A few years ago, walking around a gun show, I picked up a 50 BMG round for a couple of bucks. I've had it sitting on my reloading bench ever since. I read about using one of these to straighten out a bent case mouth and thought I would give it a try. When I pulled out the shell, I got to thinking whether it was a live round and it so, was it anything to worry about. The bullet is painted yellow and pictures of the round and headstamp are attached. Anything to worry about? Thanks!

Attached Images

	50 BMG.jpg (140.2 KB, 110 views)
	50 BMG Headstamp.jpg (66.6 KB, 112 views)

Looks like a live primer. CAUTION

A quick google search gives plenty of info. The yellow tip seems to indicate it is Dominican Republic armor piercing ammo that was dumped on the US market which had degraded powder and substandard brass and bullets. I wouldn't shoot it.

Did you think it was an inert round?

It looks like the primer has a small amount of corrosion. You can probably wipe it off easily with a damp rag. I wouldn't be afraid of the round just sitting in my basement.

I did a google search and saw the reference for the DR ammo but that appeared to just have the tip yellow and not the whole bullet. Rather be safe than sorry. I thought that I was told it was inert but the primer appears to be live. Thanks

Bob,
As long as that has a live primer, we must treat it as a live round. Just as we treat all firearms as if they were loaded

What you read probably refereed to using a 50BMG projectile to return the case mouth to it's original round shape.

I am certain that the article did not intend for you to use a live round.

__________________
"Acta non verba"

You have to admit that the .50 Cal round is something pretty special.

Anything that can toss a 655 to 800 gr bullet at 2-3,000 yards and hit a man size target in battle conditions is top drawer.

Definitely a real man's toy that requires LOTS of spare change !!

I did not mind cleaning the MG's.............
but I really hated to clean the one 50 Cal. unit that had a ...........
106 Recoiless under it !!

I agree with the posts saying this is probably a Dominican Republic armor piercing round, and it's probably live. However you stated your intended purpose is to use the projectile tip to straighten case mouths, not fire the round. In that situation I believe you are better off to use the 50 caliber round as is and not try and pull the projectile or deactivate the round. The powder may have deteriorated but we are not talking about an incendiary or explosive tip projectile. If you are really concerned simply drill a hole half way through a piece of 2x4 of large enough diameter to hold the base of the cartridge. Then either epoxy or silicone the cartridge into this wooden base to protect the primer. This might actually make the 50 cartridge easier to use for straightening case mouths.