[1moa@500]

A friend just gave me a mixed box of old ammo. Some 16ga paper, 22 blackpowder blanks, and a whole lot of lc 3006. At the bottom there was a box marked utah ordinance plant and the bullets are all painted black. there was also a hundred or so mixed black tipped ammo in various condition. Does anyone know what this is, is it safe to fire. When I put a magnet to the bullet it sticks so I cant fire it at my local range. I was just curious, thanks in advance. The other headstamp is TW 42

[dmftoy1]

Black tipped is armour piercing. A cartridge collector will give you $1-$2 per round for it if you find the right guy. Very accurate stuff from what I've read. (I've got a bandolier of the stuff in my cabinet that I bought for $5 at a gun show in the mid-80s)

Have a good one,
Dave

[ReloaderFred]

Any U.S. Military ammunition headstamped prior to about 1954, depending on what it is and where it was loaded, is going to be corrosive primed, which means you'll have to thoroughly clean your rifle with hot soapy water immediately after firing it, or you'll end up with a rusty rifle. There are also bore solvents made just for corrosive priming, but most were taken off the market quite some time ago because they were poison and not much need for them anymore.

And as a side note, the actual primers aren't corrosive. They're hygroscopic, which means they readily attract moisture, which in turn causes rust.

As noted, your black tipped bullets are armor piercing rounds, with a hardened steel core. The cores make great center punches, though the .30 caliber is a little small. The .50 caliiber make the best.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[v-max29]

i just ran into a guy that had a bunch of those, it armor piercing and very hot ammo.

[ShunZu]

I've got a bandolier of the stuff in my cabinet that I bought for $5 at a gun show in the mid-80s)

DMFTOY, careful. AP is illegal in the People's Republic of Illinois...

[dmftoy1]

Yeah, probably should find a way to destroy it . . . thanks for the heads up. Didn't realize it was yet another thing that was illegal

[Waldog]

I notice your are in the Peoples State of **********. Armour piercing ammo is illegal in CA. BIG TIME!!! Your TW42 headstamp is WW II era stuff. It's corrosive!

But, it is sought after by cartridge collectors. Should get at least $2.00 a case.

[amlevin]

As noted, your black tipped bullets are armor piercing rounds, with a hardened steel core. The cores make great center punches, though the .30 caliber is a little small.

They also make nice holes in 1/2" steel plate "when used as designed".

[1moa@500]

thanks for the info on the ap bullets. i think I will send some of this to Arizona for my brother. If anyone wants any I have more than I need pm me