Is it "ok" to reload 308 India OFV 98 instead of shooting it??

[bowkillpa]

Is it "ok" to reload 308 India OFV 98.. Unfired Brass??

OK, so it's said that it's not safe to shoot India OFV 98 for it is a bad stamp. I have 800rds of it that came with a R1A1 that I purchased a week ago.

My question is should I just pop the bullet off pour out the powder and just reload it to specs with new powder and bullet?

I actually have shot 400rds of this stuff and did a lot check. The results are as followed:

Ammo: 7.62 India (OFV 98)
Bullet: 147.8
Gr. Powder 44.8
Powder: ?
Total average 24.99gr (overall weight)

I have yet come across a high number then what is listed above but it's the thought of squeezing the trigger and it could be the bad one. Really it's hard to back that up for I'm not sure what powder was used and that leaves me with no exceed limit to reference by.

What's your thoughts? Would you just reload the 800 rds and feel safe or is it not ok to reload the brass casing overall.

Edit: I plan on keeping the primer in as well.

 

[aplehr]

i have never heard a definitive answer on whether the problem lies with bad brass, or hot charges, or both. i do know that indian ammo from that period has a terrible reputation, and i won't touch it - even if broken down into components. it's just not worth the risk.

 

[bullseye308]

I have pulled the bullets and fertilized flowers with the powder then loaded them with a known good powder of the correct amount before. No problems. Look here for a more informative answer. http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=617

 

[ar10]

I've used a couple hundred OFV range brass, didn't have any problems. The ones I recovered didn't look any worse than the rest of the brass.
Rifle: AR10B
Hornady 168gn BTHP
41.3gn Varget
WLR primers.

 

[Kernel]

I have pulled the bullets and fertilized flowers with the powder then loaded them with a known good powder of the correct amount before.

+1

Or, substitute a high quality commercial bullet. They use to call that "Mexican Match" ammo. If it were me I'd be tempted to reuse the powder as well. Maybe download it a grain or two if you thought the original was to hot. I've shot many cases of such "recycled" reloads in my FAL and MIA.

Back in the '90's there was a ton of cheap 7.62 NATO on the market. Out of the box, most of it was only so-so accuracy wise. But, once it was remanufactured it could be made to shoot pretty decent.

 

[wcwhitey]

I f I am not mistaken they use a tar like seal on the bullets as well. Not really a big deal but does not help accuracy. I have a bunch from '75 when they were still being run under Radway Green supervision. It goes bang everytime and is every bit the copy of Radway Nato M80 ball. With anything made in the 90's Like dump the powder, clean the bullets or replace with a known quality projectile and have at it. Bill

 

[bowkillpa]

I decided to just reload with new bullets and powder. Thanks for the replies.

 

[bobotech]

What is wrong with the old bullets?

 

[bowkillpa]

Nothing wrong with the old. With 800rds to play with I'll mix it up so I will be able to see which bullet is most accurate and which is good to plink.

 

[evan price]

The problem with 90's dated OFV was inconsistent charge weights. Poor manufacturing quality control. Out of spec components (bullets, brass, powder).

I've seen mixed stick and ball powders in the same case. I've seen bullets loaded crooked, case concentricity problems, upside down bullets, mis-shapen shoulders, dented brass, bullets cocked in the cases, etc. The 1990's stuff was made after Ordnance Factory Varangaon was no longer under British oversight (like the 70's stuff was- that was good stuff!). Things got sloppy.

 

[Afy]

Unfortunately... all the people at OFV were smoking controlled substances in the 90's...

 

[jimmertoons]

I have been using OFV brass for reloading for my FAL, and really like the stuff. I have not, nor would I shoot any of the '90s stuff.