Bad .308 match ammo?

[Picher]

I was given a couple of boxes of .308 match ammo and happened to pull a bullet to try firing only the primer in a Win 100 to check firing pin function.

When I went to dump the powder out, it was all stuck together and I had to dig it out. The boxes and cases don't look like they were stored in a damp condition, but I still think the ammo may have been stored improperly.

What do you think happened to the powder? Should I pull all the bullets and throw the powder out, or is the powder a special kind that may still be fine to shoot?

Picher

 

[wjkuleck]

Manufacturer? Brand? Lot number?

As a rule, if the powder doesn't run out freely, it's decomposed & should be discarded.

Regards,

Walt

 

[wogpotter]

Was the powder stick, or ball in appearance?
Compressed powder loads will sometimes get "sticky" because of the compression.
If it's actually bonded together then there is a problem, but if its both stick powder & just wedged together it may be fine.

Compressed ball powder is a no-no.

 

[Picher]

The ammo is commercial Federal Gold Medal, 168 grain Boat-Tail Hollow Point Match. It's stick powder but isn't just compressed. I had to dig every bit of it out with a sharp instrument.

The ammo was given to me by a friend who sold his .308 Win and I don't have one. I was going to give it to a friend, but he passed away recently.

I think it's toast, so I'll pull the bullets and save the brass.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

Picher