Whether it’s a bad primer in a brand new factory round or a case of corroded milsurp rifle ammo, at some point you’re going to have to deal with the issue of what to do with ammunition that’s faulty or not fit to shoot.
For several years now, I’ve been tossing my ruined ammo into a small box in my garage. 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.
Similar to my little box of failures, a lot of shooting ranges have a bucket somewhere in the corner for shooters to dump their stray dud rounds. But what if you don’t have a handy reject ammo disposal receptacle where you shoot? This question seems to come up occasionally among shooters, and there doesn’t appear to be any real consensus for the answer.
No matter what the correct procedure actually is, it should probably go without saying that disposing of ammo improperly can be dangerous. The primer may not have ignited when you pulled the trigger but that doesn’t mean it can’t still go off under the right circumstances (like, for instance, when the garbage man activates the compactor on his truck). 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. The quanitity of bad ammo you have makes a big difference. Ditching a handful of bad rimfire cartridges is much easier than figuring out what to do with a dozen ammo cans worth of .30-06 that you found out your grandad kept in a leaky storage shed. Your geographical location also has an effect on what options you have. The closer you live to a major metropolitan area, the more likely you are to have public facilities nearby that are equipped to handle ammo disposal. So let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ways to get rid of unwanted or unusable ammunition.
Do It Yourself
If you’ve just got a few rounds to get rid of, you might choose to take care of it yourself. We’re not necessarily endorsing any of these methods as the best option, but here are a few of the more popular suggestions:
Disassemble and Re-Use
Depending on what kind of condition your alleged bad ammo is in, some of the components might be salvageable. If you have any shooting buddies who are into hand loading their own ammo, they would probably be happy to get some free supplies in the form of your range rejects. Using an inexpensive kinetic bullet puller tool, it’s usually pretty easy to extract the bullet from the case of the offending cartridge. The primer or powder might not be worth much, but the bullet and case can most likely be re-used. Even ammo in the worst condition can be salvaged by someone with the equipment to melt and cast his own lead bullets.
Bury It
“Bury the ammo in your back yard” seems to be one of the most common solutions to the bad ammo disposal problem. I even heard it suggested by an NRA Training Counselor during an instructor class, though I’m fairly certain it doesn’t reflect the official position of the NRA proper.
Honestly, if we’re just talking about a few rounds, burying it is very unlikely to hurt anything unless your dog gets curious. But just like throwing it in the trash, it might be illegal in your area, and there’s a slight chance it could have some negative environmental impact. Lead does exist naturally in the ground, but not with the same concentration and level of purity as what’s found in our ammo. And what happens if the next person who moves into your home decides to plant some tomatoes on top of your ammo landfill? I’m no environmental scientist, but it doesn’t sound like a the best idea.
Disable It
Another common suggestion is to somehow render your bad ammo inert and then toss it in the trash. Setting aside the fact that you’d still be throwing out lead with the household garbage, this method of ammo disposal at least takes care of the explosion hazard, if successful. One popular method is soaking your ammo in water or motor oil for a couple of days so the powder and primer are ruined. There’s also the more thorough technique where you pull the bullet, dump the powder, and then spray the inside of the casing with WD-40 to kill the primer.
These sound like pretty good ideas at first, but I’ve got my doubts. 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.
Call the Pros
So let’s say you’re either not up to the task of disposing of this stuff on your own, or you’ve got a much larger batch of bad ammo than the average range-goer. It’s time to call in a professional who can safely dispose of your ammo. There are a few different ways to go about this, and the options available to you will vary depending on where you live, but these disposal services are almost always free of charge.
Local Law Enforcement
The most likely source for someone who can take care of your ammo is your friendly neighborhood cops. Call your nearest police department or sheriff’s office and ask if they can take it off your hands. Some smaller departments might not be equipped for this, so be sure to call and ask before you show up with a pickup truck full of damaged ordnance. If your local PD has an explosives disposal unit, they may even use your ammo in a training exercise. Hey, your ammo might get to go boom after all! Bring some homemade cookies with your ammo and I bet they’ll even let you watch the fireworks (but don’t quote me on that).
Hazardous Waste Facility
Many local landfills or waste management programs have a hazardous waste drop-off somewhere in town. This is where you can take things like old batteries, used motor oil, and other household chemicals that are unsafe for the normal trash. Sometimes they will accept ammo, but that is often not the case. However, they should be able to offer you an alternative, which may be another municipal authority like the fire marshal. I called our local waste management facility and they said to take ammo to the police HQ instead.
Indoor Shooting Ranges
If you’re not dealing with a large quantity of unusable ammo, you might check in with your local indoor shooting range. They should already have a safe procedure in place for getting rid of bad ammo, and might be willing to take a few rounds off your hands (especially if you buy something first).
However you decide to get rid of the ammo you can’t use, be smart about it, and if you have any doubts, be sure to check your local and state laws.
I tried this with a local PD and spent the next 45 minutes getting questioned like where are these rifles now, how much more ammo do you have. I refused to any questions, I guess they finally got tired of not getting answers. I was surrounded by four officers during this whole time. NEVER AGAIN.
I guess throwing it in the campfire isn't a good idea…??…..;-)
OK, kidding aside, I was always told that primers are hyper sensitive to any petroleum based oils. An old paint can half full of cheap motor oil seems a reasonable final resting place for bad rounds. Can't remember where I saw the recommendation, I'll look through my books and references.
Any gun club will take them
Well that's rude.
Do Not Bury It!
throw them in the lake when your fishing, never to be seen or heard from again!
SAMI standard is to immerse and soak live ammunition in brake fluid.
Drop them in Isis' camp fire !
I tried this with a local PD and spent the next 45 minutes getting questioned like where are these rifles now, how much more ammo do you have. I refused to any questions, I guess they finally got tired of not getting answers. I was surrounded by four officers during this whole time. NEVER AGAIN.
Well that’s rude.
WHERE???
Ron Galentine Time to move to Florida or New Hampshire.
Hey Christopher, You may permanently want to scratch New Hampshire off your list. It is true that no weapons need to be registered there. If you are even suspected of being in the same room when a crime was committed all your weapons WILL BE CONFISCATED. This is true when the police know in advance that you are innocent. By far this is the worst state to live in and maintain your rights as a citizen.
Christopher Edward Penta Clifton, NJ
Christopher Edward Penta I lived in Florida for 20 some years, came north to visit and the engine in my van blew up. I lose 60% of my disability for child support payments, haed to do much on $650 a month otherwise I’d be in Florida again!
IF we keep moving away we’ll run out of places to live.. gotta fight for our rights, and vote!
Agreed, I was there to drop off ammo from a house we were cleaning out and didn’t trust to shoot it myself. The cops were not very nice when I tried to turn in it. Youngstown ohio
I’ve since brushed up on my rights and now know to ask if I’m being detained and if so what crime am I suspected of and what’s the probable cause. If not being detained then get the hell away from them, knew enough not to answer their questions though!
Contacting the police was the worst idea I’ve ever heard. If that’s your choice after reading these comments, you maybe to dumb to safely handle a weapon.
I’ve always used my kinetic bullet puller and never had a problem.
You nut jobs are paranoid. I inquired with our local PD here in Washington and they were as professional as can be, recommending that I contact a local range to dispose of our bad ammo. I swear to God, you make every part of the internet the weird part.
Doug Wollan Maybe a better idea is to do everything in our power to change the ways of our “police state”. Quit this nazi way of thinking, remind them they work for us.
Ron Galentine How am I not surprised…
From what I found out, if one wants to get rid of a weapon or ammunition, you can’t just walk in with the stuff. It is suggested that you call your local department first, to inform them of what you have and what your intentions are so they know what to expect.
If you are not familiar on how to handle a weapon or ammunition then you may ask for a police officer to stop by and handle it for you. If you take it to the station, leave it in the trunk of your car, both ammunition and weapon separate. Walk into the police station and talk to the person you talked to over the phone, if possible, so they know who you are. Bring I.D. with you. An office will then be assigned to come out to your car and retrieve them. You may be asked some questions about the weapon or ammunition and even asked to sign off on it.
If you walk into a police station with gun or ammunition in hand, then that is regarded as a dangerous thing to do. And it is why the police will surround you and start questioning you. There have been few incidences where someone walked into a station and started shooting. The police don’t know who you are or what the situation is at hand and they will take precautions in an un-announced walk-in.
I guess throwing it in the campfire isn’t a good idea…??…..;-)
OK, kidding aside, I was always told that primers are hyper sensitive to any petroleum based oils. An old paint can half full of cheap motor oil seems a reasonable final resting place for bad rounds. Can’t remember where I saw the recommendation, I’ll look through my books and references.
It does sound like a logical solution, but I have yet to find a credible explanation of how/why that would actually work. Some people claim to have actually tried it with “good” ammo and it still went bang after a long soak.
Any gun club will take them
give them to the gang bangers
Expel any ammo to ISIS…….sorry ……at Isis
Do Not Bury It!
Do you know of any other reasons why it’s a bad idea other than what I mentioned in the post?
Because it’s possible that it could still explode years after it was buried. Maybe even after someone else ownes the property and they decide to dig footings for a new garage or something. Just a thought.
Chris, the NRA rule for storage is out of the reach of children and unauthorized people. If you bury it, someone will find it.
Wouldn’t loose ammo work it’s way to the surface like a rock would? I would imagine if they did it could be possible to hit one with the lawn mower or other piece of yard equipment as well..
Mango Kumoz
a round not constrained by a chamber is not likely to harm anyone, even if it did manage to go off. The powder in a round does not explode, it burns.
I tend to pull the bullets, use them to reload, and burn the powder that was removed. usually in a small coffee can.
now you can ignite the primers, soak them I’m whatever solution you want (WD 40), or bury them. A primer isn’t going to hurt anything.
throw them in the lake when your fishing, never to be seen or heard from again!
The EPA would have you hanged for this! 😛
But Seriously, Don’t contaminate the water with lead.
Wesley John Blokker , the solution to pollution is dilution 😉
SAMI standard is to immerse and soak live ammunition in brake fluid.
SAAMI’s website says to send it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal, or to contact SAAMI if the original maker is unknown.
Drop them in Isis’ camp fire !
I like ur thinking but unfortunately it wouldn’t do anything. Without something to hold a bullet in place it loses its effectiveness. The casing goes farther than the bullet and unless it’s something like a 50 bmg, the most they’d really end up with is a bruise
What you’re saying is true but, I experienced an exception to the rule …. while burning trash that had collected in my garage a 22 round was in it that i didn’t see needless to say it went off and the bullet lodged in my left hand 2 inches from the base of my little finger ! Just 1/8 th of an inch was still sticking out , my whole hand went numb for about an hour . I pulled it out and kept applying peroxide to the wound for about two weeks , it healed and all is well. It pays to double check anything before you burn it. I was extremely lucky due to the fact that when it hit me my hand
was at throat level !
Albert Colson Glad you are OK!
give them to the gang bangers
Expel any ammo to ISIS…….sorry ……at Isis
A good friend had a similar experience to Ron's. The local cops treated him like a criminal for possessing bad or as they labeled it "dangerous, therefore ILLEGAL!" ammunition. They actually held him for "questioning" several hours, searched his home and car (illegally!) and terrorized his family. Finally he was released with dark threats that there PROBABLY would be charges filed later for transporting it to the police station… which never happened. Fucking Nazis!
pull the projectile save the primer and powder and discard the case thats what I do
A good friend had a similar experience to Ron’s. The local cops treated him like a criminal for possessing bad or as they labeled it “dangerous, therefore ILLEGAL!” ammunition. They actually held him for “questioning” several hours, searched his home and car (illegally!) and terrorized his family. Finally he was released with dark threats that there PROBABLY would be charges filed later for transporting it to the police station… which never happened. Fucking Nazis!
That’s pretty messed up. I suppose I should add that taking it to the police is only a viable option if your local cops are rational, law-abiding professionals.
Good luck with that.
Sickening…These are your typical cops in the blue states that treat all gun owners like criminals! What filth!
What do you mean blue states? There are bad cops all over the place!
It does sound like a logical solution, but I have yet to find a credible explanation of how/why that would actually work. Some people claim to have actually tried it with "good" ammo and it still went bang after a long soak.
SAAMI's website says to send it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal, or to contact SAAMI if the original maker is unknown.
That's pretty messed up. I suppose I should add that taking it to the police is only a viable option if your local cops are rational, law-abiding professionals.
Do you know of any other reasons why it's a bad idea other than what I mentioned in the post?
pull the projectile save the primer and powder and discard the case thats what I do
Get on your local gun forum and offer them up for free to a reloader. They'll re-use what they can and disposal of the rest becomes their problem.
Carefully take them apart, save the lead and powder. Discard the shell.
To all the throw it in the fire folks… When you toss a round in the fire there is no danger of the round going off as if it were coming out of the barrel of a fire arm… there is no back pressure on the casing nor around the bullet there for the bullet will only separate from the casing a few feet. This has been test many times by fire departments.
Get on your local gun forum and offer them up for free to a reloader. They’ll re-use what they can and disposal of the rest becomes their problem.
Carefully take them apart, save the lead and powder. Discard the shell.
To all the throw it in the fire folks… When you toss a round in the fire there is no danger of the round going off as if it were coming out of the barrel of a fire arm… there is no back pressure on the casing nor around the bullet there for the bullet will only separate from the casing a few feet. This has been test many times by fire departments.
Good luck with that.
Because it's possible that it could still explode years after it was buried. Maybe even after someone else ownes the property and they decide to dig footings for a new garage or something. Just a thought.
Forget the cops pull the bullets recycle the brass melt the lead for new ones take the powder make a bang with it and have fun
Chris, the NRA rule for storage is out of the reach of children and unauthorized people. If you bury it, someone will find it.
Forget the cops pull the bullets recycle the brass melt the lead for new ones take the powder make a bang with it and have fun
BE AWARE—-LIVE AMMO THROWN INTO A FIRE WILL NOT EXPLODE. THE PROJECTILE WILL NOT FLY THROUGH THE AIR SUCH AS WHEN FIRED FROM A FIREARM. IT WILL POP[ LIKE A FIRE CRACKER. THERE ARE TEST THAT HAVE BEEN TAPED SHOWING THIS VERY THING. ALSO, TRUCK LOADS OF AMMO SET ON FIRE (INTENTIONALLY) TO DEMONSTRATE THE AMMO ONLY GOES "POP". YOU THEN PICK THE PIECES OUT AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT AND THROW THE PARTS IN THE GARBAGE. THE POWDER JUST BURN
T IN THE FIRE AND THE PRIMER IS GONE.
CASE CLOSED—–
FRED S.
BE AWARE—-LIVE AMMO THROWN INTO A FIRE WILL NOT EXPLODE. THE PROJECTILE WILL NOT FLY THROUGH THE AIR SUCH AS WHEN FIRED FROM A FIREARM. IT WILL POP[ LIKE A FIRE CRACKER. THERE ARE TEST THAT HAVE BEEN TAPED SHOWING THIS VERY THING. ALSO, TRUCK LOADS OF AMMO SET ON FIRE (INTENTIONALLY) TO DEMONSTRATE THE AMMO ONLY GOES “POP”. YOU THEN PICK THE PIECES OUT AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT AND THROW THE PARTS IN THE GARBAGE. THE POWDER JUST BURN
T IN THE FIRE AND THE PRIMER IS GONE.
CASE CLOSED—–
FRED S.
Someone I know here in AZ called the Sheriff's because he had some old ammo to dispose of. They brought out EOD, SWAT, Hazmat team cordoned off the neighbor hood. I just thinks it gives them an excuse to bring out all the toys they rarely get to play with.
Someone I know here in AZ called the Sheriff’s because he had some old ammo to dispose of. They brought out EOD, SWAT, Hazmat team cordoned off the neighbor hood. I just thinks it gives them an excuse to bring out all the toys they rarely get to play with.
That’s crazy!
WHERE???
Christopher Edward Penta Clifton, NJ
Ron Galentine Time to move to Florida or New Hampshire.
Christopher Edward Penta I lived in Florida for 20 some years, came north to visit and the engine in my van blew up. I lose 60% of my disability for child support payments, haed to do much on $650 a month otherwise I'd be in Florida again!
Ron, thanks, that's what I want to avoid.
SOME RIFLE AMMO IS BANNED IN SOME OF THE BEACH CITIES IN CALIFORNIA. I WOULD NEVER TAKE MY BAD AMM TO THE POLICE. BEST THING I HAVE DONE IS USED A PAIR OF PLYERS AND PULLED THE SLUG OUT AND THEN PUT GREESE INSIDE THE CASE. THE POWDER I JUST PUT ON THE GROUND AND LIGHT IT UP, OR DUMP IT IN THE DIRT.
SOME RIFLE AMMO IS BANNED IN SOME OF THE BEACH CITIES IN CALIFORNIA. I WOULD NEVER TAKE MY BAD AMM TO THE POLICE. BEST THING I HAVE DONE IS USED A PAIR OF PLYERS AND PULLED THE SLUG OUT AND THEN PUT GREESE INSIDE THE CASE. THE POWDER I JUST PUT ON THE GROUND AND LIGHT IT UP, OR DUMP IT IN THE DIRT.
IF we keep moving away we'll run out of places to live.. gotta fight for our rights, and vote!
Wouldn't loose ammo work it's way to the surface like a rock would? I would imagine if they did it could be possible to hit one with the lawn mower or other piece of yard equipment as well..
Ammo outside of a chamber and a barrel just isn't that dangerous…
See if you can find a YouTube of myth busters cooking shells in the oven, the heavy part-the bullet stays relatively still while the light part- the case moves… However as the explosion is not controlled and contained it is more akin to a firecracke… Simple Newtonian physics…
That's crazy!
Ammo outside of a chamber and a barrel just isn’t that dangerous…
See if you can find a YouTube of myth busters cooking shells in the oven, the heavy part-the bullet stays relatively still while the light part- the case moves… However as the explosion is not controlled and contained it is more akin to a firecracke… Simple Newtonian physics…
Send it to me for pulldown of components
I had a few boxes of ammo I inherited with a rifle, and they were 50 or so years old, looked pretty rough. Called the local PD, and they said no problem. Took it in dropped it off, no hassles at all.
If you have a Bass Pro Shop in your area, call the gun department. Almost all of them will take your ammo or know where you can dispose of it. Took several boxes of old shotgun rounds to the one in my area and they took it without a problem.
i can take all your bad ammo and dispose of it safely .you can drop it off at Bear Bones gunsmithing at 676 kingly ave Orange Park .
904 210-5959 Scott
My sheriff dept said to bury it…
Agreed, I was there to drop off ammo from a house we were cleaning out and didn't trust to shoot it myself. The cops were not very nice when I tried to turn in it. Youngstown ohio
Send it to me for pulldown of components
I had a few boxes of ammo I inherited with a rifle, and they were 50 or so years old, looked pretty rough. Called the local PD, and they said no problem. Took it in dropped it off, no hassles at all.
If you have a Bass Pro Shop in your area, call the gun department. Almost all of them will take your ammo or know where you can dispose of it. Took several boxes of old shotgun rounds to the one in my area and they took it without a problem.
i can take all your bad ammo and dispose of it safely .you can drop it off at Bear Bones gunsmithing at 676 kingly ave Orange Park .
904 210-5959 Scott
throw it in a fire . it just goes pffft .
I've since brushed up on my rights and now know to ask if I'm being detained and if so what crime am I suspected of and what's the probable cause. If not being detained then get the hell away from them, knew enough not to answer their questions though!
My sheriff dept said to bury it…
The NRA Basic Pistol Course say specifically to NOT bury it.
I worked at a bullet factory in Lewiston Id. We used comet cleanser and water in a bucket and let it soak. That makes the powder inert. Neutralizes it.
throw it in a fire . it just goes pffft .
The NRA Basic Pistol Course say specifically to NOT bury it.
I worked at a bullet factory in Lewiston Id. We used comet cleanser and water in a bucket and let it soak. That makes the powder inert. Neutralizes it.
as a garbage man,I suggest not to throw it in the trash please.
Where we shoot we have a small man made pond about 20×20 we just chunk em in the water
as a garbage man,I suggest not to throw it in the trash please.
Have you ever had one pop off? just wondering. 🙂
Contacting the police was the worst idea I've ever heard. If that's your choice after reading these comments, you maybe to dumb to safely handle a weapon.
I've always used my kinetic bullet puller and never had a problem.
Doug Wollan Maybe a better idea is to do everything in our power to change the ways of our "police state". Quit this nazi way of thinking, remind them they work for us.
Where we shoot we have a small man made pond about 20×20 we just chunk em in the water
Mango Kumoz
a round not constrained by a chamber is not likely to harm anyone, even if it did manage to go off. The powder in a round does not explode, it burns.
I tend to pull the bullets, use them to reload, and burn the powder that was removed. usually in a small coffee can.
now you can ignite the primers, soak them I'm whatever solution you want (WD 40), or bury them. A primer isn't going to hurt anything.
I like ur thinking but unfortunately it wouldn't do anything. Without something to hold a bullet in place it loses its effectiveness. The casing goes farther than the bullet and unless it's something like a 50 bmg, the most they'd really end up with is a bruise
What you're saying is true but, I experienced an exception to the rule …. while burning trash that had collected in my garage a 22 round was in it that i didn't see needless to say it went off and the bullet lodged in my left hand 2 inches from the base of my little finger ! Just 1/8 th of an inch was still sticking out , my whole hand went numb for about an hour . I pulled it out and kept applying peroxide to the wound for about two weeks , it healed and all is well. It pays to double check anything before you burn it. I was extremely lucky due to the fact that when it hit me my hand
was at throat level !
Contact your local gunsmith. I have taken in hundreds for proper disposal. Its a complementary service but most licenced smiths offer this service
Donate your bad ammo to ISIS……..
On a centerfire, if its mangled, use a copper pipe cutter, works the best. Cuts clean through the middle. Rimfire just keep trying to use it all around the rim, havent had one that wouldnt go off.
Contact your local gunsmith. I have taken in hundreds for proper disposal. Its a complementary service but most licenced smiths offer this service
Donate your bad ammo to ISIS……..
I just throw them out with the garbage
On a centerfire, if its mangled, use a copper pipe cutter, works the best. Cuts clean through the middle. Rimfire just keep trying to use it all around the rim, havent had one that wouldnt go off.
Ron Galentine How am I not surprised…
Albert Colson Glad you are OK!
The EPA would have you hanged for this! 😛
But Seriously, Don't contaminate the water with lead.
Sickening…These are your typical cops in the blue states that treat all gun owners like criminals! What filth!
Have you ever had one pop off? just wondering. 🙂
Wesley John Blokker , the solution to pollution is dilution 😉
i dont know about oklahoma, but here in the northeast where there are millions of fishermen and duck hunters, i shudder to think how much lead is in the water, i dont think a handful bullets will make any difference.
i dont know about oklahoma, but here in the northeast where there are millions of fishermen and duck hunters, i shudder to think how much lead is in the water, i dont think a handful bullets will make any difference.
My local indoor range takes it. Drop it in the ammo can with the sign and forget it. Problem solved.
Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like the best thing to do is take it to a shooting range.
I would take all the free bad ammo I could get my hands on. If you purchase an inexpensive kinetic bullet remover and disassemble it the brass and lead can be valuable. I give all my lead to my friend, who melts it down and makes sinkers for fishing. If you are a hand loader and make your own bullets you can use it yourself, or sell it to the local scrap yard. If the brass can’t be straightened, or is cracked I toss it in a box and take it to the local scrap yard for cash. The powder is easy and safe to destroy after its removed from the cartridge.
i would like to know the prices of dis-mental equipment for 100 mm projectile separate from body.