Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum

Relic Discussion => Bullets => Topic started by: speedenforcer on October 17, 2017, 10:25:56 PM

Title: surplus bullets
Post by: speedenforcer on October 17, 2017, 10:25:56 PM

This is a similar question to my post about artillery shells. What did they do with the surplus ammo after the war. wasn't long before the muzzle loader went to the wayside. were the lead and powder simply recycled?

Title: Re: surplus bullets
Post by: Jim T on November 20, 2017, 01:38:31 PM

Some quantities were stored, but most was broken up and reclaimed. Meaning the cartridges were broken open to reclaim the black powder for other uses and the bullets were melted down and recast. 

This was done with Williams type III cartridges even before the war ended. They were eventually found to be inferior, and were ordered to be broken up.  Obviously many of the bullets would have been melted down, but they can frequently be found, whole, used as case shot in last-war cannon balls.