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357 mag Revolver problems |
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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Posted: January/05/2020 at 17:02 |
Yesterday I broke out the Colt Troopers 1. a MK III and 2. a MK V. Both have been safe queens for the past 5 years. Reason for the break out was that I came across several old boxes of even older reloads that had been stored in the barn since 2008. They have been exposed to a wide range of fluctuating temperatures ranging from -20 to over 120 degrees. They were target loads with HBWC loaded over 6.5 gr. of unique powder. These could have been loaded since the mid to late 70s. I had some FTF. Usually 2-3 out of each loading. Both pistols had similar failures Then most fired on second hits. I have shot ammo that was a similar age that ran perfect but had been stored inside the house. Do you think the hot Oklahoma summers could be the problem? Plan to pull out some fresher ammo and retry next week. Hope it is not age weakened hammer springs.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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It's the ammo.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Plan on more of the same with 30+ year old rounds that have been exposed to environmental conditions of that nature. And, if there is much more - and you choose to shoot it, plan on getting a round stuck in the barrel and/or destroying at least one gun.
It might not happen, all might be well; but time and elements will definitely impact ammo performance - elements more so. I've shot a few rounds from WW2 and they functioned, I didn't performance test them. And all were kept in very stable conditions, after - obviously - they made it stateside. |
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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From what I can tell the ones that went off were fairly consistent by the grouping. Likely the primers have lost there integrity. Only about 300 rounds in this previously lost stash. Today will be trying other shells that are not as old and also have been stored in a more stable environment.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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New shells go boom. Now to find out if the entire lot of the lost stash has gone bad. At least it will give good trigger exercises not knowing when one might not go off. With the price of 357mags can't afford to trash the brass.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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I would not take the shooting approach with ammo proven to be unreliable.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 8915 |
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Must have been the temp swings that affected the powder. I was a little surprised to hear about the issues because just last year I shot off an old box of 9mm Steyr berdan primered ammo. Head stamp date 1937 and never had a failure. Still had a really good crack to them.Been in a basement for over 50 years so temp fairly stable although humidity up and down.
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God save the Empire!
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I would certainly worry about safety first. Then, trashing a Trooper.
140 deg temperature variance, over 10 years old, reloads......bad combo. The temperature changes alone cause condensation to form. The powder cakes up and burns inconsistently. I have had bad things happen with waterfowl loads that had gotten wet off and on over many seasons. I almost had a kaboom with my Benelli SBE. I fired at some ducks and the shot went bloop bloop out 20 yards. Another shell went into the chamber. Luckily, I was suspicious and found a wad stuck in the barrel before I fired again....and they were sealed factory rounds. Be safe
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Doug
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Doug is right. Precipitation is a bigger problem than heat.
I wouldn't risk it too much. I shoot a lot of old surplus ammo, but I make sure it is stored dry. ILya
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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Get a bullet puller if you want to save the brass. Beating a bullet out of a barrel is a PITA. I just lost a PPK because of bad ammo.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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I will know more after breaking down several rounds to identify the component that test failures.
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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primer sealant is a good choice on any ammo stored long term.
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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