What can you do with unused bullets?

Four Options for Disposing of Ammo

Call the Police. An easy option is to call your local police or sheriff’s department via their non-emergency line and let them know you have ammunition you’d like to get rid of.
Waste Disposal Facilities.
Your Local Gun Shop or Indoor Shooting Range.
Reloading: DIY Ammunition Recycling.

How long is unused ammunition good for?

Most manufacturers guarantee that their ammunition will last for at least a decade. That said, ammunition can easily last beyond 10 years if it is stored under ideal conditions. There are countless tales of military surplus ammo being used many decades after it was manufactured.

Can old ammo explode?

Old ammunition can explode and should always be treated with great care if it shows any signs of degradation. In most cases, old ammo is safe, but it is also more likely to be a problem than new ammo. If the casing on older ammunition has deteriorated, it can become volatile.

Is it illegal to get rid of old ammo?

Furthermore, most ammo contains lead, which isn’t something you want to be too casual about tossing out with your household garbage, and doing so might even be illegal depending on where you live. The best method for getting rid of your old ammo will depend on a couple of different factors.

What’s the best way to clean corrosive ammunition?

Some other recommendations say to use soapy water, ammonia, or other water based cleaners, but it just boils down to water taking away those salts. We field strip our AK and put it under the tap with really hot water and just let it sit for a few seconds. We like it as hot as possible since it will dry off much quicker.

Can a box of ammo be taken out of commission?

Modern ammunition can be surprisingly resilient. Moisture, oil, or solvents can knock a cartridge out of commission for a while, but they can often be revived just by letting them air out a little. I wouldn’t count on a little bath in motor oil to render a box of ammo permanently harmless.

What are some examples of bad ammo cartridges?

The box contains cartridges I’ve accidentally mangled on the reloading press, ammo that was damaged in shipping, cartridges with dramatically recessed bullets caused by feeding malfunctions, rounds with cases so badly dented they won’t even chamber, and of course a plethora of rounds that just wouldn’t go “bang”, especially 22’s.