50 BMG Question

[Ji in Hawaii]

I've had an ammo collection since I was in grade school. One of my prizes in the collection was a 50 BMG a live round. I'm guessing what I had as a kid in the mid 1960s was Korean War vintage. Anyways I still have this one round of 50 BMG today. While packing up my collection for the move I noticed something that was never there before: There a split that has developed both in the projectile and the case at the same spot. It looks like the the bullet having the large split may have developed it first forcing the case to split too. Anyone here ever hear of or seen this happen before. Most importantly is it safe? Not sure if this round is tracer, incendiary, Explosive, or armor- piercing. Any chance after 67 years this thing inexplicably going off or starting a fire? What you do recommend I do with this round? Your input is appreciated! Thank you.

[marlinman93]

Not sure if it's a hazard, but since it's split it's not worth anything now, so I'd pull the bullet and dump the powder. I have 5-6 .50 BMG loaded rounds, and all look just fine. Never heard of a bullet expanding and splitting myself?

[AJMD429]

Strange.

Post a photo if possible.

Is the bullet tip colored...?

[missionary5155]

Good morning
We also have numerous caliber 50 cartridges and none have ever split. Our oldest is 1943. This is a unique happening !
When I was at FT Hood on M60A1 tanks we fired thousands of WW2 and Korean ammo. Do not remember seeing or hearing of any "split" cases.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I would not want it in my collection. .50 ammo is not that hard to find. I would find a newer/safer round to replace it with.
Not saying it's dangerous , but why take a chance ?

[Grizz]

I'd find a private spot and toss it into a bonfire. I've disposed of 22 to 30-30 that way with no drama. hot coals with flaming wood on top seems about right . . .

usual precautions and the doer is responsible for the deed of course

[earlmck]

Yes, that would make a fellow nervous -- that bullet has to be made of something besides just the lead and jacket to generate enough pressure to split.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Are there any color bands on the bullet.
All NATO countries use the same bullet tip colour-coding system.

Red Tracer

Black Armour piercing

Silver Armour piercing/incendiary

It can have all three or APIT for Armour piercing incendiary tracer

[765x53]

A lead core oxidizing could cause the split. I have heard of fine old shotgun stocks splitting because the lead wool used to add weight, began to oxidize.

[GunnyMack]

I have some '06 military stuff that was given to me years ago. A few of them split. It's probably just dissimilar metals causing a galvanic reaction. I finally pulled all the bullets to use in my .308.
I'd pull the bullet, burn the powder, pour some oil inside the case to kill the primer. Or since you live on the island just toss it somewhere into deep salt water!

[Ji in Hawaii]

Mahalo for all your input. I have been running around like a chicken without a head with this move so haven't had time to take a photo until now. Here it is!
I have never seen anything like it. There is no color on the bullet, just brass with a light patina. I think I will dispose of it but not in fire (suburbia) but maybe in water. The canal behind my house is 6 feet deep with about 3 feet of of silt. Either that or out in the Pacific for a burial at sea.

[Hawkeye2]

If the bullet's metal jacket is brass it has been work hardened by forming and age and fatigue have caused it to split just like an old brass cartridge case. If that's the case no problem, it's safe. Hang on to it, it has a story that needs to be told every time you show it.

[Blaine]

Pull the bullet, empty the brass, and re-insert the bullet. Make up a legend about using it to stab a 300-pound boar that attacked you, and it split when it hit skull bone. We'll back you up, Bra...