How Do I Dissolve Hardened Bore Butter?

[centershot]

I was recently given four boxes of ancient T/C .54 caliber Maxi Balls lubed with what I assume is Bore Butter. It is hard as chalk. I'm trying to soften it and remove it but not enjoying the best success. I've tried soaking them in a water and Dawn solution for three days now, it has softened up a bit but is still a PITA to remove. So, all you chemists out there, what to try next?

[Tatume]

You could hand lube with the lube of your choice and shoot them. I'm sure they would work just fine. I should add that these are a very common yard-sale find around here. I've shot a great many of them, after adding a bit of lube with my fingers. They have always been entirely satisfactory.

[Slugster]

Put them in a pot or pan of water and boil them. Probably find a suitable pot or pan for a buck or two at your local thrift shop.

[GregLaROCHE]

I agree putting them in a pot of boiling water. Add some detergent if you want.

[pietro]

.

Once upon a time, I bought several boxes (like 10) of pre-lubed T/C MaxiHunter bullets that had gathered dust for over 30 years inside a drawer at an AR-type gunshop, for a song ($1/bx).

In every boxful of them, the lube had dried up & turned that chalky white.

I just scratched out the dried lube with a small common screwdriver's tip & re-lubed a boxful, as they were needed.

N.P.

.

[Sasquatch-1]

I agree with boiling them. I would probably give them an acetone bath and a good rinse afterwards.

[pilot]

Brake cleaner works wonders, try spraying some on them.

[charlie b]

Boil. I've done that to other lubed bullets as well and it works great.

[slim1836]

I’ve read here in the past to boil, let the pot cool down, and the lube will form a cake on top of the water. Rake it out, pour off water, and towel off the boolits. I only tried it once but it worked great.

[Edward]

I put them in my toaster oven (the one I use for powder coating) and keep an eye on them ,melts off /cool and relube /Ed

[Boerrancher]

I don’t like bore butter to begin with, so any I find lubed with it dried or not, gets boiled to remove it.