Corrosive Old Shotshell Primers ?

b0400879

Regarding US manufactured shells, does anybody have firm info one way or the other for Rem, R-P, Peters or Rem UMC shells from the 50's ? Any cut-off dates/era's ?Gotta be some wizard on board who can advise - thanks !!joey

Iconoclast

I do a lot w/ collectible ammo, but SS are not my speciality. However, to the best of my knowledge, all US *commercial* ammo has been loaded w/ non-corrosive primers since before WW2. If you are *certain* the rounds you have are 1950 or later, I would have no qualms about this. Look at the verbiage on the shells or, better yet, boxes if you have them. Any trade name verbiage such as "Kleanbore" (Remington) & you are safe. The military placed a bunch of contracts for SS ammo over the years. I have no clue if this was ever corrosive-primed or not. One other thing, if these shells are in nice boxes and from the fifties, you should be able to sell them as a collectible item for far more than the cost of new ammo . . . avoiding the issue entirely while allowing you to shoot more and w/ more assurance that they will go boom when you pull the trigger.Absolutely any R-P headstamped ammo will be NC - that is much more recent than Rem-UMC and Peters, which saw use before WW2 and long after.[This message has been edited by Iconoclast (edited 02-21-2002).]

b0400879

Dang........ shoulda figgered this topic would attract some talent - but none other than the 'clast ?? Hot Damn. Flattered Bro.Answer is just what I was lookin' for. They are sporting configuration, in tattered red/green Rem UMC boxes. Clean 28ga ammo w/sharp, clear markings shows proper storage for 40+ years. Appreciate the thoughts on collecting, but afraid these are destined to go bang (got quail & chukar written all over 'em). Have tried to interest collectors in past, only to frustrate myself & bug them. Plus have seen similar gear on up GB collector ammo category without much activity. Talk about stale ! Not worth the effort to me.THANKS FOR TAKIN' THE TIME !!best,joey

Iconoclast

joey, while I thank you for the compliment, I am embarrassed by the flattery. There are many folks on this board whose little fingers have forgotten more than I will ever know. Whatever apparent expertise I demonstrate here stems only from (a) my long standing interest in ammunition and (b) from the fact there are many true experts in this field who do not visit these forums whom I can consult, either directly or through their published work. At best, I'm a knowledgeable amateur. In any case, I offer what help I can in the belief that the non-troll population of these forums share a common bond and, to plaigerize Ben Franklin, if we do not help each other, then surely we will hang separately. I am glad that my answer was helpful.

Txs

I once heard of a way to positively determine if ammo is corrosively primed. I haven't had the need to do this myself, but it sounds like it would work.Drill a hole the same size as the outside diameter of your test cartridge partially through a piece of wood. Run a small finishing nail up through the wood in the center of the countersunk hole, then steel wool the nail to remove the anti-rust coating.Pull the projectile(s) from your test cartridge and dump the powder. Place the open mouth of the test cartridge into the countersunk hole so the bare metal nail is inside the case.Get out your eye/ear protection, leather gloves, a punch and a small hammer. Pop the primer on the cartridge and leave the case over the nail. After two days, remove the case from the wood. If the nail is now heavily corroded, you have your answer.[This message has been edited by Txs (edited 02-23-2002).]