Ammunition disposal
Discussion
Whilst tidying out my garage over the weekend I came across some shotgun cartridges that I'd obviously forgotten about. I have a shotgun certificate of course....
These cartridges must be quite a few years old and the garage is 'moderately' dry. Roughly 100 cartridges.
As I don't fancy using them, I wonder how you are supposed to dispose of them? There's clearly a legal requirement - which is why I've posted the question here.
These cartridges must be quite a few years old and the garage is 'moderately' dry. Roughly 100 cartridges.
As I don't fancy using them, I wonder how you are supposed to dispose of them? There's clearly a legal requirement - which is why I've posted the question here.
NDA said:
Whilst tidying out my garage over the weekend I came across some shotgun cartridges that I'd obviously forgotten about. I have a shotgun certificate of course....
These cartridges must be quite a few years old and the garage is 'moderately' dry. Roughly 100 cartridges.
As I don't fancy using them, I wonder how you are supposed to dispose of them? There's clearly a legal requirement - which is why I've posted the question here.
Any rust on the brassing? If not they'll be fine. These cartridges must be quite a few years old and the garage is 'moderately' dry. Roughly 100 cartridges.
As I don't fancy using them, I wonder how you are supposed to dispose of them? There's clearly a legal requirement - which is why I've posted the question here.
Storing cartridges in a garage, which will inevitably become cold and damp during winter can cause issues with semi-auto shotguns, but it depends on the type of cartridge.
Shouldn't be a problem with O/U or S/S guns, but if you do give them away let the new owner know how they've been stored.
Shouldn't be a problem with O/U or S/S guns, but if you do give them away let the new owner know how they've been stored.
NDA said:
I think I'll keep them based on the replies here.... they look OK.
But I still wonder what the 'official' answer is to disposing of things like shotgun cartridges? I guess people don't need to do it too often.
When I finished with my firearms certificate many years ago, I took my unused powder and primers to the local gun shop for disposal.But I still wonder what the 'official' answer is to disposing of things like shotgun cartridges? I guess people don't need to do it too often.
I was given some ex WD shotgun shells, on the side it said "one shot" I assumed they were a large shot and ideal for geese, (in scotland its legal to use lead over fields) first few shots not much luck, then I hit one, BIG hole in goose, turned out they had ONE SHOT in them,
something about the home guard shooting germans etc,
old shells will still work unless they have been wet.
something about the home guard shooting germans etc,
old shells will still work unless they have been wet.
REALIST123 said:
NDA said:
ElectricPics said:
Any rust on the brassing? If not they'll be fine.
None.Hmmm, OK - I might use them then.
Unless they have been wet, they will be fine.
If they are really old, they will have proper brass bases - that won't rust. Anything less than 10 years old will probably have a cheapo steel base (passivated to look like brass). That will rust if it has got damp.
They'll almost certainly be fine - they won't explode in some bizarre fashion, it is possible that they will fail to fire. If you pull the trigger and just hear a click, don't open the breech and have a look. It is possible for the firing to be delayed, and opening the breech will get you a face full of cartridge. Put the gun down (pointing in a safe direction) and do something else for a few minutes, then open the gun. If you get misfires, then a gun shop will take them off your hands.
I'm sure they will be fine - a friend gave me a few hundred very old Eleys - proper thick cardboard and brass cases, must have been from the 60s. I've kept one box of 25 on the shelf because you don't see things like that any more - the rest all went through a semi-auto with no issues.
If they are really old, they will have proper brass bases - that won't rust. Anything less than 10 years old will probably have a cheapo steel base (passivated to look like brass). That will rust if it has got damp.
They'll almost certainly be fine - they won't explode in some bizarre fashion, it is possible that they will fail to fire. If you pull the trigger and just hear a click, don't open the breech and have a look. It is possible for the firing to be delayed, and opening the breech will get you a face full of cartridge. Put the gun down (pointing in a safe direction) and do something else for a few minutes, then open the gun. If you get misfires, then a gun shop will take them off your hands.
I'm sure they will be fine - a friend gave me a few hundred very old Eleys - proper thick cardboard and brass cases, must have been from the 60s. I've kept one box of 25 on the shelf because you don't see things like that any more - the rest all went through a semi-auto with no issues.
rxe said:
it is possible that they will fail to fire. If you pull the trigger and just hear a click, don't open the breech and have a look. It is possible for the firing to be delayed, and opening the breech will get you a face full of cartridge. Put the gun down (pointing in a safe direction) and do something else for a few minutes, then open the gun. If you get misfires, then a gun shop will take them off your hands.
Good info.Thanks very much.
bobtail4x4 said:
I was given some ex WD shotgun shells, on the side it said "one shot" I assumed they were a large shot and ideal for geese, (in scotland its legal to use lead over fields) first few shots not much luck, then I hit one, BIG hole in goose, turned out they had ONE SHOT in them...
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