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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried

.308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried

28 Oct 2019
@ 07:36 am (GMT)

Frank Vallich

It was a sleet/ice rain, windy and sunny day hunting grouse in an area with a wandering wounded grizzly.

Carried the .308 with the 20 gauge. The .308 mag holds 4 as allowed by law. I add one to the chamber and now have five.

End of day remove the mag and eject the cartridge from the chamber placing it in zippered tricep pocket of pullover.

Wash clothes and while drying wonder "What is that banging from the dryer?" Too busy to check until the load is finished. One .308 180 grain Federal Bonded. Hmm

Compare cartridge to an non washed and dried unit. Cannot hear powder in either, both weigh in the same. Primer looks good.

Anyone with experience in this realm?

What could happen attempting to use the cartridge?

Misfire, late fire, damage to firearm?

I won't be using it for life safety or future hunting.

Replies

1
30 Oct 2019
@ 12:17 am (GMT)

Robert Patterson

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
I don't understand how this question pertains to this site?, or the relevance of any of the information contained therein. My suggestion would be that you don't relate this to anyone whatsoever, pull the bullet from the case, dump the powder, fire the primer in the empty case, and reuse the brass, move on, end of story.
30 Oct 2019
@ 04:10 am (GMT)

Frank Vallich

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
The Question then, for you, should be " Will a cartridge that has been washed and dried in an article of clothing be considered safe to use in a firearm?"

No background as to how this event occurred, type of cartridge or condition of the cartridge.

Other than stating what you want -------

You didn't answer the Question.



30 Oct 2019
@ 04:30 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
Can't see why it would be a problem. I'm sure somewhere in desert country, there was a flash flood, followed by laying your clothes on a rock to dry. You may want to check run out. All that banging about may have knocked it out of kilter. But like Robert suggests, pull the bullet. Have a look at the powder, primer. Fire the primer, burn the powder. If the powder looks ok, not clumpy or such, and the primer goes off, you have a reference for future laundry accidents. Like it's said, it all comes out in the wash.
31 Oct 2019
@ 04:58 am (GMT)

Frank Vallich

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
Never considered the run out. Excellent point.

Thanks for your time.
31 Oct 2019
@ 05:45 pm (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
Hi Frank I'd tell you a story about what I discovered when recovering/disarming a live, dumped WW2? era 4 inch naval gun shell which had been sitting on the ocean floor for some years but a little worried I might get told off because it's irelevant or uninteresting to some.
What I would suggest without prior qualification, is it really worth it? unless its a last resort it's only one bullet so would you chose to load it over other options? Maybe last round on a range day? Imagine if it was a fizzer and caused a projectile to jam in your barrel? Thinking the odd river crossing/drowning in a hunting situation is a little different to your ammo torture test, so if it was me, even if this one is pulled and turns out fine, I would only use as a very last option.
31 Oct 2019
@ 05:52 pm (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
BTW I do understand you were asking a what if question, not for safety/defence or hunting.
Hey mate, could I borrow your .308? ........
01 Nov 2019
@ 05:05 am (GMT)

Frank Vallich

Re: .308 Cartridge - Washed and Dried
Hello Hamish

Yeah! Borrow a .308 to complete the torture test. I have a brass rod and a five pound sledge for clearing a fizzler. It would be the same as clearing a cleaning patch cut too large, No? Ideas abound when a question is put out there for comments.

Now I'm considering sealing all cartridges at the crimp and primer. Paranoia about water setting into the cranium. Might only go out when it is clear and sunny. Move to a paradise.

I could swap a story about a discarded case of dynamite I found in 1959 walking a deserted spur of CNR tracks but borrowing a .308 is priceless.
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