Author: Strangely Brown
Subject: Old surplus ammo: Safe to use? or scrap it?
Posted: April 30 2023 at 7:25am
Subject: Old surplus ammo: Safe to use? or scrap it?
Posted: April 30 2023 at 7:25am
 Doco Overboard wrote:I never had any problems with misfires however many necks would crack/split from becoming brittle over time I suspect. |
A cautionary tale;
last year a friend was given a large quantity of 215gr Mk6 .303 to shoot or giveaway, the necks were very brittle and the decision was made to break up the ammunition and another friend was to have the bullets for his Long Lee.
The cordite was heaped into a small pile (I wasn't there so is second hand from my friend who did it) the pile was then lit from a short distance but the flare up was great he ended up in hospital having his arms and face dressed for burns.
It reminded me of my days serving with the depot regiment at the School of Artillery when at the end of a days shooting the unused charge bags were placed on the ground in a large triangle with one extended corner which was the place where it would be lit from.
Depending on what was to hand a long stick with a match taped to it was used to ignite the triangle; I will add that it didn't stop some young officers from making piles to see how the flames would go!