Bust my brass

Reloading and any ammunition discussions are here.
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steelbuttplate
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Bust my brass

Post by steelbuttplate »

I got a can of '46 Russian ammo years ago, mainly because it was packed on strippers. I got to thinking what the hell, corrosive is corrosive, shoot some. Out of 40 rounds, I guess 10 cases cracked around the neck, some hanging up in the chamber a little. Would canned brass go bad or you think bad materials were used being sources for good metal being about exhausted at the time. Any one else shot much ammo from this time period?
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capt14k
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Re: Bust my brass

Post by capt14k »

A little of both is my guess. I've seen unopened Spam Cans of USGI .30-06 completely corroded. Also by 1946 I'm guessing supplies were low so quality wasn't the best to begin with

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Last edited by capt14k on Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
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bunkysdad
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Re: Bust my brass

Post by bunkysdad »

This is common. Is this heavy ball? I still have quite a bit of it and it shoots fine, so I don't worry about the cracked cases.
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Bust my brass

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

Commie ammo of that vintage? Would you open a can of tuna fish from 1946 and expect there to be no effects due to advanced age should you eat it? Any ammo over 10 or 20 years old is antique, it's past it's sell by date. Most of the time it's good for 40-50-60- even 100 years or more, but it's a crap shoot. I have US Cartridge 1918 .30-06 and 1907 FA US .30 Krag that still looks clean and with no sign of corrosion. I picked up some 1930's date German 8mm Mauser ammo that looks like new. I have never yet opened a sealed span can to find corrosion, if I did I would immediately suspect a failed seal, or pinhole allowing moisture to enter.
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