FN-58 M2 Ball

[kb1903]

I have received a bandoleer of this in 5 round 03 stripper clips. What is the dope on this, good, bad, corrosive, berdan? OK to shoot? Thanks, Ken

[musketshooter]

Berdan for sure, probably corrosive. I would pull t down and reuse the powder and bullet if you are shooting a semi auto.

[Sunray]

All FN made M2 is corrosive if it's dated before 1957. Your's is ok, but Berdan primed. Corrosive isn't really a big deal. You just have to flush with hot tap water then clean as per normal.

[Art]

It is almost surely Berdan. To be sure simply fire a cartridge, look into the case with a small flashlight, two flash holes Berdan, no joy for reloading, one flash hole you're good to go.

It probably isn't corrosive but I personally treat all foreign milsurp ammo before the 80s as corrosive unless proven otherwise. Some current milsurp from Russia and former combloc countries is still corrosive. Corrosive isn't a big deal as long as you clean properly, soapy water or some other aqueous solution. I don't shoot corrosive in autoloaders because cleaning is such a pain but shoot it regularly in my bolt guns; I clean properly so no problem.

[kb1903]

Thanks for the replys. I have fired literally thousands of US GI corrosive ball without any issues after proper cleaning. Will do the same here. Ken

[emmagee1917]

FN went to non-corrosive primers on Dec. 6th , 1957 . All '58 and later dated ammo is non-corrosive .
Chris