Retailer selling 1950's .50 BMG. It it for shooting, displaying, or reloading?

[damien]

Why is this sort of product sold? Does this stuff shoot well? Or do people buy it just to break it down and reload it with the brass and bullet and supply a new primer and powder? Or do people buy it just to display it? Just wondering, thanks for any info.

The ad:

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catal...ary-m33-ball-ammo/cName/rifle-ammo-50-cal-bmg

100rds - 50 Cal BMG Original US Military M33 Ball Ammo $319.95

This is Original 50 Cal. BMG US Military M-33 Ball Ammo. This ammo was manufactured by the St. Louis aresenal for the U.S. Military. This ammo is headstamped SL and was manufactured in the mid to late 1950's. This ammo is brass cased, Boxer Primed, and 100% Non-Corrosive. This is NOT pull down ammo that has been reassembled, it is original US Military ammo. We have a very small lot of this ammo and this was a one time deal, so when it is gone we cannot get anymore. This ammo is linked in a 50 cal ammo can.

 

[TimRB]

Why wouldn't you shoot it? Ammo lasts nearly forever, especially if any precautions at all are taken for its storage. I routinely shoot milsurp ammo from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Tim

 

[Walkalong]

I just wish I could afford to shoot some .50 Caliber.

 

[Tom S.]

Military ammo is very well sealed against moisture - the number one cause of deterioration of powder. It should be fine.

 

[Jim Watson]

Interesting that the ad SAYS "linked" and SHOWS loose.

Wonder what the headsamp is. Mid 1950s would be noncorrosive primed .30-06 but I don't know about .50. Doesn't matter if you wet clean, and some say chlorate primers have longer shelf life.

 

[50 Shooter]

Shoot it, the brass from that era is better then some of the crap that's on the market today. Like others have said, if it was stored properly it can last almost forever.

If you're worried about it, shake the round before you fire it, if you don't hear the powder moving in the case then you need to worry. Another thing to look for is a greenish blue type of crust near the crimp on the bullet. If that's present on the round do not use it as it's bad.