Hirtenberger Boxer primed ammo storage conditions

[simonyzer]

First, this is not a rant nor a complaint. I dont want this thread turning into a BullStorm.....

I bought a few cases of Hirt '74 Berdan ammo. Crates a in good shape and are made of brown stained softwood. On opening, they were clean and dry (clear plastic film). No problems there.

Then I got a case of the '83 Boxer primed stuff. This was different. Case was discoloured had a few cracks and the stickers were rippled on the verge of falling off. On opening the case (seal + metal straps) there is a very strong musty odour. Just as any surplus stuff but 10x stronger. Surprisingly, there is grass and dirt in the case (very small amount). The sealed battle packs shows dried up traces of water but are still watertight. All of this suggests that this case of ammo was soaked wet at one time. I doubt that the military store their arsenal outside to the hands of mother nature but could it be that one distributor's container is taking water? Could this whole lot took water and was compromized, thus why the Austrian GVT parted with it ?

Anyone had the same experience with this ammo ? Any thoughts?

Thanks !

 

[Jay]

No personal insight, the Hirtenberger I have from previous purchases years ago, seems fine.

I would NOT be happy to find out that the ammo I bought had been flooded and then dried out for sale to the public...

Jay

 

[Buckmastr]

Most of the 83 vintage stuff is smelly with some deterioration of the cardboard is was packed in. I don't think it was ever wet however.
It shoots good, even better if crimped because of the inconsistent neck tension, and any of the cardboard marks on the brass is easily removed with your fingernail or at most a bit of steel wool.

It's surplus for this very reason imo