"Drilling" Ammo
 

Morning guys,

Recently come into my possesion are a couple of rounds that I got from a mate to collect (I collect dummy rounds). The problem is, is that they're live.

Now, I've heard of "drilling" ammo to get the powder out, but I have no idea how to do it and I don't want to fiddle with them. I have a couple of other rounds in my company but it looks like the primer has been removed and the powder emptyed through the hole left.

I am loathe to keep the rounds live because a) it's an offence and b) safety.

If someone could give me some practical advice on what do here I would appreciate it. I've googled it and tried to take the round out with a set of pliers but no joy.

The rounds in question are a Norinco 7.62x39 and a 12 guage steel shot. Please excuse any inaccuracies in nonclementure.

Cheers.

H14.

Not sure what the laws are like in NZ regarding ammo. I collect ammo as well and in addition to shell casings and dummy rounds, I do have a couple live rounds here and there mixed in. Modern live ammo is pretty safe to keep around, it doesn't randomly go off or anything like that. Even if you throw it in a fire, all it does is cook off and it just makes a popping sound. Not enough pressure for the projectile to go anywhere. Need to be very careful with the drilling thing because you could set the primer off. 7.62x39 is Berdan-primed, so there is no easy way to remove the primer. The tool you want is called a bullet puller, here's a link: http://www.benchrest.com/hoodpress/bullet_puller.html For a shotgun shell, it depends on wether or not it's a star or rose-petal shaped crimp. The idea there is that you would use a knife or similar to undo the crimp, pour out the shot and powder, then close the crimp back up again. Messing with the primers is a bad idea because it would be easy to set them off by drilling them (or heaven forbid, hammering them out) and I have heard of people injuring themselves that way.

Do not drill the rounds. The hot brass shavings can ignite the powder.

Get a cheap impact type bullet puller, slap the projos out, dump the powder, and spray WD-40 inside the case directed at the primer. It will NORMALLY inert it. You can then drill the case, if desired or required by law, and reseat the bullet. There are Berdan primer pullers out there as well.

The shotgun shell will be a lost cause. Best bet is to find someone who reloads them and get him to load one with an expended primer and a dummy powder load.

Again, the definition of inert and legal are established by your local authorities and you have to comply with their desires.

HTH.

TR

Thanks alot for the help guys. I wasn't keen on drilling the rounds because I was concerned they would go off, so that's confirmed it. I might dispose of these since I don't feel comfortable fiddling with them and it's technically illegal for me to have them since I don't have a licence.

Is burial a safe way to dispose?

Not really.

Pull the bullets, dump or burn the powder in small quantities, spray the primer from inside the case with WD-40.

Cut the end off the shotgun shell, dump out the shot, pull the wad, dispose of the powder safely as directed above, spray the inside of the primer with WD-40, and bury or burn the hull. Be aware that if you do that, the brass shell head will remain in the ashes, if you are concerned about evidence.

I am sorry that you live in such a beautiful place and have to worry about something as trivial as owning two rounds of live ammo. I understand that the Nazis did a similar thing. Truly a pity.

TR

Thanks for that TR.

It's not so much that the police care, it's that I'm applying for my licence soon and I don't want live rounds hanging around while they make their inspections. It might not look the best :p

If they search your house thoroughly enough to find two rounds, I hate to think what they would think here.:rolleyes:

Good luck to you anyway.:D

TR

No kidding, I'd be completely hosed. I have more than two rounds worth of powder in my carpet at any given time.

Good luck Huey

It's me being careless and leaving them out that worries me! :D

Our gun laws are pretty good, though.

Sorry - The visual that accompanies that statement (and your entire dilemma) is one of two steers looking at each other as they enter the abatoir and commenting favorably about how "sanitary" it is. Especially after Australia's recent experiences. Peregrino

I don't know how it is in the US but the licencing is taken very seriously here.

In most states here, your license to own a firearm was written in 1789.

It is an inalienable right.

No offense intended, but hence the difference between citizen and subject.

"Licenses" are required for legal concealed carry in most states and for full-auto guns, suppressors, some short-barreled weapons, and destructive devices (since 1934).

The licensing for the above normally consists of a routine background check, an application with a payment, an official signature or two, and for concealed carry, some training.

TR

None taken, of course.

To be honest, I don't understand the US system, especially with regards to the Constitution. I've had a look at it, but I don't understand, I think that comes down to quite differant attitudes. Whatever works, though, works.

And if NZ ever did what Australia did I would probably leave the country (and that would break my heart).

As I understand it, the framers of the Constitution, who had risked their lives in armed insurrection against the King, wanted to ensure that the People possessed the means to overthrow an oppressive government.

An armed citizenry and a small standing army was the best way to do that, hence the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights.

They felt that the government should answer to the people, not the other way around.

HTH.

TR

That seems simple enough.

Does the government still answer to the people?