Are old 50 cal rounds dangerous?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Are old 50 cal rounds dangerous?

Posted: 10/22/2004 2:17:58 PM EDT

So my grandfather walked back into the mountains here in Washington state to a Air Force plane which crashed back in the 40's. The location of this plane is well known around here and it has been stripped clean in the last 60 years. Anyway, I found two 50 caliber bullets which my Grandfather took from this AF plane and the bullets have been sitting in the basement for the last 60 years.

Are these rounds dangerous? Could they blow up if dropped? Can I shoot them out of a 50 cal?

Thanks.

Posted: 10/22/2004 2:18:44 PM EDT

[#1]

Only on the receiving end....

Sgatr15

Posted: 10/22/2004 2:19:43 PM EDT

[#2]

They are pretty dangerous if you load them into a Barrett and point it at something.

Posted: 10/22/2004 6:38:43 PM EDT

[#3]

Dnagerous? No. Shoot them out of a .50 rifle? No.

Posted: 10/22/2004 6:46:25 PM EDT

[#4]

Yes, if you drop them and strike the primer they could go bang.

If you want to have some real fun, tie a 2' ribbon to the round and and tape a BB to the primer,
throw it 20 - 30' in the air and watch what happens (after taking cover).

Posted: 10/22/2004 7:24:16 PM EDT

[#5]

"Are old 50 cal rounds dangerous?"

HELL YES, FROM WHAT I HEAR THEY CAN SHOOT DOWN SATELLITES!

Posted: 10/22/2004 9:07:32 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
"Are old 50 cal rounds dangerous?"

HELL YES, FROM WHAT I HEAR THEY CAN SHOOT DOWN SATELLITES!

Wow I thought they could only shoot through schools, I guess it shows what I know.

Posted: 10/22/2004 9:12:38 PM EDT

[#7]

If they've been stored in a cool dry place, they are still good to go.
The primers are corrosive, so I wouldn't sjhoot them unless you want to be scrubbing a bore with hot soapy water then giving it a real good cleaning to neutralize the salts.

Other than that. Yeah, shoot 'em. Just not in my rifle.

Posted: 10/22/2004 9:27:33 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
If they've been stored in a cool dry place, they are still good to go.
The primers are corrosive, so I wouldn't sjhoot them unless you want to be scrubbing a bore with hot soapy water then giving it a real good cleaning to neutralize the salts.

Other than that. Yeah, shoot 'em. Just not in my rifle.

Just run a windex/ammonia solution soaked patch once or twice down the bore and clean as usual. Shooting corrosive ammo is not as big a deal as many people might claim, especially in old bolt actions.

ETA: How to clean after shooting corrosive ammo.

Posted: 10/22/2004 9:37:24 PM EDT

[#9]

That wouldn't happen to be the B-17 in Tull Canyon in the Olympics?

Posted: 10/22/2004 9:42:20 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Yes, if you drop them and strike the primer they could go bang.

If you want to have some real fun, tie a 2' ribbon to the round and and tape a BB to the primer,
throw it 20 - 30' in the air and watch what happens (after taking cover).

"Hey! Watch this!"

Posted: 10/22/2004 10:13:50 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
That wouldn't happen to be the B-17 in Tull Canyon in the Olympics?

BTDT

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Are old 50 cal rounds dangerous?

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