Fifty year old .308 ammo?

[Downeast]

I have several hundred rounds of LC .308 ammo stamped 63-72 in an old ammo box. It is loose ammo. I just picked up a .308 and was wondering if it was safe to shoot?

 

[GLShooter]

Yeppers assuming it's not all corroded up.

Greg

 

[Shrek]

Shoot away but don’t be surprised if some of the necks crack.

 

[M-61]

If it's not corroded shoot. I doubt any necks will split.

 

[MGYSGT]

Yes, shoot it

 

[DGP4]

I've shot much older military ammo without a problem. However, be prepared for hang fires.

 

[D-4297]

I've shot thousands of rounds of Com-Bloc 7.62 x 54r in Mosin's that was made in the early 1950's . Fire away . Just don't open the bolt if you get any "cook-downs" for a minute or two .

 

[Rem06]

i was told, no shelf life on properly loaded ammo. it just may not work if not properly stored. if it sounds like a dud, make sure bullet not lodged in bbl before firing next round.

 

[Downeast]

Thanks guys!

...I think!

 

[bennett ford]

Just to be on the safe side, you might want to run them through a seating die. Seat the bullet just enough to insure that the bullet has not bonded to the brass. If it is military ammo, there is a sealant that can really move pressures around. It will probably improve the accuracy of the ammo too.

 

[snert]

I'm shooting 1943 30 carbine....

 

[Zero333]

Shot thousands of Chinese 7.62x39 that's turning 50 years old next year. I have enough to last me a lifetime, so I'll be shooting it for the next few decades ( unless the ways of the Universe have different plans for my soul ).

 

[M60A3TTS]

I have pulled a number of DAG MEN, SA and Port, 7.62 over the years. As well as older 30.06 from TW LC, DEN, and many others. Outside condition is no indication of interior condition. Of all the 30.06 with traceable production dates from 42-67, every batch, had anywhere, from 50 to 75 percent with bad, to very bad condition of powder. 25% or more actually ejected powder when pulled due to pressure in the case. All had clumped powder, and heavy corrosion inside the case. Any with visible corrosion outside, were simply tossed as experience showed even the projectile was corroded. South African 308 was universally underpowerd and 50% or so showed internal corrosion. DAG and MEN from the 60's were, in some sleeves of 1000rds, up to 50% loss due to case corrosion. Port seemed to suffer the least. Argentine and Indian where absolute crap, with the Argy smelling like cat pee and leaving white corrosion in the gas system ( probably nitroguanidine). Indian might not go bang, or was underpowered and inaccurate. Sold off the Indian. Still have some Argy, that I will pull down eventually.

Smokeless powder is full of acids, that will eventually deplete the inhibitors in the powder and corrode their way out. Obviously some are better than others. But as a rule I no longer shoot anything older than the mid 80's. Even then, every couple years I select a random 5 or so rds, to pull and evaluate. Everything else is pulled down.

 

[jcm800]

Only problem I ever had with mil 308 (70's SA) was extra hard primers, 700 wouldn't set them off. M1a would every time.....fwiw