Zeroing with surplus ammunition

[Morrow_96]

Hey all, this might be stupid question so sorry in advance...

I have a Mosin PU that i need to zero. I have one of those 440 tin cans of corrosive ammo dating to the 80's.

I dont know much about ammunition. How big of a difference is this surplus stuff to modern loads? Am I wasting my time by trying to zero and test my rifles capabilities using old ammo?

I also have surplus corrosive Ethiopian 8mm ammo for my k98. Their hasn't been any duds, but their has been half second delays.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Older ammo can degrade depending on it's storage. Hard to say how this stuff will perform without testing it first...you can zero something but the ammo might not agree with new stuff.

[Daan Kemp]

If you have erratic ignition the grouping will probably be erratic too. Old ammo doesn't necessarily mean bad ammo. It should be similar to today's commercial ammo although in my experience commercial ammo is downloaded to prevent litigation.

I would finish the zeroing with the best ammo, then enjoy the rest before they really go bad. Be aware of the delay in ignition, don't open the bolt immediately, keep the cheek weld to the stock, wait for the shot. If after a while it doesn't happen, then open the bolt, dispose of the dud round appropriately.

Of course corrosive primed ammo, clean properly after every range session. Part of the enjoyment of shooting is that smell of a freshly cleaned gun!

[pocketshaver]

even brand new, there wasn't always a reliability to military ammunition supplies.. not by any country. Hence youll see whole production runs devoted to practice training for "ballistic issues".

its why they over built the mosin nagant rifle. Its why the whole 1903 rifle receiver bull crap happened,,, part was receiver heat treating and part over powered ammunition.