Quote:
Originally Posted by SIKSUKR
Old ammo should almost never be a danger problem, only a possible misfire issue. There is an incredible amount of WWII 105mm ammo that is used on a regular basis in Howitzers for avi control. Still very safe.
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Unless old ammo has gotten wet or been stored in a very damp environment, it should still be OK. However, when a batch of old ammo is first used, the shooter needs to be diligent until its condition is determined. The potential danger is that if the ammo has gotten wet or been stored in a moist environment, the powder might still ignite but produce insufficient energy to fire the bullet completely out of the barrel. If that were to happen and the shooter were to fire a subsequent shot with a bullet stuck in the barrel, there is a very real danger. In some cases, the barrel could burst. So when initially using old ammo, use your ears to ensure that each shot produces a full-power "bang" and not a soft "poof". Also, watch your target to make sure each shot produces a hole. Once you've determined that the ammo is firing correctly, you should be able to use the rest of it with confidence.