Zinc Plated Ammo Corroding

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I was going through my range bag today and I found a full mag left over from last weekend and the ammo was really corroded. I was shooting in the rain, and I'm sure this got wet at some point. Has anyone else seen this happen? I am assuming it is just the zinc plating on the steel case and the ammo is fine, however I have not had a chance to get back to the range.

The ammo is RUAG from cheaper than dirt:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/76867-1.html

 

[Shadow 7D]

See, this is your problem
YOU DIDN'T SHOOT IT
if you had already shot it, this wouldn't be a problem.

should be just fine

 

[Mike1234567]

If the ammo had been stored in a sealed container with oxygen absorbent this wouldn't have happened. Zinc, like all metals, will oxidize and, if plated or coated on other metals with certain differing properties, will react with the other metals with which it's in contact. Again, without oxygen, there's little/no reaction.

 

[Miked7762]

If the ammo had been stored in a sealed container with oxygen absorbent this wouldn't have happened.

Indeed. Keep your ammo in a sealed container while shooting it.

The purpose of the zinc coating on the steel cases is to preferentially corrode the zinc instead of the iron in the steel. That's exactly what has happened here. Simply wipe them down with a rag, the only permanent harm done will be a little discoloration.

 

[Mike1234567]

^^^ You know that's not what I meant. Store what you're not immediately shooting in sealed containers with oxygen absorbent.