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Thread: Vintage target .45acp. Shoot it or not?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub cb4017's Avatar
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    Vintage target .45acp. Shoot it or not?

    Hi Gents, I was going through my ammo stash and came across some vintage boxes of .45 acp target ammo. I have 3 boxes of Remington Targetmaster 185 grain wadcutter (6745) and 1 box of Western Supermatch 185 grain wadcutter.

    Two of the boxes of Remington have the REM-UMC headstamp and one has R-P headstamp. The Western is head stamped WESTERN.

    I'm not a collector and have no problem shooting this stuff through my S&W 625 but on the other hand don't want to deny a collector the opportunity to acquire it.

    So, shoot or sell?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200209_074141 (Medium).jpg   20200209_074202 (Medium).jpg   20200209_074212 (Medium).jpg   20200209_074218 (Medium).jpg   20200209_074321 (Medium).jpg  

    Cliff
    FPD, NRA Lifer, USN retired

  2. #2
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    Since ya don't have a attachment to it... I'd try to sell it first.
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    Boolit Buddy Went2kck's Avatar
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    I have 4 20rnd boxes of 45acp with aluminum boolits. I didn't know they even made those. Looked them up and its a self defense round from the 70's. Maybe one day I will shoot them.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I would try and sell it.
    Not really worth much, but if ya got $20 a box, its money in your pocket.

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    Offer it for sale in Gunbroker's ammo section. If it doesn't sell, you can always shoot it later, but I doubt if that will be a problem. Look at the site for awhile to get a feel for what is selling at what price.

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    Since I have some of the same I doubt there is any value. I'd just shoot them.

  7. #7
    Boolit Bub cb4017's Avatar
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    Thanks for the input gents. I did spend some time on GB and agree this ammo isn't worth much more than current ammo. I'm leaning toward just shooting it.
    Cliff
    FPD, NRA Lifer, USN retired

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    Personally, I would put it away and keep it. No reason not to as it is nearing 50 years old.

    However I understand that old ammo may have collector value, without much cash value. It will never be worth enough to fund your retirement.

  9. #9
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    If you were closer I would trade your for some current match but it's not worth the hassle of shipping to me. If you do opt to shoot it I would like to work out a deal for the empty boxes for my man cave.
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    My opinion, The boxes are not perfect enough to be collectible...for that vintage, it's all about the box.
    Shoot the ammo, and put your favorite boxes in a shadow box in your man cave ...and give away or throw away the rest.
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    Would be nice to shoot ~10 of each batch/brand across the chronograph to get some data.
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    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by No_1 View Post
    Would be nice to shoot ~10 of each batch/brand across the chronograph to get some data.
    what no.1 said

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    Boolit Bub cb4017's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by M-Tecs View Post
    If you were closer I would trade your for some current match but it's not worth the hassle of shipping to me. If you do opt to shoot it I would like to work out a deal for the empty boxes for my man cave.
    If I get rid of the boxes you will be the first to know.
    Last edited by cb4017; 02-18-2020 at 10:26 AM.
    Cliff
    FPD, NRA Lifer, USN retired

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub cb4017's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by No_1 View Post
    Would be nice to shoot ~10 of each batch/brand across the chronograph to get some data.
    Hmm, not a bad idea.
    Cliff
    FPD, NRA Lifer, USN retired

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    Quote Originally Posted by Went2kck View Post
    I have 4 20rnd boxes of 45acp with aluminum boolits. I didn't know they even made those. Looked them up and its a self defense round from the 70's. Maybe one day I will shoot them.
    Can you post a picture of them? Can you post a picture of them? Silver Tips? State of the art in the 70's. I kept a magazine of them in one of my 1911's for years.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Went2kck View Post
    I have 4 20rnd boxes of 45acp with aluminum boolits. I didn't know they even made those. Looked them up and its a self defense round from the 70's. Maybe one day I will shoot them.
    There were a few "State of the Art" defense rounds back then but they were anemic when compared to what we have today. Better technology today.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master pls1911's Avatar
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    Many times ammo of that vintage may go bang.
    Other times it wont fire, and when you pull a bullet, the inside looks like black tar.
    Sell 'em or trade em for what you can, then go buy some recent ammo and have fun.
    Salvaging old Marlins is not a pasttime...it's a passion

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy

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    Shoot them. Just my humble opinion.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    I found 2 boxes , 1 exactly like yours and 1 Western which is in shooting box, have shot about half the Western, shoots well and makes nice holes, easy to score target.
    10-x

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  20. #20
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by No_1 View Post
    Would be nice to shoot ~10 of each batch/brand across the chronograph to get some data.
    I also had a box of the Remington Target Master 185gr and today I took it to the range with my Chrony (Beta).
    Click image for larger version. 

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    The lot# on the box was Y03S and for a 10 shot string, here's the data:
    Lo 667
    Hi 754.6
    Avg 717.6
    ES 87.57
    SD 22.82

    Frankly, I expected better but then again, this is 50+ years old. It grouped OK but my 452 SWC (Lee H&G 68 clone) did better.
    Anyway, a fun exercise.
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