Foul Smell
 

I'm doing some research for someone on a different forum. This the question:

I inherited some ammo and some of it has a really foul odor, it is all in military ammo cans. The odor is close to an ammonia smell. Can ammo go bad?

Re: Foul Smell
 

Absolutely. If it has been improperly stored (think hot) then it can deteriorate. It should have almost a sweet solvent smell (which is ether), not grassy or ammonia. I would ditch it.

Re: Foul Smell
 

thanks my friend, I'm going to send him your answer, he's hanging out some where else on here.

Re: Foul Smell
 

could cordite not exhibit a possible acetone smell since acetone ws used on some MK batches as the jellification solvent prior to forming and extruding?

Re: Foul Smell
 

a lil research shows ec powder and poudre B were made from collodon ( nitro cellulose ) disolved in ther and ethanol, or just ether... seems like cordite though.. may be just using acetone.. unless the collodon was also ether treated.

dunno.. not a early 20th century brit propellant expert :) ;)

Re: Foul Smell
 

if you had time and a puller would it be possible to break them down and reload with modern powder

Re: Foul Smell
 

I know I have pulled a few to see the cordite...

Re: Foul Smell
 

Re: Foul Smell
 

The ammo could have been loaded with IMR powder. It smells of solvents and acids other noxious chemicals that are used in the manufacturing process. I had some loaded years ago and stashed in a military ammo can that gave off all of the aforementioned odors, and shot as good as when it was newly assembled. This may be what you have. Freshly opened cans of IMR powders have a chemical smell that I've never noticed when opening other brands of powders. It doesn't affect they way they perform, it's just the nature of their composition.


those who beat their guns into plowshares, will plow for those who didn't