Howzit guys. I just recently acquired a load of old ammo including 25 auto, 9mm, 45 auto, 38 special (a lot of 38 special!), 12 gauge 00 buck and 1oz slugs. Most of them look clean and decent but a large amount looks questionable. My question is does discoloring on the brass and/or the bullet itself mean the ammo is deemed unusable? Most of the 45 auto looks bad, which is a bummer because thats my fav. Or is it okay to shoot. Also if anyone wants the 25 auto, it's up for grabs. There's 100 rounds in 2x50 round boxes. Lemme know. Would appreciate your input. Always get great insight on here. Thanks guys. Aloha...

Should be fine I've shot some old .45 that look about the same or worse.

Keep a look out for squib loads and hangfires with old unknown ammo.

That 45 auto in the  center photo is a reload.
I can dissect and evaluate it for you if you like.
Forensic reloading is my hobby. Lol.

Donate the 25 auto for the 2a legislative action fundraiser.

That looks pretty rough to me... I'd recommend you hand it all over to an experienced ammo disposal technician.  It just so happens that I, myself, can dispose of every single caliber you listed.  And, based on extensive experience, I'd say that even the ammo which looks good should probably be disposed of as well.  Ammo contamination, you know.  My service guarantees that each individual cartridge will be disposed of.  If you'd like, I can even provide complete documentation for your records. 

Normally, given the hazardous nature of the process, I charge a $5,000 up-front fee, and an additional $25 per cartridge.  That includes all environmental licenses and hazmat fees, of course!  But for an active fellow forum member, I am willing to drop the per-cartridge assessment.  This is a limited time offer, though, since my current EIS for lead disposal is only valid through the end of March.  After that, I'll need to ask for an additional $250,000 to renew before we proceed, so act now!

But, should you want to incur all the risks yourself, just take your time.  Anything that looks particularly suspicious, load one round at a time.  And as zippz said, keep an eye out for both hangfires and squibs.  Seriously, count 30 Mississippi before clearing a "misfire!"  And keep a bit of weed eater line handy to check the bore after low recoil or quiet rounds.

That looks pretty rough to me... I'd recommend you hand it all over to an experienced ammo disposal technician.  It just so happens that I, myself, can dispose of every single caliber you listed.  And, based on extensive experience, I'd say that even the ammo which looks good should probably be disposed of as well.  Ammo contamination, you know.  My service guarantees that each individual cartridge will be disposed of.  If you'd like, I can even provide complete documentation for your records. 

Normally, given the hazardous nature of the process, I charge a $5,000 up-front fee, and an additional $25 per cartridge.  That includes all environmental licenses and hazmat fees, of course!  But for an active fellow forum member, I am willing to drop the per-cartridge assessment.  This is a limited time offer, though, since my current EIS for lead disposal is only valid through the end of March.  After that, I'll need to ask for an additional $250,000 to renew before we proceed, so act now!

But, should you want to incur all the risks yourself, just take your time.  Anything that looks particularly suspicious, load one round at a time.  And as zippz said, keep an eye out for both hangfires and squibs.  Seriously, count 30 Mississippi before clearing a "misfire!"  And keep a bit of weed eater line handy to check the bore after low recoil or quiet rounds.

...
I'm going to hire you to dispose of some 30.06

That looks pretty rough to me... I'd recommend you hand it all over to an experienced ammo disposal technician.  It just so happens that I, myself, can dispose of every single caliber you listed.  And, based on extensive experience, I'd say that even the ammo which looks good should probably be disposed of as well.  Ammo contamination, you know.  My service guarantees that each individual cartridge will be disposed of.  If you'd like, I can even provide complete documentation for your records. 

Normally, given the hazardous nature of the process, I charge a $5,000 up-front fee, and an additional $25 per cartridge.  That includes all environmental licenses and hazmat fees, of course!  But for an active fellow forum member, I am willing to drop the per-cartridge assessment.  This is a limited time offer, though, since my current EIS for lead disposal is only valid through the end of March.  After that, I'll need to ask for an additional $250,000 to renew before we proceed, so act now!

Do you need an apprentice?

...
I'm going to hire you to dispose of some 30.06

Happy to oblige!

Do you need an apprentice?

Traditionally, I'd have to house and feed you.  I just don't see that happening...

Do you need an apprentice?

wax on, wax off

inspect the shotgun ammo for bulging and splitting

Keep a look out for squib loads and hangfires with old unknown ammo.

+1 on this.

My guess is if the ammo is bad your primer strikes will be good, but they will be duds.  The big problem is if the load turns out to be a squib and you put a full power load on top of it.

wax on, wax off

Why is it that when you say wax on, wax off I see you wearing this?

Thanks for the input guys. @oldfart, the 12g and 38sp look great. It's the .45ACP and the 9mm that are discolored. Will do on watching for squibs. Always great insight here. And @Tom_G, I'll hit you up if your services are needed!  Thanks again...

Thanks for the input guys. @oldfart, the 12g and 38sp look great. It's the .45ACP and the 9mm that are discolored. Will do on watching for squibs. Always great insight here. And @Tom_G, I'll hit you up if your services are needed!  Thanks again...

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Hmmm do you know what the 45acp is reloaded with?

Spicynoodle--thanks for the .25 ACP--I'll see you Saturday

JC

https://www.full30.com/video/058913a59027d7d71e6c5fbd2dfde568

never mind. disregard this video. I thought it would be useful because they guy mentioned corroded ammo but never shoots it.

I'd recommend you hand it all over to an experienced ammo disposal technician.

Yeah, right.  Me too, I'm a certified experienced ammo disposal technician for the mainland.

Just be careful with it.  Corrosion that funky-bad on a case in spots like that  might mean that whatever corroded the case might corrode your gun/chamber.  Wipe it down, try it out, then clean the gun as if it had definitely fired corrosive ammo.

I shot all this only 3 from 1956 failed to firesome of the worst ones