, not dropping from 2 feet to a hard surface.

res45 · 01-21-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

I tumble bullets all the time. I have left them going for hours without change to the dimensions.

+1 I do the same,I've tumbled everything from some old 32 cal. FMJ up to some surplus heavy ball pulls for a couple hours in corn cob media makes them look like new.

starman · 01-21-2010, 04:41 PM

I wasn't aware you were working with soft points. I was talking about vibrating some FMJ, I'm going to toss a few in tonight actually. Like the guys say will probably be fine as long as you don't over load it.

JLA · 01-21-2010, 10:21 PM

It wont hurt softpoints either. If anything it'll even out blemishes in the exposed lead and make them look better

01-21-2010, 08:37 AM	#1
Doug B. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cadott/Chippewa Falls, WI Posts: 35	"Polishing" Bullets I recently acquired a few old boxes of bullets from a buddy of mine and they aren't as shiny as I would like to see them prior to reloading. I realize "deer or paper won't know the difference", but, I would like to shine them up. Any suggestions that would make my life easier as compared to sitting down and individually shining them up with steel wool by hand? Being these are pointed soft points, I want to avoid ruining the lead tips. I am guessing there must be a liquid of sorts that would work? Thanks for any suggestions. -->

01-21-2010, 10:04 AM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: "Polishing" Bullets I would try soaking in some BrassMate Liquid Metal Polish ( not suitable for cartridge brass ) or something equivalent, then give them a quick rub with a cotton cloth to dry and buff. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

01-21-2010, 10:31 AM	#3
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Re: "Polishing" Bullets I've had the same circumstance in the past and wasn't sure if I could just drop them into my tumler fo a short time or not. I haven't tried this because I didn't want to possibly change any dimensions. What do you think is a tumbler safe or am I crazy for even considering it?

01-21-2010, 11:03 AM	#5
Claude Clay V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 451	Re: "Polishing" Bullets tumbler is safe. but to play it safe--half hour or less between my daughter and me, my wife has washed +100 rounds of assorted reloads and some factory ammo. every one fired normally on the next trip to the range. so--agitated for 25 minutes and than hot tumbled for an hour vs half hour in a tumbler--seems like a wash to me __________________ teachers may learn you the rules; experience will teach you the exceptions. NRA Instructor

01-21-2010, 11:09 AM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: "Polishing" Bullets I tumble bullets all the time. I have left them going for hours without change to the dimensions. In fact thats how you moly coat your own. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-21-2010, 11:24 AM	#7
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: "Polishing" Bullets If you're worried about physical damage to the lead, just put a lot of cob and a few rounds in at a time. There's enough cushioning that there should not be any damage. After all, the ammo is just sliding around, not dropping from 2 feet to a hard surface.

01-21-2010, 04:41 PM	#9
starman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 121	Re: "Polishing" Bullets I wasn't aware you were working with soft points. I was talking about vibrating some FMJ, I'm going to toss a few in tonight actually. Like the guys say will probably be fine as long as you don't over load it.

01-21-2010, 10:21 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: "Polishing" Bullets It wont hurt softpoints either. If anything it'll even out blemishes in the exposed lead and make them look better __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!