Old reloading supplies

[Cump]

I've come across an ammo can of old reloading supplies from the 1970s, maybe earlier. It was stored in a garage in Phoenix. I'm wondering if there would be any problems with reloading it, or if I should take special care.

It includes 45acp and 30-06 brass, which appear to be fired at least once but probably more and have some corrosion in primer pockets and interior. Some of the 30-06 may be surplus (it's on stripper clips).

There are also a couple of metal bottles of H380 (again, stored in a garage in Phoenix) and some 30-06 jacketed projectiles that are a darker shade of copper (discoloration, I guess).

I've been offered it by a friend who inherited it. If I take it, I want to pay him a fair price.

 

[Jaxondog]

Throw the brass in a scrap can and do not use it if it has corrosion on them. [ Blue Green looking gunk ] Even if you just see it in the primer pocket's it is an accident waiting to happen. Brass is too cheap. Smell the powder and if it smells chlorine or acidic it is probably no good. If it smells pharmaceutical it is ok.

 

[mtrmn]

I'm still using components from the 60's that were stored in the tropical jungle climate of Louisiana. The dry climate of Phoenix would be better than here I would think. Use the smell test on the powder and make sure it doesn't appear "rusty". Use your own judgement on the brass-if it cleans up OK in a tumbler I don't see a problem with it.

 

[John C]

By corrosion, do you mean green stuff growing on the brass? Or do you mean that's it's color is now dull instead of shiny.

If there's green stuff on it, and you're not desperate for brass, chuck the ones that have verdigris on them. Save the ones that don't. If the brass is just dull and tarnished, I'd use them.

I'd shoot the bullets with no questions. Do the smell test on the powder and shoot it if it smells like fresh powder.

As for value, I'd say the brass is worth 5 cents each, for usable brass. The bullets are worth 10 to 20 cents each, for FMJ bullets. The powder would be free or maybe $5 to $10 per pound. I'm basing this off of the prices that folks at my local club charge during the once per year, members only swap meet.

-John

 

[Cump]

Thanks for the help. There is greening on some of the brass, maybe most, with varying amounts of buildup. A lot seems to only be a surface layer, but maybe I'm confusing causes of discoloration.

 

[Jaxondog]

Don' use it if it looks anything like these.







Some of these mishaps looked pretty good, meaning there was very little greenish corrosion on them. It attacks the case's from the inside sometimes and you cannot detect it by simply looking at them. I know I have cut them open on the band saw after pulling the bullet and there would be green corrosion inside, but not on the outside. These are some old rounds that I had found my Dad had years ago. This next set of pics came from one that had none on the primer or case but just a little around the case mouth and bullet. The head separated completely. So you can take someone else's word for it or look at these pics. It may save you an eye or finger down the road.





Be careful with old loads, its not worth it.

 

[Cump]

Thanks for the pics for comparison. I'll play it safe and sort carefully, erring on the side of scrapping borderline brass. And the stuff I keep will be a backup supply.

The powder doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[Jaxondog]

All powders don't smell the same but bad powder is easily recognizable by it's high chlorine or acid smell. Like I posted before some of the case's that looked maybe passable because of just a little corrosion actually had more on the inside. I will not shoot any more corroded ammo. Just not worth it.

 

[medalguy]

And keep in mind powder MIGHT have been transferred from the original container. If the cans are unopened that's one thing, but if they are partial cans no way I would try to use any of it. Makes great fertilizer.

 

[TomJones]

while we are on the subjec

I have some old brass that has been kept in my desk in boxes for about 20 years. It is some I bought when I first got into shooting. They are most likely reloads so no idea how many times they have been reloaded. I have used several boxes and not had any problems yet. However, I was reading the Lyman reload manual last night and it made me a bit wary of using it any more. I would like some opinions on should I toss it, or should I check it carefully and reuse it a couple of times??? Not sure after reading the manual. They want you to use only new brass and keep it by lot number and if 5% needs tossing they say toss the whole lot. Is this overkill or really the only acceptable way of doing it right. did find some helpful hints here about the paperclip tool to check for pre head separation signs. Your advice is welcomed. Thanks.
PS No corrosion