primers starting to corrode

[Encoreman]

Hi all, I was searching my primers and came across some Wolf small rifle magnum primers that I was considering trading for small pistol magnums. So being OCD I had taped the ends of the boxes so didn't have primers everywhere. Opened each one to verify that they were full and found most anvil side up looked pretty good, but the ones shiny side up were corroded. I got these in a trade 10 or so years ago. I will cull the bad looking ones, but the others will get loaded for a test. My question is should these be loaded and shot soon and not use for any long term or what are your opinions. BTW I think it is the brand perhaps, because I have some OLD Winchester staynless, OLD CCI and Remington Kleanbore primers that are all kept together in same storage container that look like new and I have had them for 18 years. Thanks Mac

 

[milemaker13]

If you got them in trade, i guess you dont really know the history of them. Maybe just handling them years ago, some damp storage and bang, corrosion. Id toss the bad ones and load the rest. Not for long term though, never know.

 

[Swampman]

Pics?

A little tarnish is probably OK, green munge not so much.

 

[Encoreman]

sorry no pics, more than tarnish

 

[packetloss]

Test out one of the corroded primers. Just seat the primer in a case without a bullet or gunpowder and see if it works.

I had primers that were 35 years old and there was no corrosion or tarnish or anything on them and they all worked fine. It seems whatever you are seeing is not normal.

 

[FROGO207]

Probably the crappy cardboard that the Russians used and some residual moisture. The ones I had seemed to be a copperish color rather than brass. Just checked some Berdan ones I had left that are Tula and those are OK.
I had a bunch of POF 303 BRIT ammo that corroded wherever the cardboard box or dividers touched them. Figured the same thing happened.

 

[Encoreman]

Just seat the primer in a case without a bullet or gunpowder and see if it works.

Well I went thru the 900 I have and maybe 150 will be good enough to seat in case. They must be made of zinc or something. Cardboard sleeves for the 100 pack look pristine, no water marks, and the case cardboard also looks good. I have some really old primers that look brand new, I do have some tula and checked them they look fine. Oh well no more Wolf for me. FYI you may want to look at your primers, I have never had a problem with any primers corroding. Some were so big they wouldn't fall out of the pack. Thanks for all replies, Mac