Savage 99 250-3000 and vintage ammo

[0802]

Recently bought a Savage 99 in 250-3000 (pics to follow). Its clearly a shooter vs. a collector, having a cracked and repaired stock. Been looking for a while for a 250-3000 to join my 300 Sav from about five years ago.

With it came about 8 boxes of ammo, varying in age from very old to pretty recent. Similarly, the boxes vary in being full of empty brass to factory original to a mixture of fired and factory original. Is there a prevailing opinion on whether I should fire / reload the brass or simply set it on a shelf to admire and start with all new empty brass. I'm not really concerned from a safety / age standpoint (should I be??), but more from the perspective of decreasing the value of a collector's item.

I'll post some pics of this soon, just been a bit overwhelmed after three weeks away from home.

I don't have a problem adding the vintage boxes to my small collection, but it seems like it might be kind of a waste to not use the brass.

[starmac]

That is a hard question to answer without knowing how much you had to give for it and no pictures?????? lol
I am not a collector, but have watching for an affordable 250/3000 for awhile. They never seem to turn up when I've got money in my pocket. lol

[0802]

Ammo Pictures

[0802]

More pics

[0802]

Some pics didn't turn out, I'll try again.

Cracked stock--

[0802]

Stock Repair

[0802]

Forend

[0802]

Receiver -- not drilled & tapped

[Good Cheer]

Been wondering for years when a 250-3000 might become irresistible. Been keeping around an old .25-.308 trim die for intermediate forming... just in case.
Ugh, bad pun.

[0802]

More stock repair

[Dan Cash]

More stock repair

Sure like the sight. I have a place for it if you don't.

[atr]

maybe I am wrong , but with old boxes of ammo I use the brass/ammo but save the boxes for my collection.

[bowfin]

I would use the ammunition and try to reload the brass, but I am more a shooter than collector.

However, don't be surprised if the older brass cracks or splits. I have seen WWI era ammunition (.32 Winchester Special) that was unfired an had about 40% split necks due to age, I am guessing.

[0802]

S/N is 7061XX -- I can't read the lever boss. Can anyone help me out with a year of manufacture? The tools on Savage99.com don't give anything accurate.