Corroded cartridge is it safe to use ?

[Remington1911]

I remember them, Just paid them no mind as they are not my powder.....goes back to another thread I think we had on here a bit ago.

At one time I would say there is no 100$ way to tell if a powder is bad, sniff test is not 100, color not 100, I could not think of one. But if the cans look like they do in those pics I think I am safe in revising that position.

 

[Remington1911]

Every bit of oxidation "eats" part of the metal alloy in order to oxidize. In doing so, small cavities or "pits" are left behind. Regardless of how shiny or aggressive the tumbling, these sometimes microscopic pits are present containing the recipe to speed up the corrosion again. Other than light tarnishing where I do believe wet tumbling with the rods is best will remove, the brass clock begins ticking, and is the reason again why most reloads cannot last nearly as long as factory ammunition in original packaging.

Microscopic "pits" exist from day 1, and if you want to get down to the nitty gritty as a general rule if it is "metal" it is "rusting". Back when I flew little airplanes I had an ongoing AD (airworthiness directive) on my plane (one of many) that they would pull a cover off the wings and look in there for "rust", corrosion really, but here there same same. Everything will rust, it was a bit more of a pain on a fabric airplane, but the "tubes" needed inspection for "rust".

Things can be coated with this and that, everything from paint to some fairly exotic concoctions, all it really does is hold off what is going to happen, the sec the armor is chipped game over. Anyone that has spent the time covering their classic car with something like POR knows that as soon as it is gone the rust starts, and proper prep is the step you don't want to skimp on.

 

[Palladan44]

Microscopic "pits" exist from day 1, and if you want to get down to the nitty gritty as a general rule if it is "metal" it is "rusting". Back when I flew little airplanes I had an ongoing AD (airworthiness directive) on my plane (one of many) that they would pull a cover off the wings and look in there for "rust", corrosion really, but here there same same. Everything will rust, it was a bit more of a pain on a fabric airplane, but the "tubes" needed inspection for "rust".

Things can be coated with this and that, everything from paint to some fairly exotic concoctions, all it really does is hold off what is going to happen, the sec the armor is chipped game over. Anyone that has spent the time covering their classic car with something like POR knows that as soon as it is gone the rust starts, and proper prep is the step you don't want to skimp on.

I agree here 100%
I also believe oxidation works exponentially.
Meaning brand new shiny off the press brass has the best chance of lasting the longest.

 

[.38 Special]

I have used rounds with that sort of surface discoloration and never had any issue. In fact, after tumbling the fired cases, most of the discoloration disappeared and the cases worked and lasted as well as anything else.

A key, though, is that I knew the history of those rounds: they were either factory fresh or handloaded by me. I'm a bit more leery of "used" ammunition; stuff from gun shows, auctions, etc. but if the OP is sure that these are factory rounds from the not-too-distant past, I think he can use them confidently.

 

[Remington1911]

I have used rounds with that sort of surface discoloration and never had any issue. In fact, after tumbling the fired cases, most of the discoloration disappeared and the cases worked and lasted as well as anything else.

A key, though, is that I knew the history of those rounds: they were either factory fresh or handloaded by me. I'm a bit more leery of "used" ammunition; stuff from gun shows, auctions, etc. but if the OP is sure that these are factory rounds from the not-too-distant past, I think he can use them confidently.

Buying "used" (and I am going to run with this thinking loose or in a non factory box) is in general not a real good idea, goes against reloading 101.

IMHO if your cartridges are showing any kind of "rust" (that word is more easy to type then corrosion) the metal is compromised and not as strong as it once was. Now that said, is it enough for you to worry about, well that is a you call.

But good advice is if you come into possession of some cartridges that you don't know the history of, or even if the though crosses your mind that these in this box might not be the same thing that was in the box when it left the factory a good practice is to not use them. Still to this day ammo is still cheaper then Dr bills to put your face back on, and reattach fingers.

I enjoyed this video.

 

[243winxb]

I picked this up at the range, after watching the guy fire it. 30-06

I would not fire ones this bad.

The OPs ammo looks ok to me. I would not place in in long term storage.

Hang fires can happen in very old rounds. Click bang is heard.

 

[wesmonster]

As a recommendation, don't shoot it.

Personally, I've shot stuff that looks ten times as bad as that and never thought twice. I've seen brand new factory ammo that looks like what you've got. I wouldn't sweat it at all.

I'd do as others have said and pull a couple bullets to check the powder's integrity if you suspect that the ammo is old.

This is my advice. There's some good tips here for verifying if it's OK to shoot but IMHO if you're not 99% sure it's OK, not worth risking getting a round stuck in the barrel, or worse. Just looking at it isn't enough. Ammo is cheap compared to firearms, and safety is priceless.