I have a lot of older(1990-1995) ammo I saved for posterity if some of it went belly up, and some of it did. I'm wondering if it's still reliable enough to use to keep in as a self defense ammo for a "house" gun. Opinions would be appreciated. Here are photos of some of it. I especially still like CorBons 200 gr Speer bullet for the 45. Not shown are several boxes of Black Talons in 40 S&W as well as 45 Auto.
Just How Old is Good?
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Alk8944
US Veteran
That doesn't even come close to being "Old". If it has been stored in the house and hasn't been through the washer it has at least another 20-30 years before worrying about it.
If that's the case, it'll out live me.
ACP230
Member
I've shot reloads that were older than those rounds.
Also, I spilled a box of Remington Thunderbolt .22s in the glove box of my old van once. I kept forgetting to clean them out and they sat there for about four years. In winter it was sometimes 12 to 20 below. During those summers we had some 100 degree days. The ammo didn't get wet but it sure suffered through some extreme temps.
When I did clean out the ammo it all fired and was as accurate as the same type of .22s that had been stored in the house for the same length of time.
Also, I spilled a box of Remington Thunderbolt .22s in the glove box of my old van once. I kept forgetting to clean them out and they sat there for about four years. In winter it was sometimes 12 to 20 below. During those summers we had some 100 degree days. The ammo didn't get wet but it sure suffered through some extreme temps.
When I did clean out the ammo it all fired and was as accurate as the same type of .22s that had been stored in the house for the same length of time.
rburg
Member
I think you should send it all to me for proper disposal. I have a facility for the purpose. Its well maintained and has been used for years just for that purpose. Trust me. If you don't want to send it north, I have a buddy in southern Mississippi who also runs such a facility. He's very gracious in accepting all old ammo for proper disposal. 
I think you should send it all to me for proper disposal. I have a facility for the purpose. Its well maintained and has been used for years just for that purpose. Trust me. If you don't want to send it north, I have a buddy in southern Mississippi who also runs such a facility. He's very gracious in accepting all old ammo for proper disposal.
It's great to have those that can help in time of need and distress...much obliged. I'll have to chew on that one.
mike from st pete
Member
That Isn't Old
I have shot WWC 41 M2 Ball. Most of the .30'06 I shoot is way older than that. I wish I han't shot the WWC 41 because it is pre-WWII milsurp. I still have a couple of en-blocs sitting on display.
I have shot WWC 41 M2 Ball. Most of the .30'06 I shoot is way older than that. I wish I han't shot the WWC 41 because it is pre-WWII milsurp. I still have a couple of en-blocs sitting on display.
Pisgah
Member
My philosophy of ammo life -- if it is stored under conditions that are comfortable for me, it'll be virtually immortal. I sure won't live long enough to see it go bad.
cubguy
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The other day I found about 250 .38 special wadcutters that I loaded back in the late 70s or early 80s. They all shot just fine and they were stored in the garage and went through 100 plus degree summers here in S. Texas.
cgt4570
Member
The .30-06 ammo I shoot at CMP matches is 1943 Remington production. I've shot a few rounds that dated all the way back to WW1. Also squeezed off a couple WW1 .45ACP rounds once just to make sure they still worked. I'd trust my life with them! A Stevens rifle in .32 Rimfire once passed through my hands. I had a partial box of ammo that was circa 1900. It shot just fine. Also put a couple rounds of .41 Swiss Rimfire (VERY OLD) through a Vetterli once. Those rounds pre-date your ammo by 100 years!!!
Wow, cubguy...am I glad I stumbled upon your reply. I have a box of .35 Rem. that has been sitting in my father's equally hot Florida garage for the past 12 yrs. and I was just about to get rid of them.
They're JSP and the lead nose has what I can only describe as little hairs on it. It's not smooth like when new.
I might try cleaning them up & smoothing them out with some sandpaper and shoot 'em up at the range.
I have some German 8mm ammo from the mid 30s that is still surefire,
consistant and accurate.
consistant and accurate.
Faulkner
Member
I got a good deal on some surplus Remington .22 LR ammo made in the 1960's and I'm still shooting it without any issues.
ronnie gore
Member
AMMO
i shoot some 303 british regularly that was loaded in 1917 never a misfire,
also i shot an armed robber in 1978 with military 45 ball ammo head stamped 1967. as long as you keep oil away from the cartridges they will last a long time.
i shoot some 303 british regularly that was loaded in 1917 never a misfire,
also i shot an armed robber in 1978 with military 45 ball ammo head stamped 1967. as long as you keep oil away from the cartridges they will last a long time.
Why oil? What does it do to them?
That stuff ain't old. I've got several boxes of the same Federal ammo you show in the photo and it still shoots fine.
Urban legends would have you believe ammo comes with an expiration date. To which I humbly respond, "BS!"
I also doubt oil exposure will do much to ammo. Even ammo that does not have sealant at the bullet or primer would be unlikely to let oil seep in to contaminate the powder or primer mixture.
Urban legends would have you believe ammo comes with an expiration date. To which I humbly respond, "BS!"
I also doubt oil exposure will do much to ammo. Even ammo that does not have sealant at the bullet or primer would be unlikely to let oil seep in to contaminate the powder or primer mixture.
flop-shank
US Veteran
I agree. I grease the feed ramp and chamber of my Kel-tec P3AT. The self defense handloads that I keep in the gun never have trouble going bang. Sealed ammo is just extra insurance. Unless there is a fluke/manufacturing defect, or the ammo is exposed to extremes of pressure, I think normal centerfire handgun ammo is pretty much sealed from everything.
Do you think this also applies to primers and powder? Reason for asking, I have some 15 year old(about) primers I didn't know I had(CCI LP) and some AA#5 powder all kept indoors at about 45% humidity most times and never over 74 degrees.
ACP230
Member
My guess is both are fine. If you want to be sure load a primer, or two, in an empty case and see if they fire.
I just got done using up an eight pound keg of Unique that I bought when Slick Willie was polluting the White House. It worked fine.
I just got done using up an eight pound keg of Unique that I bought when Slick Willie was polluting the White House. It worked fine.
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that ammo will be fine...shoot it and have fun
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