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Large bullet ? found on the beach

K

kati8293

New member
Hi there. We are new here and fairly new to using our metal detector. Last weekend we found what looks to be a high caliber bullet encased in very thick rust. Being that we suspect it is ammunition, we have chosen to not mess with it too much to get the rust off in fear that it might explode. Fortunately, you can see the tip of the bullet if that's what it is and maybe someone out there can ID it from these pics. This was found on Pacific Beach, Washington.

Thanks in advance for helping us ID our favorite find yet!

Kati
 
That definitely looks like a non-jacketed lead bullet of some kind. Looks like a more recent piece of ammunition i.e. not from WWll era or later and probably civilian. JMHO Good idea not messing with that "mass" below the slug. Probably o.k. but better safe than sorry. Do you have any dimensions of bullet size ? I would guess .38 or .45 cal. unless it's a lot larger than it looks in the picture. Nice find.
HH
Scptt
 
I know what a 38 or 45 looks like and it is definitely not that. This thing is BIG. The flat tip on the end is the size of a dime and the whole thing is the size of a mans fist.
 
As owner of many firearms it does not seem to be a bullet for one reason. Shell casings are normally brass. just as the copper/brass looking part that is exposed is not crusted, nor would a shell casing be so encrusted. I think it is iron/steel under the corrosion.
 
Hi fenian.

I have found several rusted rounds from WW 2. I found them at the old Gorge Air Force Base in Victorville CA, and at the closed March Air Force Base Arnold Heights housing area in Riverside CA. Back then they used different kinds of metals for the case and primers, most likely because of the shortage of copper.

I think they the original case was coated with a rust resistant paint or power coat, like some cheep Wolf AK ammo is today. I think he has what they call a dum dum round, air to air, or air to ground aircraft round.

Tony
 
This is probably an expended round but it may also be a jammed round that was expelled on clearing the weapon... Appears to be a 20mm ...

I would give it to the nearast EOD unit for disposal. They an and do blow up oncethey dry out enought to become volatile again.

Get rid of it. The consquences could injure maim or kill if you fool with it.
 
I would put the lead head in a vise and then apply sideways pressure in a back and forth in a motion to loosen up the crimp. Then I would just pull the bullet out. That
 
I knew of a copper shortage but did not think they would risk steel casings. You may very well be correct. Does the piece that looks like a bullet look like any particular round to you? That would explain the heavy crust perfectly. you may have nailed it.
 
Please see his page an look at the photo's of the 20mm rounds. Note the shape of the bullet. I recommend you do not atempt to dismantle the round,

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/an_introduction_to_collecting_20.htm


More than likely the corrosion hides a shell casing. Primer and powder... Allow it all to dry and you have a dangerous object,,,,

Only fools dismanle bullets in vises. They often become blind fools, or fingerless ones, and sometimes people find them maimed and dead. Unless your very familair my first post applies.

25 years in the Army and Air Force and I wouldn't mess with an old round.... Bombs are still detonated in England and Germany as well as Japan...
 
I think Edjcox has hit the nail on the head. His advice is excellent too.

A rusty trinket is not worth loosing an eye.

HH

1859
 
edjcox said:
Please see his page an look at the photo's of the 20mm rounds. Note the shape of the bullet. I recommend you do not atempt to dismantle the round,

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/an_introduction_to_collecting_20.htm


More than likely the corrosion hides a shell casing. Primer and powder... Allow it all to dry and you have a dangerous object,,,,

Only fools dismanle bullets in vises. They often become blind fools, or fingerless ones, and sometimes people find them maimed and dead. Unless your very familair my first post applies.

25 years in the Army and Air Force and I wouldn't mess with an old round.... Bombs are still detonated in England and Germany as well as Japan...
Click to expand...



Hi edjcox.
You seem to be saying that old rusted or contaminated common centerfire and or rimfire bullets can and have become explosive when the primer charge mixes with the propellant charge after being under water and then drying out? Do you have evidence of this?


I want to make something clear. We are dealing with a bullet, not a BOMB.

As you should know they have several different tools on the market that are used for removing common bullets from their casings, NOT FOR ARTILARY AMMUNITION LOADED WITH HIGH EXPLOSIVES. Just conduct a www search for bullet puller; you can even search for how to pull a bullet.

As long as it is done correctly it is not unsafe to remove a bullet from a centerfire and or rimfire cartridge. To set off one of these cartridges under normal conditions you would need two things to happen. First you would need a shockwave to set off the primer (the firing pin does that), and you would need heat to ignite the propellant charge (that is initiated by the heat caused by primer explosion).

These cartridges use 2 types of power, one type in the primer or rim part of the cartridge, and the other type in the casing. The type of powder that is used in the primer or in the rim part of a rimfire cartridge is set off by a shockwave, not by heat. And the powder that is used as the propellant is set off by heat, not by a shockwave. When the trigger is engaged on a firearm the firing pin strikes the primer causing a shockwave which explodes the charge in the primer and then igniting the propellant charge to propel the bullet downrange.

11-B-10 Infantry
US Army
Circa 1974-1977
Anthony
 
You must kow a 20mm round is very volatile...

Without dimensions I opted to think it a larger round not a rimfire or small bullet.

Do what you will. It's my opinion and opinions are like well you know the rest.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings...
 
For those that doubt 20mm rounds are dangerous take a look at the fellows foot in tis link..

http://thaiwreckdiver.com/dangerous_stuff_on_dive_sitesx.htm
 
Agree. Not worth loosing an eye to get it out of the rust. Dispose of properly.
 
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