Shotshells safe to shoot??

[dstewart949]

So my father handed me a crate of ammo from who knows when. Included were a bunch of 12 gauge shotshells with a blueish green like substance coming from the bottom part of the casing.

My question is, are these safe to shoot?? I have attached a photo (sorry for the crappy camera).

I tried the search but came up with neg results.

Any help would be great.

 

[Caboose]

Clean them up and see how corroded the brass is? It may have oxidized to the point where the brass may split when fired, or at least not feed / eject properly.

Not worth wrecking your gun to save a few bucks on ammo.

 

[Garlond]

...and the problem isn't the camera...the backround is nice and in focus.

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Just looks like corrosion, like on an old penny found on the street after winter.

 

[CanAm]

use the macro setting (flower) on the camera. YEs the shells will be fine. Some steel wool will clean them up. Likely from soggy boxes.

 

[geologist]

The green is oxidized (rusted) copper from the brass base.

 

[telesquirt]

Ahhhhh-----the old Imperial high brass, I think I'm starting to tear up a bit----sniff sniff.

 

[jennis]

Good to go, blast away

 

[dstewart949]

Thanks alot guys! I will be cleaning them up and sending them downrange!

 

[SMLE 303]

Is that stuff(the shells) ssg? I have a bunch just like them, minus the corrossion

 

[telesquirt]

Looks like #4 shot to me. That was my main duck load before the steel thing.

 

[dstewart949]

It's C-I-L Imperial #4 shot.

 

[squirrelnuttz]

I'd think twice about using them in any shotty you actually like. I had a wingmaster bolt blow open and throw nasty particulates around, bent the feed ramp straight down, and rang my bell for me from shooting ammo that looked like that! I shot quite a few without incident, used them on gophers, however I now try to salvage what I can from shells that look like that and chuck the rest rather than have that happen twice!