Friend just gave me some .38 specials loaded by his late father in the 60's, maybe 50's?...all kinds of lead bullets. probably 300 rounds..thought about carefully trying a few thru my 28-2, not so sure after thinking about it......what can I do with them if I decide not to try shooting them? any suggestions?
what to do with old ammo?
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I would try one.
gjgalligan
Member
Pull them apart and reuse the brass & bullets.
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If you are looking to get rid of them contact your local law enforcement agency.
Where I used to work would take them and destroy them.
Where I used to work would take them and destroy them.
gman51
Member
For the most part firing reloads that you don't know the specs on is usually not a good idea. I think I wouldn't test them on a valuable gun.
I vote for shooting them. I'm still shooting Ammo that I loaded 30-40 years ago, plus commercial Ammo much older than that.
Or as suggested, break them down and use the components.
Best Regards, Les
Or as suggested, break them down and use the components.
Best Regards, Les
Alpo
Member
Ah, but Les, the point is YOU loaded your thirty-year-old ammunition. The stuff in the original post - it was loaded by SOMEONE ELSE, who may or may not have known what the hell he was doing.
I have no trouble shooting MY thirty-year-old reloads. I don't believe I would shoot somebody else's reloads if they were made yesterday.
I have no trouble shooting MY thirty-year-old reloads. I don't believe I would shoot somebody else's reloads if they were made yesterday.
Old Ammo
Throw it in the local river!
Throw it in the local river!
Good point!! I was just thinking about longevity, not the care and skill with which the ammo was loaded.
Best Regards, Les
I'd pull a couple down and see if you can figure out what kind of powder and how much is in each one.
My thought is that the 28-2 is such a stout revolver with such thick cylinder walls that if someone was loading with powders available 60-70 years ago, I kind of wonder if they could even have stuffed enough of any of them into a 38 special case to damage that 28-2. Even two max charges of powder for a 38 special would be unlikely to damage that big hunk of steel. But be VERY VERY careful of squibs.
Just my opinion and heed it only at your own risk.
My thought is that the 28-2 is such a stout revolver with such thick cylinder walls that if someone was loading with powders available 60-70 years ago, I kind of wonder if they could even have stuffed enough of any of them into a 38 special case to damage that 28-2. Even two max charges of powder for a 38 special would be unlikely to damage that big hunk of steel. But be VERY VERY careful of squibs.
Just my opinion and heed it only at your own risk.
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Shoot the .38 Special ammo in a .357 Magnum revolver. The max. pressure for the .38 Special is 17,000 psi. while the maximum pressure for the .357 Magnum is 35,000 psi. Even if the .38 Special was loaded hot, the .357 Magnum could handle it.
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bushmaster1313
Member
I once brought some ammo to the local PD for safe disposal. They asked me for identification and opened a case, and I do not mean a case of the ammo. Made me feel like I was doing something wrong.
I don’t shoot other peoples reloads, unless I know and trust them as much as I trust myself.
One double charge can destroy your gun and possible injure you. It’s simply not worth the risk. If you’re a reloaded, pull the bullets and dump the powder. You can reload the primed cases, but I’d test a few before doing them all to make sure the primers are still good.
One double charge can destroy your gun and possible injure you. It’s simply not worth the risk. If you’re a reloaded, pull the bullets and dump the powder. You can reload the primed cases, but I’d test a few before doing them all to make sure the primers are still good.
Lonegle57
Member
In the process of trading and buying along the way, have often gotten reloads in the deal. I always pull the bullets, ditch the powder and reuse the brass and bullets.
bearman49709
Member
What if they used the wrong powder. Not worth it to me.
mike from st pete
Member
Either pull them down and re-load them yourself or trash them.
joeintexas
US Veteran
As Les said, if I had loaded them I would just shoot them, I have ammo older than that and it shoots fine but I reloaded it. Not knowing the reloader I would pull the bullets, dump the powder and reload. Good luck.
BearBio
Member
1. Pull bullets for re-use.
2. CAREFULLY de-prime
3. Use powder (pour out before de-priming) as fertilizer. Pour it out in your garden and water extensively over several days.
4. If brass is in good condition (NO CORROSION) reuse.
2. CAREFULLY de-prime
3. Use powder (pour out before de-priming) as fertilizer. Pour it out in your garden and water extensively over several days.
4. If brass is in good condition (NO CORROSION) reuse.
ron_c
US Veteran
That is an ouch and in a Ruger at that.
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