Tarnished Pellets

[Lenny]

I have an unsealed box of R10 pellets that I used about a decade ago. They look and feel a little tarnished. Can I still use them? I will shoot them in IZH 46M.

[slofyr]

...They look and feel a little tarnished. Can I still use them? I will shoot them in IZH 46M.

Darkening and/or dulling of the shine should not be a problem. If they have the abrasive white dusting of oxidation, I wouldn't use them.

[Lenny]

They don't have white dusting, but they feel abrasive to touch.

[rmca]

They shouldn't pose any problem.
The material that they are made of is WAY softer than your barrel.

But if you feel uncomfortable shooting them, just discard them.

Hope this helps

[Rover]

With luck, they'll firelap your bore for enhanced accuracy.

[kevinweiho]

I live near a coastal area where a fresh open tin of pellets can tarnish very easily. They do not affect accuracy or harm the barrel whatsoever. If you see white dusting on the pellets, DO NOT handle the pellets with your fingers because the lead oxide can be readily absorbed into the skin.

[Lenny]

Thanks to everyone for replies. Finished up the box. Unsealed another one from the same pack and those pellets looked fine.
The tarnish on pellets was probably caused by the contact with my fingers a decade ago.