[Rockys Pop]

stamped F/A 32..........from an already opened battle pack i've had for 25 yrs.....still have 3 unopened.
was unbelievably accurate at 25 yards, BUT all 3 rounds split the brass.

i'll upload a photo when I load it into the puter from my phone.

 

[Rockys Pop]

 

[ARC]

A few years back I bought some old .45 acp from a old gun nut. It sounded strange and was fairly accurate with several duds. I figured it was some of the first ever loaded. Never paid much attention to the stamp but I will not be doing that anymore.

I will just buy brass for reloading than some old cheap ammo.

I like my Colt .45 and the barrel too much for running bad ammo through it again.

 

[Legion489]

Pretty common for old ammo to split. Any once fired brass over 10 years old is getting iffy and any factory loaded ammo more than 50 years old, or war time manufactured, is also at risk. There are lots of reasons for this and not all brass will split or crack, so it is 50-50 thing.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

the alloying elements in the brass (zinc) %age wise contribute a lot to the strength. military arsenal brass before ww2 lacked a lot in durability, some countries even used soft steel to make cases, notably russkis.

 

[2rangers]

Rocky-
Remember to clean that pistol thoroughly!!!
That stuff is corrosive enough to rust your buddies gun!

 

[Legion489]

True, brass will harden with age, especially if exposed to air pollution. Back in the day, the various forts would reload .45-70 and .30 Gov't (that's .30-40 Krag now for the young sprouts. In 1892 there was only ONE .30 Gov't/.30 US/.30 USA/have couple more head stamps) and the ammo/brass was stored over the horse barn and dung pile. After awhile the brass failed! Finally figured out ammonia was weakening brass. Lots of various gunk in air pollution in houses are not good for brass as well. Being old doesn't make it tougher either. Brass is not wine and cheese, getting old is not good for it.