Ammo smells like cat pee, what to do?

[Rellik]

Went to my cousins house and he gave me 75 rounds of .308. They are stamped LC 04 and LC 05. He pulled them out of a small nylon pouch and put them into a plastic grocery store bag for me to take home. Got them home and started sorting through them and I realized they smell like cat pee and even make my hands like cat pee. I have never had ammo smell like this. He doesn't have a cat but I dunno if he ever did and it peed on them at one time or if its something else. Anyone have any advice on what to do (I don't want them to make new rifle stink of cat ****)?

 

[Broom_jm]

Are the cases otherwise in good condition? Do you see any signs of corrosion?

If not, wipe them down with a rag and isopropyl alcohol. If you're a reloader, tumble them for a short time in a dry media to see if that helps.

 

[Rellik]

I am not a reloader. Most of the cases are getting a greenish blue ring around them about 1/16th of an inch thick just below the shoulder of the casing. I'm scared to shoot them.

 

[ghostdncr]

Shoot 'em. Gunpowder residue will overwhelm the cat pee. Reload as normal after that. Problem solved.

Seriously, dip in vinegar and clean them with a bit of fine steel wool.

Or send them to me. I'll even pay for shipping!

 

[throttletony]

If.you're unsure, don't use them. No free ammo is worth hurting yourself/others or destroying your firearm.
You could pull a few of them apart. Is it extra old or stored wet? (I know you're not sure based on OP - these are my first impressions though)

 

[SERparacord]

Went to my cousins house and he gave me 75 rounds of .308. They are stamped LC 04 and LC 05. He pulled them out of a small nylon pouch and put them into a plastic grocery store bag for me to take home. Got them home and started sorting through them and I realized they smell like cat pee and even make my hands like cat pee. I have never had ammo smell like this. He doesn't have a cat but I dunno if he ever did and it peed on them at one time or if its something else. Anyone have any advice on what to do (I don't want them to make new rifle stink of cat ****)?

Wash your hands good.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Lots of cheaper steel case smells like that when you shoot it. Wolf or Golden Tiger always makes the range smell like a litter box.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Shoot the **** out of it obviously

 

[throttletony]

In my experience (from brass cased ammo and guitar strings), brass, copper, and steel can get a bit of an odor if it's been handled a lot and expecially if with wet hands.

I repeat, if in doubt, DON'T use it. If you have any buddies that reload, they could pull a couple apart and maybe test powder that it hasn't gotten wet. Properly stored and handled ammo should outlast the shooter, but in the real world ammo is often not handled and stored correctly

 

[Rellik]

Shoot the **** out of it obviously

Lol love that answer!

 

[possum_128]

Go back to your cousins house and kill the cat so it won't **** on any more ammo again!

 

[metaldog]

 

[shibumiseeker]

You need to have someone pull one or two of the worst looking rounds. If they look and smell ok inside then clean the rest and shoot.

As it is, shoot them one at a time and make sure they bullet actually left the barrel before shooting the next one.

 

[level0]

I will graciously take all cat pee ammo off your hands, and I'll even pay for shipping.

 

[Broom_jm]

One of the primary components of urine is ammonia. Ammonia is hell on brass; weakens the molecular structure, even. Shibumseeker has forgotten more about reloading that most of the guys on this forum, so it's no coincidence the advice he's given you is the best so far.

 

[BrewerGeorge]

I'd toss them. Ammonia weakens brass and ammonia makes that green verdigris corrosion (which is poisonous by the way.).

 

[remauto1187]

I let my dogs pee on my ammo....makes it more accurate!

 

[philbert001]

Go back to your cousins house and kill the cat so it won't **** on any more ammo again!

This...(Minus the purple!)

 

[philbert001]

Where are you located? I'm sure someone in your neck of the woods will chime in, and offer to pull a few for ya, if they know you are local!

 

[NKBJ]

I am not a reloader. Most of the cases are getting a greenish blue ring around them about 1/16th of an inch thick just below the shoulder of the casing. I'm scared to shoot them.

The greenish blue ring...
Can you post a photo of that?