Jolly Old Ammo Question
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Hey Jolly!, or anyone I guess.
I found boxes of old ammo in the garage. From an uncle that passed away several years ago, there's also a rifle somewhere tucked away in the garage.
For example, one box has written, "Date: 8/12/65; Cal. 3006; Case Rem.; Primer CCI; Powder 4320; Wt. 52; Bullet: Hornady
Then as part of the artwork on the box is, 150 Grain Soft Point Core, 20 Center Fire Smokeless / Remington Kleanbore Priming
OK, so enough of that. I'm not even sure if what is written in pen on the box, matches the box contents.
What I'm wondering, is what do I do with these boxes of ammo? Are they dangerous being so old? There are around 10 boxes, each box has 20 bullets, each bullet is slightly over 3 inches.
Probably not a good idea to throw into the garbage. Could give them to the neighborhood kids to play cops and robbers. Just kidding of course, I could use a more helpful solution, like putting them back on a shelf in the garage for another decade?
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Now, a bit more detail...You're uncle was a reloader. IMR 4320 was a popular powder for the 30-06 several decades ago, especially in the 150-165g bullet weights. The charge is for a hunting load(if the bullets are soft points), which should run 2600-2759 fps.
As long as the rounds have been kept dry and have no horrible corrosion, I'd shoot a few and see what I have.
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Lastly...
They may be loaded for a particular rifle and the bullet may be loaded a hair longer than spec, so as to lessen the jump to the rifling. Would help to try them in the rifle they were intended for.
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Lastly...
They may be loaded for a particular rifle and the bullet may be loaded a hair longer than spec, so as to lessen the jump to the rifling. Would help to try them in the rifle they were intended for.
@jolly said in Jolly Old Ammo Question:
Lastly...
They may be loaded for a particular rifle and the bullet may be loaded a hair longer than spec, so as to lessen the jump to the rifling. Would help to try them in the rifle they were intended for.
Hey, that looks exactly like the bullets! Thanks, Jolly.
Actually, I won't be test firing, but good to know they can go back into hibernation. I was concerned that they could go off unexpectedly due to some unknown (to me) reason. They do look good, no corrosion or discoloration. Interesting on the picture you provided, how exact all measurements are, nearly infinite.
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@jolly said in Jolly Old Ammo Question:
Lastly...
They may be loaded for a particular rifle and the bullet may be loaded a hair longer than spec, so as to lessen the jump to the rifling. Would help to try them in the rifle they were intended for.
Hey, that looks exactly like the bullets! Thanks, Jolly.
Actually, I won't be test firing, but good to know they can go back into hibernation. I was concerned that they could go off unexpectedly due to some unknown (to me) reason. They do look good, no corrosion or discoloration. Interesting on the picture you provided, how exact all measurements are, nearly infinite.
@rainman said in Jolly Old Ammo Question:
@jolly said in Jolly Old Ammo Question:
Lastly...
They may be loaded for a particular rifle and the bullet may be loaded a hair longer than spec, so as to lessen the jump to the rifling. Would help to try them in the rifle they were intended for.
Hey, that looks exactly like the bullets! Thanks, Jolly.
Actually, I won't be test firing, but good to know they can go back into hibernation. I was concerned that they could go off unexpectedly due to some unknown (to me) reason. They do look good, no corrosion or discoloration. Interesting on the picture you provided, how exact all measurements are, nearly infinite.
When you reload, tolerances are held pretty tight. Good dies take care of a lot of that for you, but I do check the first of any run with calipers.
Couple of different ways to get rid of the rounds.
You can get a bullet puller:
Or you can soak the rounds for a few days in WD40. WD40 will kill the primers.
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I don't know what brand of rifle. We've got a huge area of garage where all our overflow
treasuresjunk ends up. I think I know where it is, I'll try to find it. I still have a lousy back (always will), so the treasure hunt is not easy. And, I'm lazy. There is that. -
I don't know what brand of rifle. We've got a huge area of garage where all our overflow
treasuresjunk ends up. I think I know where it is, I'll try to find it. I still have a lousy back (always will), so the treasure hunt is not easy. And, I'm lazy. There is that.@rainman said in Jolly Old Ammo Question:
I don't know what brand of rifle. We've got a huge area of garage where all our overflow
treasuresjunk ends up. I think I know where it is, I'll try to find it. I still have a lousy back (always will), so the treasure hunt is not easy. And, I'm lazy. There is that.Something like a pre-64 Winchester in 30-06 is worth $1000+. Something odd like a featherweight or a target model could be worth $4000-$10,000.
