Ammo in a fire? What happens?

[MoJo]

The title says it all. This video may surprise you. From SAAMI>

http://www.saami.org/videos/sporting_am ... ighter.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edited to embed the SAAMI video:
[youtube][/youtube]

[recaffeination]

If it cooks off, the brass can go zipping around. Basic Newtonian physics. The real danger is chambered rounds.

Next question?

[MoJo]

If it cooks off, the brass can go zipping around. Basic Newtonian physics. The real danger is chambered rounds.

Next question?

Did you watch the video? Lots more stuff than just fires covered.

[Chris]

I was at a fire where ammo started going off. We fought it from a distance after that.

[Dreamliner]

I'd like to see what it would look like for ammo stored in a 50 cal ammo can. Does it stay contained in the can or blow the lid off?

[jimlongley]

I was at a fire where ammo started going off. We fought it from a distance after that.

Were you scared of the noise?

In my FD we settled this question back in the 60s by simply putting some of our deer hunting rounds in a fire surrounded by a plywood enclosure. The damage was so small, although the fireworks were impressive, that we established a policy of fighting fires with ammo in them with the same level of caution that we used for any other fire.

There is a large differential in mass between the case and the projectile, which means that loose ammo will have a tendency for the case to become the projectile, and a fairly low velocity and low energy one at that, so injuries to exposed flesh might result, but the rubber coats we wore then, and today's bunker suits, would easily withstand penetration, the only thing to worry about would be the facial area.

[jimlongley]

Very salient points germane to the issue: At 14:36, 19, and 22 minutes, as well as the conclusions at 23:30.

[RoyGBiv]

It's only 07:57 and I've already learned something today.

Thanks for the informative post.

[ffemt300]

Great video. I cried when they destroyed all that ammo though.

[MoJo]

Great video. I cried when they destroyed all that ammo though.

It was for science

[knotquiteawake]

Mythbusters tested the same thing too.
[youtube][/youtube]

[canvasbck]

Mythbusters tested the same thing too.
[youtube][/youtube]

I barely made it through that one. Not one time did they refer to it as "ammo" or ammunition. It was "booolets" the whole way through. DROVE ME NUTS

[preyn2]

I've been hit by casings that cooked off in a burning garage. Getting hit by the casings was less of a problem than bowel control at that point.