Rusty shotshells?

[krew08]

Well I just have to many things rusting around. (see http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=89420 and I'm expecting a dehumidifier to arrive today...)

I took a look at some Winchester "military" 00 buck I bought a couple of years ago and the hulls are developing small spots of rust. I'm not sure if it's surface or deeper. Some of it looks like it can be scrubbed off but I'd be afraid of setting off the primer in my hand.

Research (I mean google ) suggests that as long as the hull is still in one piece it should generally be okay (for targets at least) because the pressure generated by shotshells is not as hot as pistols and especially rifles.

So what do ya'll think?

Sorry I do not have pics now but I can get some when I get home later.

 

[vin]

As long as it's not bad enough to scratch up the chamber, or stick in the chamber, I wouldn't worry too much. I've shot waterfowl loads with minor rust spots on them with no problem. Just be confident that moisture has not compromised the powder, you don't want to have a load stuck in the barrel.

 

[JasonB]

I have a few boxes of older shells with some rust/corrosion on them that I got from my grandfather a while back that had some rust on them. They seemed to shoot just fine but upon inspection about half of the spent casings had splits in the brass.

 

[blackthorne]

The only thing you really need to worry about is that when "some" shells deteriorate, the tube (case body) can separate from the base and become lodged in the bbl, causing a bbl obstruction and then...... boom.

 

[cjl7]

Thanks for posting. Hadn't really thought about dehumidifiers for my ammo storage. But now that you bring it up, I'll probably get one of those stay dry boat de-humidiers and keep it with my ammo box. Just to be safe.

 

[jmiller320]

Carry a cleaning rod with you. If it doesn't go bang right clear the bore before the next round.

 

[BeStocked]

As long as it's not bad enough to scratch up the chamber, or stick in the chamber, I wouldn't worry too much. I've shot waterfowl loads with minor rust spots on them with no problem. Just be confident that moisture has not compromised the powder, you don't want to have a load stuck in the barrel.

Never want a load stuck in the barrel (of the gun either)