Old BP ammo?

[arlon]

I have some old BP 38-55 ammo. I was thinking about pulling the bullets (inertia puller) just to get rid of the stuff. This is some old hunting handloads my G Grandfather had in his Schutzen box. I assume they were made up for a Stevens model 44, the paper patched bullets in the box were for a model 52.

Anyone see an issue with pulling the bullets from old BP cartridges?

[Speedo66]

If you're thinking of reloading them, keep in mind the primers are probably corrosive also.

[arlon]

If you're thinking of reloading them, keep in mind the primers are probably corrosive also.

No not at all. I assume the brass is brittle too. No intention of doing anything but maybe killing the primers and saving the cases for historical purposes.

[TNsailorman]

You have a wonderful piece of history there and also some sentimental value also. Unless you have some compelling reason to pull down that ammo, I would hold it as a collector treasure. Why are you wanting to pull it down? james

[arlon]

You have a wonderful piece of history there and also some sentimental value also. Unless you have some compelling reason to pull down that ammo, I would hold it as a collector treasure. Why are you wanting to pull it down? james

Just bugs me having 100+ year old black powder around. I don't know enough about it to know if ammo that old is just more unstable with age. Don't sure think I'd try shooting any of it.. If it isn't a hazard, It can just stay right where it is until my kids have to figure out what to do with it or they could just bury it with me. (-:}

[rancher1913]

if it was my great grandfathers stuff I sure would not destroy it. the box looks really cool just like you have it. if it really bothers you take it to a gun show and sell it as is.

[leebuilder]

That is really neat. To bad you could not leave it as it sits.
Never seen anything like that, a family treasure.
Be well

[sharps4590]

It's as stable today as it was the day it was loaded. BP is a mechanical mixture and unless subjected to water or really, really intense heat is probably as good today as it was the day it was loaded. BP doesn't break down over time like smokeless eventually will. Pull the bullets, dump the powder and neutralize the primer if you want but having it around isn't any different than having new BP cartridges on the shelf. "Methinks thou doest protest too loudly".

The primers are probably corrosive but if I knew the complete story I wouldn't be afraid to shoot it. Not saying you should but I shoot a pile of BP and have for 40+ years. Hot water will clean out the primer residue as well as the BP fouling.

[arlon]

I guess I'll just leave them where they are.. That's easier anyway!

[TNsailorman]

I think you made the right decision. Just check your cartridges for primer leakage/corrosion periodically and as long as the primer holds the ammo should be alright. If you need to pull a cartridge down because of leakage/corrosion , it would be best to do it with a bullet pull die but an inertia puller would work, just don't use a lot of force. Using an inertia puller it is best to strike the puller on a 2x4 or other piece of wood. Also it helps to loosen the bullet by seating it just a tad deeper, breaking the grip of the case on the bullet. Another method(if you don't care to save the lead bullet) , is putting the cartridge in the correct shell holder in your press, run the ram all the way to the top and pull the bullet with pliers by gripping the bullet tightly with the pliers and lowering the ram slowly. You do not need a die to use this method. Take care, james

[GONRA]

GONRA's sure that olde ammo has some collector value!

[arlon]

GONRA's sure that olde ammo has some collector value!

I had a decent offer for a box of those old paper patch bullets a few years back. Don't think the loaded rounds would have much value other than to see what they were running back then. I wonder how much difference the small primers made. I wonder when they went to large rifle primers in the 38-55. Starline made some of the longer original length brass but they went with the large primer. I'd like to try some of that longer Starline brass in my old Stevens. I assume it was made for the longer cases.

[Bob in Revelstoke]

A few years ago I was given a Winchester model 1892 in 44wcf. It has a low serial number which shows it was made in 1893. It came with a handful of old black powder cartridges. I pulled one and the powder was compacted in the case. I put it back together and shot it and a few others. All functioned normaly. The brass was "ballon head" and had small primers. I washed the brass in hot soapy water as I did the rifle barrel. Probably should have saved them, but enquiring minds want to know.

[reivertom]

Just bugs me having 100+ year old black powder around. I don't know enough about it to know if ammo that old is just more unstable with age. Don't sure think I'd try shooting any of it.. If it isn't a hazard, It can just stay right where it is until my kids have to figure out what to do with it or they could just bury it with me. (-:}

Black powder won't do a thing unless somebody shoots it. I doesn't get unstable like explosives with nitroglycerine in it.

[arlon]

Black powder won't do a thing unless somebody shoots it. I doesn't get unstable like explosives with nitroglycerine in it.


I really didn't know what it would do. Nothing seems to be the consensus so I have just left them where they are and won't worry about them anymore. I have a box of 45 LC from the turn of the previous century that always made me uncomfortable too, I won't worry about those anymore either.

I really appreciate the comments. Learned a lot from the replies.

[slumlord44]

I have a can of Dupont black powder that is in the 100 year old range. Still shoot it in my muzzleloaders when the mood suits me without a hitch. Just have to clean it as you would any black powder gun. If the cases are deteriorating it could cause a problem but they are perfectly safe as a collector item. Family stuff like that is priceless.

[Butler Ford]

Black powder hasn't been invented long enough to determine shelf life.

BF

[sharps4590]

Butler, I expect that's 100% true.