In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Safe to shoot rusty shotgun shells?
odogg
Member Posts: 72 ✭✭
I picked up 10 boxes of old shotgun shells at a local auction today for $20. However, upon opening up the boxes, the shells all appear to have different degrees of rust on them. I tried wiping them off, some of the rust came off, while some of it wouldnt. The shells have red plastic casings with what appears to be brass and/or copper primers.
My first question is, what are the dangers of shooting these old rusty looking shells?
My second question, is there anything I can do to improve the shells before firing them?
Thanks for your help.
My first question is, what are the dangers of shooting these old rusty looking shells?
My second question, is there anything I can do to improve the shells before firing them?
Thanks for your help.
Comments
Thanks !!!
d.a.stearns............a.k.a..........................SKEEZIX......
Gunsmith / LEO
Athens , Tn
www.allamericangunshop.com
1. Since the shells came from an auction, I have no way of knowing if they were immersed in water, or if they just became rusty from being stored in a damp basement or garage where humidity would be high.
2. The shells do appear to be reloads.
3. The shells brands are all different. Some say Federal, some say Winchester and some say Remmington.
4. The boxes do not have any water damage. They appear to be in almost like new condition. Because the boxes looked good, I did not suspect the shells would be rusty. It wasnt until I got them home and was checking them out that I discovered this.
www.allamericangunshop.com
[/quote]
To answer the question about rust verse corrosion. When I wiped the shells with a paper towel, the color on the towel was a dark reddish color which made me think of rust, but other times it was a blue-green color which I guess would indicate corrosion.
Keep in mind I wiped down about 250 shells.
I was really hoping to be able to use these shells to break some clays. But as I mentioned before, I dont want to damage my gun or myself.
Oh yes, and to answer another question, no, I do not reload my own shells. So if I cant shoot these shells, then I really dont know what to do with them because taking the bb's out of them would not do me any good.
clean the metal with steel wool, take 5 of them randomly number them and open them up if all 5 are exactly the same i would say shoot them, i have found live ammo while Duck and Goose hunting cleaned them and shot them.
Also, at the auction, there were several reloading devices sold, along with several guns, knives, holsters, ammo boxes, etc...
If they can be cleaned up more, I am thinking about doing as someone mentioned and opening up a couple of the shells to see if their loads match what is written on the tape inside of the boxes. If they match, then I think it is fairly safe to assume that the guy knew what he was doing when he loaded them.
what indications are there that makes you think they are reloads ?
clean the metal with steel wool, take 5 of them randomly number them and open them up if all 5 are exactly the same i would say shoot them, i have found live ammo while Duck and Goose hunting cleaned them and shot them.
I have done that many of times with my duck shells the left overs that went to the marsh and never got shot. Little steel wool and all is well.