Old reloads

[Rbstuartjr]

My brother was given a Remington 722 in .244 as a gift from an old friend. With the rifle he was given 5 full boxes of reloads dated 1962. The brass looks fine with no corrosion but I said that I would break the ammo down and dump the powder. Would you reuse the brass and bullets? What about the primers? The box stated they were Remington brass, CCI primers and Nosler bullets. I’m not sure about the powder. What would you guys do?

 

[magyars4]

244 is an unusual cartridge, so I'd be included to pull them apart and reuse the components.
I'm not a fan of using someone's reloads.

 

[25-5]

I was given my uncles 300 Wby mag, with ten boxes of cartridges. Everything from the mid 60's.
The original boxes were marked $8.50/20. Neat price! However, they were all some unknown person's reloads. So, I took them to my LGS for disposal. Bought new ammo at $45.00, and started over.

 

[rabid wombat]

What @magyars4 said!

 

[243winxb]

https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/old-ammo-will-it-still-work

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2019/05/cartridge-history-ever-heard-of-the-244-remington/

The 722 action gives lots of protection from a case separation. I would shoot them and watch for problems.
Hangfire would show bad powder. Stop shooting , scrap all except bullets.

Old guy reloads are better then new reloader ammo.

https://www.remington.com/firearm-history/model-722

 

[Project355]

Never use anyone else's reloads. Period. You have zero clue as to the actual contents.
The .244 isn't unusual, its just the 6mm Rem by its first name. Before my ex got it, I had a nice 700 ADL with a (lucky) high figure walnut factor stock. Was able to remove the terribly Rem plastic finish over the wood have the checkering recut by hand, and I finished the stock in pure tung oil (not the big box store stuff). Was a great rifle, a real tack driver and light on the recoil. When I took it out the first time after the "upgrade" to the stock, I chanced to meet a certain Florida senator.... and his son... practicing with a stainless 357 S&W (forget which). They both tried out the 6mm. This was back... oh... late 70's, so you can guess the senator.

Seriously, on using inherited reloads.... You meet an attractive gal in a bar, you're gonna get intimate with her, she tells you her "history", and you actually believe it and decide no protection is needed. NEVER USE ANYONE ELSE'S RELOADS.

Jeeeze 'o Pete, can't say that enuf. I was there when some fingers got blown off at Markham Park, on the hand of the guy NEXT TO the Super Blackhawk shooter who was "trying some reloads given to him". Just don't do it.

You should, disassemble the ammo, use the powder on the grass, and reload 'em with a safe load of your choosing. I always used 4320 in my 6mm. You shouldn't have to resize 'em if they chamber ok, so you might be able to "seat" new bullets after charging with a .243 die set in a pinch. The primers should be fine, or at least they'll be safe.

 

[.38 Special]

In general, I would not shoot unknown handloads. There's literally no way to know what they are.

The first thing I would do is check the case necks. Presumably they were necked down from something like a .257 Bob. If the parent cases weren't annealed first, splits are not unlikely after having sat for so many years. I have seen this myself...

If the cases look okay, I would then pull the bullets and measure and weigh them.

I would take the powder outside and set it on fire, because my kids love that.

If the bullets are the proper diameter, I would find some load data and put together a handful with new powder. If the primers all light off, I would load the rest of the cases and have fun.

Just as an aside, I would definitely anneal before loading them again. If these are the only cases to be had, and the proper neck die is not available, in all honesty I would pull all the bullets, dump the powder, knock out the old primers, and anneal all the cases to start with.

 

[Rbstuartjr]

I have no intention of shooting them. These were factory REM 244 head stamped that were reloaded. The brass looks fine. I am going to pull the bullets and dump the powder. Was wondering about the primers. How do you dispose of old primers? If brass is good, I’ll reload with new primers, powder and pulled bullets.

 

[Project355]

I'd reuse the old primers. Most likely fine, and not dangerous if you work up loads like ya oughta.

If you gotta pull em, decap such that they fall into oil. That will kill em. If you dont....and one goes off, then all the ones in the container go off and you'll have more trouble than the nudist who thought the hornets nest was a pinata.

 

[Otto]

Was wondering about the primers. How do you dispose of old primers?

Here's one guy's method.......

 

[dcarr]

Here's one guy's method.......

I will pass on that method, thank you

 

[Ironicaintit]

I’d ensure the primers are seated sufficiently, and then use them, along with fresh powder and reseated projectiles.

 

[.38 Special]

I have no intention of shooting them. These were factory REM 244 head stamped that were reloaded. The brass looks fine. I am going to pull the bullets and dump the powder. Was wondering about the primers. How do you dispose of old primers? If brass is good, I’ll reload with new primers, powder and pulled bullets.

Huh. I had no idea there was such a thing as factory .244 brass. Good to know!

 

[Rbstuartjr]

38 Special, the 244 brass was only made for a couple of years before it was rebranded 6mm REM in the 60’s, apparently.

 

[Project355]

Huh. I had no idea there was such a thing as factory .244 brass. Good to know!

I shot .244 , 6mm, .257 Robts and 7mm Mauser headstamps. The 7mm needs only trimmin and neck ream after sizing with no expander ball.

 

[edwardware]

Would you reuse the brass and bullets? What about the primers?

I'd certainly reuse everything but the powder.

 

[243winxb]

Brass may be a problem before the powder. Watch for neck splits. The head to datum may be compared from fired to reloads. How much stretch is there? Less then .010" is ok.

Powder charge weight- Pull bullets , weigh powder for a base line. Reload if powder looks/smells ok. Or load with new powder.

Old GI surplus 30-06 produced hangfire (click bang) for me years ago. It was a powder issue.

Your pulling the trigger, your choice. Good luck.

 

[MauriceSam]

I'd certainly reuse everything but the powder.

Empty the case and fire the primer to make sure it works. If so, should be good to use brass and primers as is.
Got a bunch of brass from a friend that was stored in his barn over last 25 years. Dumped it all in cleaning solution to wash mouse piss and poop off exterior of brass. (Was in busted plastic bag). After 6 wettings, then being dried, found that a few hundred "empty" cases were primed. Took random pieces and test fired, no problems. Loaded a couple on light side, no problems. Loaded finished rounds, all were fine. I did have data of primers, all he used we're same, but worked fine. Wouldn't use for defense purpose, but for target/plinking no problem.
Ditto on not using others reloads as some folks like hot rounds, or just don't respect the hobby enough to make safe rounds. Good luck.

 

[mdi]

I also am in the "pull 'em" camp. You don't have any idea of the attitude/state of mind, equipment or state of the components the original reloader used. Besides I like reloading and would rather reload than use loaded ammo, even factory fodder. I wouldn't poke out the primers but just pull bullets, set them aside for reuse and dump the powder...