How to make a bullet inhert?

**RocketFoot** · September 24th, 2007, 10:58 AM

I came across a .50 cal round that my Grandpap brought back from Korea circa 1951. I'd like to keep it intact as memorabilia from my Pap, but I don't really want a live round sitting on a display shelf. Is there anyway to safely remove the powder and primer without destroying the shell? It has a silver tip which I assume is armor piercing. I just hate the idea of leaving a 60 plus year old live round laying around the house!

**bloomautomatic** · September 24th, 2007, 12:01 PM

Silver tip is probably an M8, Armor-Piercing Incendiary.

If you really want to make it inert, you could pull the bullet head and remove the powder and primer. Even at that, you still have the incendiary compound in the bullet itself.

I've heard that if you soak a round in oil,it will penetrate into the powder and primer and make them inert. Not sure how well that would work.

Personally, I would not have a problem with having a live round of that age in my collection. I don't think that it would degrade to the point that it would self ignite. Keep it away from extreme heat sources, and I don't think you would ever have a problem.

Vince

**Frenchy** · September 24th, 2007, 12:20 PM

If you can find a kinetic hammer that big, or a bullet puller, then you could pull the projectile off, dump the cordite and heat the promer to set it off... I know many people who used to drill the side of the round soak the insides then use the bullet as a key chain, I havent seen many around lately, might have been one of those 70's things.