[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, I don't go back quite THAT far -

The first large bore rifle I had access to was my grandfathers (maybe great grandfathers) old 45-70 Springfield that he carried in the Spanish-American war.

I found some "old" ammo for it out in a barn cabinet. The smokeless powder cartridge was corroded but I figured it would still fire. I opened the "trap door", inserted the cartridge, noticing it fit really snug, and forced the trap door closed. Cocked that puppy and pulled the trigger.

BAM! The powder was still good and it went off. My head hurt and my ears started ringing real loud. After I finally got the trap door open, I saw what had happened. The shell casing had split and was jammed in the breech.

I couldn't get the casing out, so I took it to my grandfather. He had to heat the breech with his torch (expanding it) enough that he could coax the split casing out.

Two lessons learned. Heat can help things become unstuck and DO NOT use old ammunition!

THE END


humfrz

I have a 1941 Lee Enfield 303 with about 20 rounds. The last time I fired it was in 1975 and the ammo was not new then. At least they are not corroded. Well, not visibly at any rate.