View Full Version : N00b questions #1: Ammunition
Hello. Let's assume my knowledge of guns and ammunition might fill a thimble. I'm turning to the wiser, more experienced people of this forum to help steer me in the right direction.
Question #1: How old is too old for ammunition?
I received my great-great grandfather's 30 caliber Luger from my father. He also gave me the rest of the ammo, which comprises about ten bullets. They've been kept inside the house in a closet for about forty years. Safe? Not?
30 caliber ammunition is not easy to find.
Question #2: I know this is going to come across as a fairly dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyhow: in my attempts at research, I understand some ammunition is "dirtier" than other brands. Is it recommended that I clean my gun after using one brand of ammo, before using another?
Dunno, but if it was me, it's ONLY TEN bullets. Keep them as heirlooms from your Great Grandpa's era.
As for cleaning/oiling, I'd clean your weapons after EVERY range outing, regardless of ammo. Good habit to get into, imo.
Dunno, but if it was me, it's ONLY TEN bullets. Keep them as heirlooms from your Great Grandpa's era.
As for cleaning, I'd clean your weapons after EVERY range outing, regardless of ammo. Good habit to get into, imo.
Cleaning weapons after every range outing is definitely in the plan. I want to take care of my guns. But it's okay to use more than one brand of ammo while shooting?
Great-Kazoo
01-21-2013, 16:34
I clean my GUNS, when i feel like it. IF they are unable to function properly w/out issues after 1-300 rounds why would i own a piece of shit. Now rimfire, that's a different animal, center fire if you feel the need to clean it do so, myself i run em until i have a problem. To date haven't seen any.
Cleaning weapons after every range outing is definitely in the plan. I want to take care of my guns. But it's okay to use more than one brand of ammo while shooting?
Cleaning is overrated. Lubrication is not. Lube every time you shoot. Clean when you feel you must.
That all applies unless shooting corrosive ammo. If you do that, clean immediately.
There is no need to clean when switching between brands of ammo.
I clean my guns once a month if I have used them and prior to storing them for any length of time; this is for semi-auto anything. I have not seen any of mine fail either, but it would be my luck that it was when I really needed the weapon. But that is just my 2 cents. Don't worry about dirty and clean ammo too much, just corrosive and non-corrosive. Keep the gun clean and oil it inside and out and it will last a very long time.
dwalker460
01-21-2013, 19:53
Dunno, but if it was me, it's ONLY TEN bullets. Keep them as heirlooms from your Great Grandpa's era. Agreed, no reason to shoot those old guys.
As for cleaning/oiling, I'd clean your weapons after EVERY range outing, regardless of ammo. Good habit to get into, imo.
No. While this was a decent idea back when ammo was very dirty, more cleaning, especially with rifles like AR's nd modern pistols, but also applies to older weapons, is how bores get damaged and accuracy is affected.
I clean my guns once a month if I have used them and prior to storing them for any length of time; this is for semi-auto anything. I have not seen any of mine fail either, but it would be my luck that it was when I really needed the weapon. But that is just my 2 cents. Don't worry about dirty and clean ammo too much, just corrosive and non-corrosive. Keep the gun clean and oil it inside and out and it will last a very long time.
OKay, thanks. Corrosive vs non-corrosive? I never realized there were such things. After looking up some more info, please tell me if what I read was correct:
Corrosive ammo uses potaasium chloride in the primer, which leaves a residue behind. That's where the cleaning suggestions fragment: some sites suggest using just water and cleaning the residue very well before following your typical cleaning regimen; others suggest using military-grade cleaners; others suggest black powder solvents, etc.
Some suggest WD-40, although I've also read that WD-40 is not meant for gun cleaning and will cause damage to the bore.
I'm probably making a big deal out of this, but I want to learn to the care and feeding of firearms the right way.
Agreed, no reason to shoot those old guys.
No. While this was a decent idea back when ammo was very dirty, more cleaning, especially with rifles like AR's nd modern pistols, but also applies to older weapons, is how bores get damaged and accuracy is affected.
This is also good to know. I've been told that Wolf ammo is still pretty dirty. but not so dirty as to warrant cleaning after every range trip?
I like to use windex after shooting corrossive ammo. Spray a bunch of windex down the barrel when you get home and then clean with normal stuff. I read a long time ago that the ammonia neutralizes the corrosive crap better than just water.
DSB OUTDOORS
01-21-2013, 21:37
I like to use windex after shooting Corrossive ammo. Spray a bunch of windex down the barrel when you get home and then clean with normal stuff. I read a long time ago that the ammonia neutralizes the corrosive crap better than just water.
^^^ This! Some of the old military ammo is corrosive, meaning the powder has salts aka saltpeter in the primers and or powder it self. Which if not cleaned properly will corrode / rust out a barrel.
Good thing I recently bought a big bottle of Windex...
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/69229-Don-t-use-WD-40-on-guns?highlight=wd40
Some good things mentioned in there as well.
I clean my GUNS, when i feel like it. IF they are unable to function properly w/out issues after 1-300 rounds why would i own a piece of shit. Now rimfire, that's a different animal, center fire if you feel the need to clean it do so, myself i run em until i have a problem. To date haven't seen any.
Funny I was saying that to Kim this weekend and she just scowled and got angry as it was after her asking about my cleaning my guns (read and clean her kimber). Speaking of that kimber it seems to be the last several magazines of however few been threw it failing to feed a round half way through magazine. Shame since I had her shoot the shield and like the full size she's way low/off with it too, Kimber just magically the one handgun she can shoot.
No. While this was a decent idea back when ammo was very dirty, more cleaning, especially with rifles like AR's nd modern pistols, but also applies to older weapons, is how bores get damaged and accuracy is affected.
Thanks! I probably shouldn't pass on info I think is good, since I'm a n0ob. :) I also didn't know about Windex.
spqrzilla
01-22-2013, 13:42
Windex works for cleaning after corrosive ammo ... because Windex is 99% water. Water is 100% water and works fine and costs less than Windex. If you insist on ammonia in your water, (not always a great idea if the barrel is chromium lined BTW), then you can buy ammonia and mix with water. Paying good money for an "R" in a circle is silly.
People who use WD 40 on their guns should be horsewhipped, frankly. Too many people don't understand what WD 40 is. Is not a cleaning solution at all, and its really not even a lubricant. Its a crappy rust preventative. And it does nothing for corrosive ammo residue at all.
Ammunition can last a long time is stored decently. Hard to predict, it depends on the quality of the original manufacturer.
Cleaning can be overdone. Lubrication can too, but only to the point of dripping out of the gun.
Zombie Steve
01-22-2013, 15:58
Wow. Lots of stuff to stir the pot on in this thread.
I'll start by saying the only ammo types I'd not fire together is jacketed bullet ammo after cast lead bullet ammo. Leading isn't very hard to get out normally, but if you've ironed it in the barrel by shooting jacketed over it, you're in for a long cleaning session.
As far as cleaning goes, take a lesson from the Hippocratic oath: First, do no harm. Guys do screw up their crowns, scratch their guns and do all sorts of crazy stuff (steel brushes) by not using some care and not having the right tool for the job... but that doesn't mean you shouldn't clean it, just do it right.
I'll usually give my guns a little something after each range trip - flush out / wipe down with WD-40 (no need for a whippin', it works fine for wiping off powder fouling) run a few patches down the barrel, lube (I use synthetic motor oil) or grease as needed and I'm done. If I know it's going in the safe for a long time, I may spend more time doing a detailed cleaning. If I know I'm shooting again tomorrow, I probably won't do anything but maybe add a little lube. Rifles for a hunt don't get cleaned until after the hunt (clean bore shots aren't as predictable as when you just leave it be). Copper fouling will become an issue sooner or later with rifles. Might be a long time and a lot of rounds, but in my experience, it's better to stay on top of it than try to clean out a barrel caked full of copper all at once.
As far as the old ammo goes... I bet better than half will fire just fine. I couldn't tell you if it's corrosive or not. I've shot 50 year old ammo and it was 100%. Also had handloads go through the wash machine and work fine. :)
To be honest, I'd just hold on to them for sentimental value. Hope this helped, OP.
Chromium lined barrel? There's another thing I'll have to check. I've never heard of that, either. Thank you!
Zombie Steve, that does help. Once I go through my gun safety class and CCW class, I'll have to make sure to double-check my pockets for ammo!
spqrzilla
01-24-2013, 17:29
Yeah, ammonia is not good for plated things as the plating uses a copper layer that is attacked.
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