old eley ammo

[browndog2]

I have some eley tenex left over from my days shooting bullseye matches.
I went to shoot some of it a few weeks ago, but the coating on the bullets seem to be flaking off.
And the rounds did not chamber well.
Even back then Eley Tenex was not inexpensive, so I'd like to shoot it.

I'm guessing its a wax coating.
Twisting the round into a flanel cloth seems to help.

My question is this: What solvent would best help remove the wax?
I'm talking about a small amount on a cloth and twisting the bullet in the damp spot.
So its not so much about removing it but readhereing or smoothing it out.

I'd like to chemically affect the wax but not affect the bullet

Thanks

 

[indyjohn]

I have some eley tenex left over from my days shooting bullseye matches.
I went to shoot some of it a few weeks ago, but the coating on the bullets seem to be flaking off.
And the rounds did not chamber well.
Even back then Eley Tenex was not inexpensive, so I'd like to shoot it.

I'm guessing its a wax coating.
Twisting the round into a flanel cloth seems to help.

My question is this: What solvent would best help remove the wax?
I'm talking about a small amount on a cloth and twisting the bullet in the damp spot.
So its not so much about removing it but readhereing or smoothing it out.

I'd like to chemically affect the wax but not affect the bullet

Thanks

Goo Gone.

 

[Mgderf]

Or acetone.

 

[cavemike]

mineral spirits would be my choice

 

[M67]

Gun scrubber. It's an aerosol so you can spray it on and it evaporates quickly

 

[oldpink]

Without seeing the ammo itself, it sounds more like lead oxidation than wax deterioration.
Were it my ammo, I'd just shoot it as is and clean frequently.
I'd also make it a point to consume it rapidly to get it used before it oxidizes too much to be usable.
This also demonstrates why .22 LR ammo is much more sensitive to moisture and oxidation than most centerfire ammo.

 

[browndog2]

thanks for the replies
I'll try some of the suggestions and shoot it up soon

 

[SmileDocHill]

Interesting. Just posting so you don't think you are the only one who has seen this.
I have a bunch of eley simply because it is one for the very few .22 ammo's that function flawlessly in my 22 conversion kit. Many of the boxes I open have significant extra wax around the brass. It's fairly new ammo and very clean wax....doesn't appear to be a corrosion. I've always just picked away the majority of it while reloading mags, but it is a hassle.

 

[browndog2]

Thanks SmileDocHill, my issue seems to be the wax, because when wiped off the bullets do not seem corrupted.
If it does turn out to be lead oxidation, I'll deal with that somehow.
Thanks again to all

 

[Icarry2]

Thrown them in a tumbler for a bit..

 

[grunt soldier]

Most high end ammos have that wax but my guns have never had an issue feeding it. It's always on your fingers when you load it.

I agree with tumbling it though. Be very easy