What to do with old live ammo?

[Whirlwind06]

I have some old ammo 25+ year for a gun that I don't have anymore .32 revolver I think it was. Can I put it in the buckets at my local range that people toss misfires in? I don't think just pitching them in the garbage would be wise.

Thanks

 

[Nickotym]

Put it out for giveaway at local club with note sying it is old, and you no longer have gun. Maybe someone would like to pull it down and reload it. Or just buy a .32 revolver and shoot it.

 

[whm1974]

As long as the brass isn't green the ammo should be still good.

And no throwing ammo in the trash probley wouldn't be wise.

-Bill

 

[kjeff50cal]

Ammo, especially cartridges manufactured with in the last 30 years do not go bad unless stored in less then ideal conditions. If this ammuniton is in good condition find out if there is a gunstore near you who would take it off your hands. If not turn it in to your "friendly" nieghborhood constabulary.

 

[Selfdfenz]

Not sure but it would probably shoot just fine.

Soaking primers in oil makes it possible to discard them safely in regular trash. That may not work 100% with loaded ammo.

By the same token you have to wonder what kind of explanation you might have to provide the police and city fathers for tossing what looks like live ammo in the trash should an over-observant sanitation engineer come across them.

S-

 

[geekWithA.45]

Soaking primers in oil is not a permanent solution.

Eventually, the oil dries out, and the primers will go bang.

 

[Selfdfenz]

If it does dry out it takes longer than a week...according to my testing... using burned motor oil and primed 38 cases.

dud city but also >>nasty<< to handle

The truck came weekly where I lived back then

S-

 

[Mannlicher]

So what do you have? A pallet load? Bucket full? Part of a box?
Probably the easiest way is to just trash it. I don't think 20 rounds sitting in the bottom of a landfill is going to hurt the enviroment, or anything else.

 

[pedaldude]

as long as it's commercial ammo you should have no problems giving it away or even selling or trading it at a pawn or gun shop.

 

[Cliff47]

Another option would be to inquire at the next hazardous material collection. There are a number of them in this area for disposing of hazardous materials like paint, old garden fertilizer, motor oil and the like. If they won't take it, they can direct you to someone who will take it. Alternatively, check with the local purveyor of fine firearms for disposal protocols. Just a thought.

 

[Smith357]

I take my old ammo to the range and give it away to those who want it. There is always someone wanting old obsolete ammo. It get it out of my hands and puts a smile on their face.

 

[10 Ring Tao]

Sell it on gunbroker, or give it away on craigslist.

Do NOT give it to your local cop shop. That would be a waste of what might be something collectible or useful to someone in your area.

 

[Whirlwind06]

It is maybe 10 or 12 rounds at most of the .32.
I also have maybe 6 or 7 8mm Remington magnum rounds. Traded that rifle to my brother for a shotgun. (No rifle hunting in Ohio)

 

[Sport45]

If it was factory .32-20 I'd take it, but I just looked at the UPS site and it would cost over $8 to ship it. Too much for a dozen rounds... I don't think you can use the USPS for ammunition. Can you? If the cost was closer to $2 I'd take it off your hands.

As someone else said, your best bet is to take it to the range and ask if anyone wants it.

I wouldn't sweat dropping a dozen rounds in the dud bucket at the range either. That's what they're there for.

 

[HankB]

A handful of rounds can go in the dud bucket. Give the 8mm Mag rounds (to the brother you traded the rifle to) at Christmas.

 

[sigman4rt]

When I have old or unwanted ammo that I can't give away, I throw it in the local river. Problem solved.

 

[nibb]

Just last years I shoot some 60 year 7.92 old ammo.

 

[knuckles]

I have about 800 rounds of 7.62x54R that is reported to be 1970's milsurp. As long as it passes my rudimentary visual inspection, I will (and frequently do) shoot it through my milsurp rifles, and so far have had no misfires or other problems. I doubt you'll have any problem unless it simply looks like something you shouldn't put through your firearm...

 

[OpFlash]

I have about 800 rounds of 7.62x54R that is reported to be 1970's milsurp.

That's pretty new for 54R IMO. I've got a 440rd "sardine can" thats got to be at least from the 50s, if not 40s. I'm not opening it unless there is an urgent need, but I expect it will be in good shape.

 

[knuckles]

That's pretty new for 54R IMO.

Indeed it is. That should, I hope, allay our friends fears...

EDIT: btw, Op, I'll sell you some if you want to trade up to the new stuff...

 

[fatelk]

90 year old ammo still works

I bought a bunch of old 45acp a couple years ago, cheap. When sorting through it I found a lot was WWII era or older, including about 50 rounds dated 1912 to 1918. I put 2 rounds dated 1914 and 1915 in my Colt government model and they both went off like new ones. Then I realized I probably wasted something collectible to someone.

 

[knuckles]

Then I realized I probably wasted something collectible to someone.

DOH! :banghead:

 

[mrmeval]

It could be collectable especially if you have the boxes.

 

[Geno]

Carefully, carefully

Box it up, ship it to me. Especially if it is 45 ACP or 9mm Luger.

I'll "dispose" of it through my pistols.



Doc2005

 

[Arkie]

I came across a few old live rounds while Metal detecting in a Colorado park. Makes you wonder just how they got there.

A 7mm Rem Mag Belted,

A bunch of 22's, long, shorts and Magnum.

A couple of 30-30's and 30-06's

And a really weird 37 cal round.

I know, I know, It's a 32 round that you cannot read, but it's shorter than a standard 32 and the head is also bigger on the case. I don't think it would even fit into the cylinder.