Old Ammunition

[warrdamneagle]

My grandfather has 1000+ rds of old Military Surplus .45 ammunition. He got it before he retired from the AF and it has been in an ammo box ever since. He retired in the late 60's or early 70's so I know it from before that. Would this ammo still be safe to shoot? It is not rusty and looks to be in good condition. Would there be a problem putting this through a new HK45?

[Jim Watson]

What are the headstamp dates?
Anything before the mid '50s might have chlorate ("corrosive") primers and call for wet cleaning.
Otherwise it is probably fine. I have a little 1965 USGI hardball that is as good as anything I can buy fresh.

[Agent6-3/8]

I'd shoot it. Properly stored ammo will keep for a long time.

[Boris Bush]

I shot a case of vintage 40s 45ACP about 10 years ago. They shot just as good as the new stuff I had that day with just a bit more smoke.....

[MrMurphy]

We carry on duty, routinely, 7.62 Nato made for Vietnam.

They're shooting .50 cal ammo made for WW2 in Iraq.

Hell, we've got SAW belts made for the Gulf War (1) riding around every day.

As long as it doesn't look weird, shoot it.

[Butch]

What are the headstamp dates?
Anything before the mid '50s might have chlorate ("corrosive") primers and call for wet cleaning.
Otherwise it is probably fine. I have a little 1965 USGI hardball that is as good as anything I can buy fresh.
Yeah, what's the headstamp on them?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/ButchG17/Ammo%20pics/DSC06897.jpg



:patriot: