Question about Ammo Quality in these unique times

[Skip54]

Good Morning All - I have recently been able to find ammo locally in various calibers - but packaging often appears “rough” and aged. I just purchased PMC Bronze 38 Special 132gr FMJ. This is the first time I have purchased PMC ammo. Online reviews seem to be relatively positive.

When I opened the box at home, I found the brass tarnished/discolored with what appeared to be a definite darker area above the plastic cartridge holder. Also noticed intermittent black specs on the end of the cartridge. Has anyone seen or experienced this? Would this be indicative of old stock stored improperly? Corrosion or oxidation? Cosmetic or functional? Any thoughts?

[Buzzzer]

That ammo has sat for a little while, or in a somewhat more humid environment. I have some from years ago which show the same "discoloration", mainly rifle rounds. Never had a problem with them going bang...

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Skip54

Good Morning All - I have recently been able to find ammo locally in various calibers - but packaging often appears “rough” and aged.

I've gone to a couple shops during this crisis where anything desirable in handgun ammo looks like it was repurchased from customers, relatives, friends or other "unconventional" sources. Some of it is in boxes that look older and more weathered than me! And the new price tags (stuck over the old price tags) are out-of-this-world high.

Even worse (IMHO) is that I'm finding "remanufactured" ammo being sold as brand new... or more precisely, being purposely deceptive about it so as to fool the potential buyer.

It's probably all acceptable ammo if you really need it right now and are willing to pay the price.

[Rpg]

There’s nothing wrong with that ammo.

For years my favorite LGS (went out of business in March) often acquired guns and ammo from estates. I frequently bought ammo there that had been previously owned. The boxes were often less than pristine and sometimes the brass was slightly tarnished. Much of the ammo was many, many years old. It always works just fine.

Likewise, I often purchase military surplus ammo; much of it many years old and some discolored. It has always worked just fine.

Folks who haven’t had years of experience shooting and consequently haven’t handled vintage ammo are often worried about older or less than pristine ammo. Those worries are unfounded.

[Igiveup]

One of my pet peeves is to find ammo, or anything else for that matter, with a price tag of higher price stuck on top of an old price sticker of lower price. I wish they would remove the older sticker before repricing.

[LCC]

still loading my home defense revolvers with Winchester .38 +P 158gr semi wadcutters from a stash I bought in the early 80's, they go off every time I shoot a couple of cylinder's worth. My model 64 is a laser with them.