I got this thing as a gift back in the '70s - I remember the tag was still on it- $65. I bought myself a Lee hand loader and went to town. Heck, I wish I still had the Lee! Anyway, corrosive doesn't scare me, we can take care of that. Just have heard a lot of chatter about how crummy the old ammo is, like the persian from the '30s etc. that I still see a little of around the web. Guy had an ammo can full of surplus at a gun show last month - 300 rds for a 100 bucks. I couldn't tell where it was from so I passed. Should have snagged it anyway. I'm beginning to believe it doesn't make much difference as long as it's safe. I may be thinking this to death. My grandson is lobbying me hard to fire this thing up. You know how they get. Anyway, I need to remember this Mauser is not exactly a high- dollar collectible!