Ammo in a car is not stored in a "cool and dry" environment..
be interesting to know if it was still good ?
Carry rounds
- Thread starter wingriderz
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Ammo in a car is not stored in a "cool and dry" environment..
be interesting to know if it was still good ?
THE PILGRIM
Member
When I shoot a carry gun, I start with the ammo in it.
Sometimes it's been there for a while and I usually don't know exactly how long.
I'm talking mostly 38 Special, and I don't recall any recent failures.
Then after I clean it, I reload with fresh ammo.
Sometimes it's been there for a while and I usually don't know exactly how long.
I'm talking mostly 38 Special, and I don't recall any recent failures.
Then after I clean it, I reload with fresh ammo.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Ammo in a car is not stored in a "cool and dry" environment..
be interesting to know if it was still good ?
It was all good. This was in New Orleans, so those cars got really hot.
A friend of mine loaded his Colt 1911 and put the gun away . He didn't touch it again for over 15 yrs . When he took it out again , the ammo fired just fine and the mag functioned perfectly as well . Just something to think about . Do whatever makes YOU feel comfortable though .
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A rich field for comment here. First, bullet set back from excessive chambering isn't a myth, it's established, documented fact. Just because you personally haven't seen it doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Our armorers used to have an interesting collection of rounds removed from chambers/magazines during semi-annual detail inspections. We also received bulletins of over pressure events where bullet setback was determined to be the proximate cause. It is possible that some calibers/firearm combinations are more prone to this than others.
Heat can cause powder deterioraton. How long it might take is a subject I'd rather not experience. Storing ammo in car trunks-or those dash board racks in patrol cars-can expose ammo to very high temperatures. I'e seen pictures of several shotguns-that obviously hadn't had proper maintenance for God knows how long-where the shot shell hulls had softened enough that the shells were welded into a solid mass.
Heat can cause powder deterioraton. How long it might take is a subject I'd rather not experience. Storing ammo in car trunks-or those dash board racks in patrol cars-can expose ammo to very high temperatures. I'e seen pictures of several shotguns-that obviously hadn't had proper maintenance for God knows how long-where the shot shell hulls had softened enough that the shells were welded into a solid mass.
Pef
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If are you referring to my post, perhaps "mythical" was the wrong adjective. I don't doubt it happens, which is why after I have chambered/unchamber all the rounds in a mag multiple times I'll just shoot the mag. Better to be safe than sorry. But cycling through the mag takes a looong time. That's lots of range trips , e.g., (8+1) * N, where N is the number of times I'll chamber a round.
But some people are OCD about setback, as if a single re-chambering will turn a round into a kaboom. If chambering a round only a few times makes a round dangerous, it's time to switch ammo.
Edit: After running a little experiment, I pay much more attention to setback. I try to avoid multiple rechambering.
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I have seen semi-auto pistol rounds that have the bullets pushed into the case due to repeated chamberings. It can and does happen. The degree to which it happens depends upon how well the cartridge case grips the bullet and perhaps the case has a cannelure at the base of the bullet to minimize set back. The other factor is the pistol, some pistols allow rounds to ride smoothly into the chamber, other pistols it's a bumpy and difficult journey, resulting in dings in the bullet's nose and possibly some setback. I try to avoid multiple chamberings of the same round.
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Ammo in a car is not stored in a "cool and dry" environment..
be interesting to know if it was still good ?
I have had .45 acp rounds in my pocket, go through the wash, and found after the spin. I shot them a week later, all went "bang" in a uniform manner. "Setback" is another thing. I had some 9mm S&W branded ammo maybe 35 years ago. One box had bullets you could turn in the case or push deeper into the case. Not knowing better at the time I shot it without harm, probably because of the "nature" of the 9mm chamber. Joe
xtrtsqrt11
Member
That's the biggest consideration in my opinion.
If you're worried, rotate out the chambered round and maybe the top round in the magazine.
I personally rotate once a year, but I don't over oil and the rounds have always fired fine.
Rammer Jammer
Member
Bullet setback and oil contamination are real issues.
Beyond those issues rotating ammo is unnecessary. I recently shot the five HST rounds carried in my LCR for 2‐3 years. All fired fine.
A few years ago a member on the Ruger forum reported about his SP101 falling of his tractor and not located for about a year. During that time there had been multiple snow and thaw cycles. Holster was ruined, revolver needed a little tlc nd the five rounds all fired fine.
That's enough for me to know that my carry rounds don't need to be rotated regularly.
Beyond those issues rotating ammo is unnecessary. I recently shot the five HST rounds carried in my LCR for 2‐3 years. All fired fine.
A few years ago a member on the Ruger forum reported about his SP101 falling of his tractor and not located for about a year. During that time there had been multiple snow and thaw cycles. Holster was ruined, revolver needed a little tlc nd the five rounds all fired fine.
That's enough for me to know that my carry rounds don't need to be rotated regularly.
I've been shooting regularly for 40 years, and reloading for 35 of those. I've had two "incidents" of bad ammo - overcharges - in all that time. Both were factory ammo, near double charges. The first occurred 30 years ago with Remington .44mag JSP, in my Ruger Redhawk. Had to go home to pound the case out. No harm to the gun.
The second was a little over two years ago. Winchester .38spl 110gr Silvertip, in my 637 snub. Lady at the range pounded the case out for me. No damage to the gun, but it cost Winchester 1500 new rounds to replace the whole lot number. They were nice about it - I had 1350 rounds left of the original 1500, and they replaced the entire order after I sent the 1350 back.
Handloaded probably 10,000 rounds of mixed pistol and rifle calibers so far, and never had a problem (other than accuracy while testing loads). I will carry my handloads if I think I need them.
The second was a little over two years ago. Winchester .38spl 110gr Silvertip, in my 637 snub. Lady at the range pounded the case out for me. No damage to the gun, but it cost Winchester 1500 new rounds to replace the whole lot number. They were nice about it - I had 1350 rounds left of the original 1500, and they replaced the entire order after I sent the 1350 back.
Handloaded probably 10,000 rounds of mixed pistol and rifle calibers so far, and never had a problem (other than accuracy while testing loads). I will carry my handloads if I think I need them.
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uncleted327
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I don't really worry about switching out carry ammo, it's far more durable than people think. Especially in my wheel guns. In my semi's I do rotate the top round to the bottom and check for setback or any obvious signs of wear when I clean it or empty a mag. But aside from rechambering the same round more than a few times I've never had a real concern.
Ammo in a car is not stored in a "cool and dry" environment..
be interesting to know if it was still good ?
I have a box of 30-06 handloads (after market plastic box) that has been in a tractor tool box for over 20 yrs. The 18th one fired about a year ago. There are 2 left in the box.
I remember paper shotgun shells getting wet and swelling up and had to be forced in the chamber but they still fired. I have some handloaded shotgun shells that have been in an equipment building (Mother Nature determines the humidity and temp.) since 1997 and they will still shoot. Larry
Dvan34
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I recall when we were warned against using WD 40 as it was seeping into the primers.
prplbkrr
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I had some Black Talons that I carried in my Colt 1911. Many, many chamberings, I didn't want to shoot up the defensive ammo. After 17 years I finally shot 'em up. They all lit on the first hit.
Echo40
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Bullet setback is one of those issues I don't worry about too much because it's visually evident and typically results in a failure to feed in my experience. So if a bullet starts to get setback from repeated chambering, then you'll typically be able to see it when you try to load it back into the magazine compared to the fresh round which is already in the magazine.
To date, I've only had a few cases of setback, and they were all .380 ACP cartridges in which the bullet had gotten mashed into the case due to a short stroked slide resulting in a hangup.
As for oil getting into cases and deactivating the powder, that should really only a concern if you over-lubricate your pistol, and it seems like most defensive ammo these days uses some sort of sealant around the case mouth and primer. I've gotten used to seeing ammo with a bright blue, green, or red sealant around the primer and the edges of the bullet, although it's sometimes transparent or a dull yellow which isn't as easy to see against the brass.
Besides, even if you're carrying a gun that needs a lot of lubrication to run reliably, (which is uncommon among modern pistols, but I digress) you could always seal your carry ammo around the bullet/primer with a bit of clean nail polish and not have to worry about it.
To date, I've only had a few cases of setback, and they were all .380 ACP cartridges in which the bullet had gotten mashed into the case due to a short stroked slide resulting in a hangup.
As for oil getting into cases and deactivating the powder, that should really only a concern if you over-lubricate your pistol, and it seems like most defensive ammo these days uses some sort of sealant around the case mouth and primer. I've gotten used to seeing ammo with a bright blue, green, or red sealant around the primer and the edges of the bullet, although it's sometimes transparent or a dull yellow which isn't as easy to see against the brass.
Besides, even if you're carrying a gun that needs a lot of lubrication to run reliably, (which is uncommon among modern pistols, but I digress) you could always seal your carry ammo around the bullet/primer with a bit of clean nail polish and not have to worry about it.
Pef
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Please see a quick test I did: http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/653953-setback-real-realtively-quick.html#post141189286
crankyoldlady
Member
Maybe. Maybe not. The one and only squib I have ever had was factory ammo.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I retired from law enforcement 26 years ago, right after the big media dust-up about Winchester "Black Talon" ammo. Withdrawn from the public market, sold only to LE departments or personnel at the time. Ordered a case (500 rounds) each of .45ACP, 9mm Luger, and .357 magnum at prices at or about $14 per box of 50 rounds (LE sales prices, about 28 cents per round delivered).
About 10 years ago I noticed auction sales for Black Talons bringing $3 to $4 per round, $150 to $200 per box of 50. Guess who cashed in!
I kept a couple of boxes of the .45ACP and .357 magnum. I ordered out a case of Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P. Pretty much a lifetime supply for defensive needs in my opinion.
I've been reloading ammo for 49 years so range and practice ammo is a real no-brainer for me. Cast bullets using salvaged lead, lots of brass, primers and powder, I seldom spend more than $3 per box for my range ammo needs.
When all else fails I still have a few hundred rounds of GI surplus .45ACP ball ammo (Federal 1978 production) in pristine condition. Just like the stuff that always worked for me in Vietnam 50 years ago, so I have complete confidence in it. It brought me home then so I expect it will do the same now, as long as I do my part.
In better times I always shot up my carry ammo every month at the range and loaded up with fresh ammo (50-round qualification course and the taxpayers were providing the ammo). No longer an option, even if I wanted to continue that policy. With mid-grade range ammo costing a buck per round and decent defensive ammo available only in Unobtanium, I just hope that those who would force me to defend myself will understand the lack of warning shots.
Kind of takes me back to my childhood when Grampa allowed me to take a .22 single-shot rifle and one round of .22 short out for rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional grouse. Bring home something and get another cartridge, come home empty-handed and get a lecture on waste. .22 shorts were 27 cents per box and .22 LR were 29 cents (a useless extravagance in Grampa's opinion).
My family heritage is lowland Scotland and both of my parents grew up during the Great Depression. I am not accustomed to waste or needless expense. My DNA seems to resist the urge to spend, even at a point in my life when I can afford just about anything I want.
About 10 years ago I noticed auction sales for Black Talons bringing $3 to $4 per round, $150 to $200 per box of 50. Guess who cashed in!
I kept a couple of boxes of the .45ACP and .357 magnum. I ordered out a case of Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P. Pretty much a lifetime supply for defensive needs in my opinion.
I've been reloading ammo for 49 years so range and practice ammo is a real no-brainer for me. Cast bullets using salvaged lead, lots of brass, primers and powder, I seldom spend more than $3 per box for my range ammo needs.
When all else fails I still have a few hundred rounds of GI surplus .45ACP ball ammo (Federal 1978 production) in pristine condition. Just like the stuff that always worked for me in Vietnam 50 years ago, so I have complete confidence in it. It brought me home then so I expect it will do the same now, as long as I do my part.
In better times I always shot up my carry ammo every month at the range and loaded up with fresh ammo (50-round qualification course and the taxpayers were providing the ammo). No longer an option, even if I wanted to continue that policy. With mid-grade range ammo costing a buck per round and decent defensive ammo available only in Unobtanium, I just hope that those who would force me to defend myself will understand the lack of warning shots.
Kind of takes me back to my childhood when Grampa allowed me to take a .22 single-shot rifle and one round of .22 short out for rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional grouse. Bring home something and get another cartridge, come home empty-handed and get a lecture on waste. .22 shorts were 27 cents per box and .22 LR were 29 cents (a useless extravagance in Grampa's opinion).
My family heritage is lowland Scotland and both of my parents grew up during the Great Depression. I am not accustomed to waste or needless expense. My DNA seems to resist the urge to spend, even at a point in my life when I can afford just about anything I want.
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