Is it safe to shoot?

It's two 20-round boxes of Winchester 30-30 (yellow box) labeled Western Super-X Silvertip, and is 150 grain. Lot number is 14NE5.

It was purchased in 1959. Back then, it sold for $3.85 per box of 20.

If the cases are no more than lightly tarnished, go ahead and shoot it. If they're deeply corroded, particularly around the case mouth, deep six them. I've got WW II .303 surplus here that chronographs right up to specs.

It's probably not old or rare enough to have much collector's value, although it might be worth more than current retail if the boxes are in like new condition.

Bye
Jack

Jsimmons
First;check the overall appearence of the boxes.They may,as you already heard'be worth selling to a collector.
If the ammo was kept under good conditions,they will be just fine to shoot.
Frank

The boxes aren't like new, but they're in fairly goof shape. The ammo itself looks brand new. May dad has had the ammo since about 1990 or so, and since then, it's been stored in a gun safe. Don't now about the time before he got it though.

For years I've been using CIL Dominion 6,5x54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer factory ammunition, 160 gr jacketed bullet, that was loaded in the early 1950's, without any problems or difficulties. The other day I fired a round to double check scope sight at 100 yards, the 160 gr jacketed bullet arrived about 1/2" from center - which is well within 'minute of deer'...
Over the years have fired lots of old factory ammunition without any ill effects. I would venture to say, if the ammunition has been stored in good conditions and looks to be good overall (not corroded or such), then it should probably give you good service. Proof is in the firing...
hope this lends some insight, Bear

I was kind of wondering the same thing. I've got a box of .30-30 shells made be C.I.L Dominion that date back to the mid to late 1950's. They aren't corroded, but heavily tarnished. Wasn't sure if they'd be safe to shoot, or if the old powder would be hard on the barrel.

If the cases aren't corroded, it's usually OK. Green corrosion (verdigris) around the case mouth is a bad sign. Powder hasn't changed much since the start of WW II. Corrosive primers are a problem, but C-I-L hasn't used them since before WW II, and was the only company that loaded ammo for the US Army with non-corrosive primers during WW II.

Bye
Jack