shot a box of 06 surplus, stamped FA 35
shot pretty good actually, probly corosive
still got a few boxes stamped 42

How'd it shoot? In what?

I've shot surplus .45 from WWII with no problems and good groups.

isn't old ammo supposed to be hotter than when it was new? Something about the nitroglycerin leaking out of it or somethin' like that. Reminds me of dynamite "sweating." If it is, don't use it. Don't even touch it...

used an old sako finnbear, kept most around 1 1/4 withoverall about 2"
shot some more dated 42 amorpiercing grouped 4 - 5 inches

Sounds like a fine rifle and a good day at the range.

When I bought my son an Obie K98, I got some German and Russian 8x57 ammo for it. Haven't shot the real German ('42-'43) rounds yet, but have shot the Russian-marked stuff. I guess it was made for all of the K98s that they captured, maybe to help foment revolution in other countries. Anyway, it shot like crap! I'd say about 40% were misfires, when this same rifle fired 100% of the time with Turkish and Romanian 8x57.

I love old ammo. I was shooting allot of 1920's Bulgarian 8x56r and 1938 Nazi stamped 8x56r in my M95's. I have some 1940..46 Portuguese 8x57 that is steller ammo. 1949 Turk 8x57 is real nice ammo, nice and hot! I have about 2200 rounds left. I have some 1944 Brit .303 MKVII that is terrible.
My favorite shotgun shells are paper hulls. Much better than newer stuff.

I have had a couple of bad experiences with old ammo....fired some old Kynoch 9,5x57MS in my Mannlicher Schoenauer, got a cartridge separation and the gas blew in my face, had glasses but scary...

Recently I shot some WW2 .303 in my SMLE mk 3....same shit happende......needless to say all of it now rests in peace on the ocean floor..