Rst1990 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Was at work today and came accross this bullet can someone tell me what round this is. Also I'd like to keep it but fear it's still live what can I do? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 .50 Cal , made by the St Louis ordnance Co , 43 is the year 1943 . Chances are it was from a aircraft machine gun . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) After seeing it in a hand i have to agree it's a 50 cal Edited March 24, 2015 by welsh1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Wow, what a great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 What a find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roostshooter1 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Definately a 50 ive got some loaded 50s here so will put it up against a 12 gauge shell see if it looks right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Find someone with a .50cal reloading setup - they might be able to pull the bullet so you can empty the powder. The primer could carefully be pushed out, unless it is a Berdan type (I think) & you might be able to dissolve the contents with acetone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I have a chinese .50 made in to a bottle opener - definately the right size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rst1990 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Definately a 50 ive got some loaded 50s here so will put it up against a 12 gauge shell see if it looks rightIt is a fair size bullet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 sodium carbonate (washing soda) will neutralize the primer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mighty Prawn Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Could be a .17 HMR if you have a tiny hand! Otherwise what a whopper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Could be a .17 HMR if you have a tiny hand! Otherwise what a whopper! Wouldnt want to be firing that with one stuck in the barrell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy220 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Did you dig it up? Where were you working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 sodium carbonate (washing soda) will neutralize the primer. ......and may remove that stain on your cuff also. There's always an upside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Yes, definitely live and don't forget that it could well be incendiary or tracer. http://www.8472.co.uk/ordnancebullet_50.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 ......and may remove that stain on your cuff also. There's always an upside. It could be a label from some top designer wear like chanel. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) It may not be live as I have one exactly the same (same date too), but it is entirely empty even though the primer is intact. Edited March 24, 2015 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) Oh for goodness sake - 16 replies and none of you have noticed that it's a "cartridge"??? The bullet is the hard thing in the front of the case, designed to make a mess of people and light armour. sodium carbonate (washing soda) will neutralize the primer. Certainly won't, as it's almost certainly a mercury fulminate based primer, not one of the more modern styphnate or azide primers (which everyone says can be deactivated by sodium carbonate, but again, can't because the priming compound is plasticised and therefore impervious to aqueous solutions) but let's ignore that for now. With any luck though, it'll have degraded over the years it's been "lost" and won't be dangerous, but you never know. Come on chaps - give him some better (i.e. accurate) advice please. He should either keep it and get a better house insurance policy, or have it made safe by a competent armourer and returned for cleaning. Edited March 25, 2015 by neutron619 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Oh for goodness sake - 16 replies and none of you have noticed that it's a "cartridge"???. We were waiting to see who the first pedant would be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Without it on an FAC he is committing an offence. Hand it to someone who has .50cal ammo on ticket or a collection slot, or even an RFD. Possession is an absolute offence and will cost you your FAC at the very least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Oh you guy's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 "With any luck though, it'll have degraded over the years it's been "lost" and won't be dangerous, but you never know." So its safe, or its not safe, Is it a Question or is it a statement ? Hey who knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 The question is do you err on the side of caution and assume that it's live and old....... Where my house and hands are concerned I'd like to know it's not full of old powder. As has been mentioned if it is then there is an offence there as well to think about..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) "With any luck though, it'll have degraded over the years it's been "lost" and won't be dangerous, but you never know." So its safe, or its not safe, Is it a Question or is it a statement ? Hey who knows A statement, clearly To rephrase, I was simply saying that I hope that he's not placing himself in any danger because I hope it may not be live any longer, but that neither I nor anyone has any real way of knowing without trying to fire it - which would of course be a stupid thing to do. Simples. Edited March 25, 2015 by neutron619 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Gentlemen A high percentage of these rounds were tracers, so there would also be that to think about as well as an old primer and the original propelant. Usual advice is to hand it in at your local Police Station. Unfortunately it will then be destroyed by the local service EOD unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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