I acquired this ammo for my new (to me) half-Krag (I still need an original stock!)

Can you help me identify it? What is it worth? Can I shoot it?

Thanks

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Appears to be 30-40 Krag ammo manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms. Value is what a collector would pay for it (and it is highly collectible). You would potentially experience some misfires and split cases due to its age if you tried to use it. It looks like it was manufactured in 1930. I would sell to a collector and invest in fresh ammo. Just my take.

My advice is do NOT try and shoot em!  As Suredan said, you likely see cracked cases... and almost certainly see misfires.  In addition, they most likely are corrosive!  Save em for collecting and buy some Hornady or Remington ammo.

psteinmayer wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 10:24pm:

. . . you likely see cracked cases... and almost certainly see misfires.  In addition, they most likely are corrosive! . . .

I believe that by 1930 Winchester and most other US makers had learned the value of a final neck anneal to alleviate the stress cracking common in earlier production.

Label on box says "Staynless" - this means non-corrosive priming.

Hey Parashooter,
I had an old shop foreman mention that copper age hardens. If he was right, I would guess it is a slow process.
If age hardening is a real thing would almost 100 year old brass be a candidate?

FredC, I think you are on the right track. I have some older cartridges in my collection that exhibit cracked necks and they have never been fired or reloaded.

Yup, "Staynless" = non corrosive.

Sell 'em (or trade) to a collector. Or keep 'em for your collection.

I agree.  Great to look at but I wouldn't shoot them. 

I was given 4 boxes of 30-40 220 gr Remington Kleenbore a while back.  These were suspected to be early 60s vintage.  The ammo looked very good.  I shot a few rounds over the chrono.  Velocity ranged from 2010 to 2385.  Corresponding recoil was noticeably different too. 

I tried to pull a few bullets without much luck.  They were stuck, galvanic bonding between copper jacket and brass case.  I attempted to break the bond by bumping the bullet against a seating die.  Nope, only succeeded in crushing the shoulder.  They were really stuck!

Vic

Parashooter wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 10:39pm:

I believe that by 1930 Winchester and most other US makers had learned the value of a final neck anneal to alleviate the stress cracking common in earlier production. Label on box says "Staynless" - this means non-corrosive priming.

Good call Para... I missed the Staynless on the box.  I didn't know they were annealing by 1930 though. 

Under the banner of 'Murphy's Law' , I think I will vote on the side of caution.  I have a box with a lid marked, 8-30 as well, but only 'smokeless' rather than 'Staynless' and there is no 'Staynless' or lot number on the box itself.  The ammo is marked '30 Army' which is different.  So, we have two lids marked differently and two boxes with cartridges that are different.  Which do you think is correct - if either.  Knowing my success rate in situations like this, I will assume I have a replaced lid and corrosive ammo.

Fascinating and educational comments. Once again, thanks all.

Kerz wrote on Dec 8^th, 2018 at 10:46am:

I agree.  Great to look at but I wouldn't shoot them.  I was given 4 boxes of 30-40 220 gr Remington Kleenbore a while back.  These were suspected to be early 60s vintage.  The ammo looked very good.  I shot a few rounds over the chrono.  Velocity ranged from 2010 to 2385.  Corresponding recoil was noticeably different too.  I tried to pull a few bullets without much luck.  They were stuck, galvanic bonding between copper jacket and brass case.  I attempted to break the bond by bumping the bullet against a seating die.  Nope, only succeeded in crushing the shoulder.  They were really stuck! Vic

Wow!  I'll bet that 220@2385 was a thumper!  It's good that you had a chronograph going.  I need to get one of those gadgets!

Madsenshooter, Yelp I definitely knew something wasn't right.  :)

With your knowledge and experience, a chronograph should be on your Christmas list!  I used a Shooting Chrony for years.  Often there was an erratic number during a string.  I'd just toss it and shoot another round.  Purchased a Magneto Speed a couple years ago.  A great instrument but has some firearms limitation due to the way it mounts.  The attached link is very informative:   (You need to Login
Vic