Ammo Age

qballrail · 08-11-2011, 03:00 PM

I've read that no matter how old ammo is, so long as it stays dry, it's still good. Is this accurate? Also, if brass tips become tarnished, is this only superficial and nothign to worry about or does that indicate a bad round?

Thanks!

Not sure if you can see the difference... but its the one on the right. Should I get some brass polish? Just kidding.

koorbloh · 08-11-2011, 03:10 PM

I've shot lots of old ammo in various calibers and gauges.

none of that ammo has been "mission critical", because sometimes it doesn't go off.

qballrail · 08-11-2011, 03:14 PM

Not sure I'd want a misfire if I end up in a shootout...I want to be assured when I pull that trigger, it's going to fire as I may not have that 2nd chance. On the range, it's one thing but in a fire fight, not good. These aren't range rounds, it's my hollow-points I have clipped & ready for an emergency. So, if there's a reason to be concerned about that round, be good to know. :)

koorbloh · 08-11-2011, 03:23 PM

lol.

sorry, I was talking OLD ammo. Like stuff Granddad had.

qballrail · 08-11-2011, 03:26 PM

Oh, got it. heh!

DerBarbarian · 08-11-2011, 10:36 PM

I've always been told keep it nice n dry and it should be good to go, I have about 10,000 rounds give or take stored up and I keep them in big 50 cal sized watertight plastic containers were 2 or 3, 2 inch by 2 inch silica gel packets in them and haven't had any issues, the steel cased wolf isn't rusting so that's how I would go about storing it imo. Back on topic I've shot an array of ammo from the 40's on up and had pretty good luck with it, the only issue I had was with some of the Yugo 8mm from the 50's they were a tad iffy, but with that being said I had Egyptian 8mm Mauser from the 40's that fired every time..

deadshot2 · 08-12-2011, 06:32 AM

If you've kept the ammo dry, and it hasn't been subject to extreme heat such as being left in a car during the middle of summer in Arizona, then I wouldn't worry about it.

As for the tarnish having any effect on accuracy? On a handgun round? Not at handgun combat distances. The only concern is whether it will feed and extract when fired.

I don't obsess over ammo age. About the only consideration I give it as to age is to shoot the oldest I have first. I carry GDHP's every day but shoot most practice ammo using a Montana Gold JHP in the same weight. As a regular practice I shoot the GDHP's at least twice per year, about 100 at a time, then just replace with new.

For those that bought their SD ammo 20 years ago and haven't shot it up yet, I would worry more about my "skills" than ammo age.

JayD1981 · 08-12-2011, 10:47 AM

I've been told that ammo goes bad after 6 months. I can't confirm it but you can't be too careful. I suggest everyone send me their ammo that is older than 6 months just to be on the safe side. I will gladly properly dispose of it for you.

qballrail · 08-12-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD1981

I've been told that ammo goes bad after 6 months. I can't confirm it but you can't be too careful. I suggest everyone send me their ammo that is older than 6 months just to be on the safe side. I will gladly properly dispose of it for you.

Sure, buddy, I'll get it right to ya. What's your address? You paying shipping cost?

DerBarbarian · 08-13-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadshot2

As for the tarnish having any effect on accuracy? On a handgun round? Not at handgun combat distances. The only concern is whether it will feed and extract when fired.

If you're worried you can grease your rounds, People are known to do that they say it makes them feed better and fly better..

deadshot2 · 08-14-2011, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerBarbarian

If you're worried you can grease your rounds, People are known to do that they say it makes them feed better and fly better..

Right! Just like those old .22LR rounds we used to carry around in our jacket pockets. Of course that waxy grease NEVER picked up any dirt or pocket crap, did it?

I was amazed that we were able to actually shoot some of those rounds, looking back.

08-11-2011, 03:00 PM	#1
qballrail Gunslinger Joined: Aug 2011 From: Puget Sound Posts: 74	Ammo Age I've read that no matter how old ammo is, so long as it stays dry, it's still good. Is this accurate? Also, if brass tips become tarnished, is this only superficial and nothign to worry about or does that indicate a bad round? Thanks! Not sure if you can see the difference... but its the one on the right. Should I get some brass polish? Just kidding. Last edited by qballrail; 08-11-2011 at 03:22 PM. Reason: Added pic

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08-11-2011, 03:10 PM	#2
koorbloh Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 661	I've shot lots of old ammo in various calibers and gauges. none of that ammo has been "mission critical", because sometimes it doesn't go off.

08-11-2011, 03:14 PM	#3
qballrail Gunslinger Joined: Aug 2011 From: Puget Sound Posts: 74	Not sure I'd want a misfire if I end up in a shootout...I want to be assured when I pull that trigger, it's going to fire as I may not have that 2nd chance. On the range, it's one thing but in a fire fight, not good. These aren't range rounds, it's my hollow-points I have clipped & ready for an emergency. So, if there's a reason to be concerned about that round, be good to know. :)

08-11-2011, 03:23 PM	#4
koorbloh Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 661	lol. sorry, I was talking OLD ammo. Like stuff Granddad had.

08-11-2011, 03:26 PM	#5
qballrail Gunslinger Joined: Aug 2011 From: Puget Sound Posts: 74	Oh, got it. heh!

08-11-2011, 10:36 PM	#6
DerBarbarian Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Seattle Posts: 211	I've always been told keep it nice n dry and it should be good to go, I have about 10,000 rounds give or take stored up and I keep them in big 50 cal sized watertight plastic containers were 2 or 3, 2 inch by 2 inch silica gel packets in them and haven't had any issues, the steel cased wolf isn't rusting so that's how I would go about storing it imo. Back on topic I've shot an array of ammo from the 40's on up and had pretty good luck with it, the only issue I had was with some of the Yugo 8mm from the 50's they were a tad iffy, but with that being said I had Egyptian 8mm Mauser from the 40's that fired every time..

08-12-2011, 06:32 AM	#7
deadshot2 Marksman Joined: May 2011 From: NW Quadrant WA State Posts: 288	If you've kept the ammo dry, and it hasn't been subject to extreme heat such as being left in a car during the middle of summer in Arizona, then I wouldn't worry about it. As for the tarnish having any effect on accuracy? On a handgun round? Not at handgun combat distances. The only concern is whether it will feed and extract when fired. I don't obsess over ammo age. About the only consideration I give it as to age is to shoot the oldest I have first. I carry GDHP's every day but shoot most practice ammo using a Montana Gold JHP in the same weight. As a regular practice I shoot the GDHP's at least twice per year, about 100 at a time, then just replace with new. For those that bought their SD ammo 20 years ago and haven't shot it up yet, I would worry more about my "skills" than ammo age.

08-12-2011, 10:47 AM	#8
JayD1981 Rifleman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Richland, WA Posts: 150	I've been told that ammo goes bad after 6 months. I can't confirm it but you can't be too careful. I suggest everyone send me their ammo that is older than 6 months just to be on the safe side. I will gladly properly dispose of it for you.