Old .444 Marlin loaded cartridges

[Tonopah]

I found quite a few very old .444 Marlin cartridges in my garage. This is old loaded ammunition and the cases and lead bullets are pretty dirty. Would it be safe to run them in a Dillon vibratory case cleaner (walnut media) without fear of any kabooms? Bear in mind that the bullets are not pointed but none the less, I am assuming that my plan would be ill advised…Opinions?

 

[old_heli_logger]

Vibrating the powder will knock the deterrent coating off the powder and change the burn rate. Probably not a good idea

 

[Loudenboomer]

Best to pull them.

 

[M-61]

are pretty dirty

Well that can have a lot of degrees? Corrosion, stains, primers look?
Quite a few. How many? Can they be wiped clean? Stored in a garage in Arizona. I assume they were subjected to a lot of heat, but I don't know AZ. They came to be in the mid 60's and even though it doesn't sound old it could be as much as 60.
I'm prone to be on the safe side.
Maxillofacial surgery is expensive and
lengthy.
If you reload for them Id break then down and have a look at the brass. A good look.
If you don't reload toss them.

 

[trader steve]

Pull the bullets and deprime and tumble.

 

[Tonopah]

Thanks all -- I think you are right. No tumbling for those cartridges. I'll try to clean each one by hand and toss (pull bullet first) the really bad ones.