White powder on round balls

[Bob. B.]

I was given a container with about 200 .490 round balls. They had been stored in a garage. Most of them are covered with a white powder ( corrosion? ). Are they good to be used as is, or do they need to be cleaned. If they need to be cleaned , how so? Thanks

 

[Twisted_1in66]

No need to clean them. They have just oxidized and will work just fine. DO NOT put them in your mouth as that white powder is lead oxidation and is poisonous.

If you really don't like how they look, give them a good rubbing with some leather to remove most of that white coating. But I'd say, "Just shoot 'em!"

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
Dan

 

[desi23]

The white powder is lead oxide, yes it is corrosion. I have used such projectiles without any issues in the past though you should take care when handling them (wash your hands, don't lick your fingers, etc.). They can be cleaned and I know I have read multiple ways to do it on this forum as the question seems to come up every so often.

I have washed them in hot soapy water with a coarse rag when I had a bunch and wanted to get them clean. Air dried then put some olive oil on them and they stayed clean for a long time.

 

[Black Hand]

Wear latex or rubber gloves when cleaning. Once cleaned, some will give the balls a light coat of oil. Story in a DRY place in a container that can breathe - moisture assists in the oxidation....

 

[hanshi]

Just ignore the white surface on the ball. There is no actual need to clean them and I never went to that trouble. Warning! Don't hunt with them; they will kill any deer shot with them! :rotf:

 

[Eterry]

Don't listen to those guys...they are ALL wrong...Send them to me and I'll destroy them...one at a time!! :grin:

 

[Scota4570]

I probably would not use white oxidized lead balls for hunting. I don't want lead oxide in the meat.

 

[Electric Miner]

That assumes that any of the lead oxide survives the trip down the barrel in two directions. Then the amount that could possibly be in the wound track would be minuscule. The risk would be so small as to be non-existent.

 

[nhmoose]

I probably would not use white oxidized lead balls for hunting. I don't want lead oxide in the meat.

Your California is showing. I would have no problem as I do not eat any meat near a wound YUK!

 

[coloradoclyde]

That assumes that any of the lead oxide survives the trip down the barrel in two directions. Then the amount that could possibly be in the wound track would be minuscule. The risk would be so small as to be non-existent.

Yes, it does survive the trip....both ways..
Remember....Ingestion and inhalation are the two easiest ways to get lead poisoning...And lead oxide is far more toxic than lead.
However if it is white it is probably lead acetate or lead carbonate....still highly toxic

 

[JeffG]

If it really bothers you, clean the balls off with a terry cloth rag, and olive oil. Carry on. :thumbsup:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Just don't lick your fingers.... :wink:

 

[Electric Miner]

And the amount present is so small as to be meaningless. Chances are, you ain't gonna eat any of the meat the lead came in contact with, anyway. And if you use the balls for plinking, it becomes a non-issue.

 

[Black Hand]

And the amount present is so small as to be meaningless.

Except for the facts that lead exposure is cumulative and the Lead bloom (likely Lead oxide) is more toxic than elemental Lead (it can be more easily absorbed through the skin)...
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs379/en/

 

[Stumpkiller]

The Romans used it as a sweetener. It is not immediately toxic - but cumulative.

But you definitely want to wash your hands after handling lead. Worse for children and less of a prombum fur old gies like us. Casus brane damuge.

 

[Black Hand]

Lead acetate in the wine, lead pipes for water - It's a wonder the Empire didn't implode sooner... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead(II)_acetate

 

[tenngun]

Poor ol' eastern empire didn't have as many lead mines. They had to make do with terra-cotta pipes honey and sweet grasses, poor things.
Hey wait ... they lasted a thousand years more :haha: