British 410

[bombdoc]

Oil will desensitise most explosives, and is routinely used in filling factories to handle explosive waste, however you need to separate the issues here..

Oil contamination can cause primers to fail, so as a consequence you need to ensure that you do not contaminate primers during storage, handling and loading.. You should minimise contact between hands and primers and always wash your hands before (and after! - they contain lead compounds!) use!

Primers are designed to resist contamination. Depending on the design, the explosive compound is often protected by foil seals and/or varnishes and lacquers. As a result, using oil to desensitise a primer cannot guarantee a 100% effect, particularly in cases where the primer is complete and fitted in a cap chamber, which may have had additional sealing put in place. Oiling of primers damaged during the reloading process, particularly when the explosive contents have been exposed is however a sensible precaution prior to disposal..

So... you you should always try not to let oil or grease contaminate primers that you want to work, but you cannot rely on oil to 100% neutralising primers, particularly if fitted in a case..!

Realistically, provided the propellant has been removed from a cartridge, the amount of explosive in a small arms primers is very unlikely to pose a threat, however in many cases we are dealing with the unrealistic aspirations of ignorant bureaucrats! When I deal with deactivating ammunition in environments where there is little knowledge, I prefer to do it in such a way that it is obvious the ammunition is free from explosive. My usual method to inert small arms ammo for museums etc, is to fire the primer and drill a 1 mm hole through the centre of the fired primer. I replace the propellant with a length of wooden dowel to support the base of the bullet and reassemble the round. If ammunition is to be used for drill purposes (i.e. loaded in guns for training/demonstrations) I generally drill holes through the case in three places so that it is obvious the round is not viable... (and replace the primer with a rubber/nylon block)

As to sending stuff through the post.. this is really up to convincing whoever is stopping you that you are obeying the law.. I have in the past convinced customs etc, that by drilling the anvil out of a Berdan case it is no longer a viable ammunition component..

To return to the question posed by the OP.. there is no restriction on exporting shotgun ammunition components from the US.. .410 is a shotgun calibre!

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