For those that favor the 7.62x51 (and don't reload), German surplus DAG/MEN ammo has been a pretty nice deal lately. Even comes in nifty "battle packs" for long term storage...
Unfortunately, I read elsewhere that it might behoove one to crack open the battle packs AND boxes to check for corrosion on the cases. I had no idea, the first pack I got was pretty well flawless. But I did notice some iffy rounds in the second one. Opened up a third pack, and out of the boxes I've examined so far, 9 out of 40 rounds are at least a LITTLE iffy, and some of them I wouldn't want to stick in my rifle at all.
Kind of a bummer, the "good" rounds are VERY VERY good, reliable and accurate to boot! In fact I'm hoping I can get 500 good rounds together to take to my next Appleseed. I'd actually go buy more if the ones selling them would lower the price a bit to reflect this development.
There's a good discussion going on on another board with SOME known lot #s to watch out for (and some that seem to be good all around). I don't know that a link would be kosher so anyone interested can PM me for it.
http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplus/200-rd-battle-pack-308-762-nato-146-grain-fmj-german-men92-clean-surplus-ammo
Good stuff, so far.
Hmm, they specify 1992 or 1994 year. My first pack was from 1992, and that one had all good rounds in it.
1994 not so much, but 1993 is the year that keeps coming up related to the corrosion thing.
I have never bought it so I can't say for sure just how much it is corroded.
However, when I'm reloading and come across a case that the polisher didn't clean up I chuck the case in one of those Lee case trimmer tools in my cordless drill and spin the case against some steel wool. Cleans them up pretty nice.
That should work for loaded rounds as long as you spin them slowly (not sure if they'd get too hot if you turned them really fast). Either that or just rub the bad spots with the steel wool and it'll take most of the corrosion off the case/bullet.
I've spun Surplus Brit 7.62 in the past and it's worked fine - YMMV.
I also spin live pistol rounds all the time with no ill effects.
I have some Portugese 7.62x51 in battle packs, and the cases are corroded wherever they touch the cardboard boxes they are in. However, it appears to be purely cosmetic... the M1A eats them no problem. Accuracy is fine. It will do 2 MOA no problem.
I would just shoot the stuff and see how it does, unless you are obsessive/compulsive or something.
Here's a pic of 3 rounds I've found, examples of the ones I would question at least a bit before using:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/KyleFayar/Rounds.jpg)
The left one will most likely leave behind copper colored discoloration even after cleaning the other stuff off. Middle one may or may not. The one on the right, though, should clean up just fine.
I know that I'm stupid, but, that ammo looks fine to me. I have shot some stuff that looks far worse than that.
One thing that I will do if I find corroded ammo is, carry the worst lookin pieces in my pocket for a couple of days. When the verdigris has worn off I inspect the case with a powerful magnifying glass (my eyes aren't what they were) and look for pitting. No pitting and it's good to go.
This is what I do and by no means an endorsement.
Yes, some of the German stuff is corroded a bit. Throw it in the tumbler and it cleans up fine. I have had no feeding or other issues with it, and it shoots just fine.
Greg
Be aware: Tumbling will sometimes alter the powder characteristics and is not recommended.
I'm with henschman on this one.
If you like, sort out all the corroded stuff, and I'll shoot it, myself. :)
+1 on what Fred said about tumbling/vibrating loaded rounds.
The poweder breaks up in the case and will change the burn characteristics.
In many instances it will be a faster burn, higher pressure, bad Juju.
Hand polish only.
Quote from: Fred on April 11, 2011, 01:40:35 PM
Be aware: Tumbling will sometimes alter the powder characteristics and is not recommended.
I'm with henschman on this one.
If you like, sort out all the corroded stuff, and I'll shoot it, myself. :)