Scout21
Member
I've got a brick of Winchester LPP and I'd like to know their date of manufacture. Is there information out there to determine a date based off of the lot number? I looked around online and I was getting inconsistent information.
When were my Winchester primers made?
- Thread starter Scout21
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Scout21
Member
Blue box. I believe they came out with this design in the late '90's. I'm looking for a more accurate date, though.
There are several posts with Winchester prime code dates:
Western, Winchester and Olin Box Date Codes
Winchester Primer manufacture date code
Western, Winchester and Olin Box Date Codes
Winchester Primer manufacture date code
JJFitch
Member
If you're trying to determine if they're GTG. Shoot em'!
I'm shooting primers from the 60's no issues if they were stored within reason!
I'm shooting primers from the 60's no issues if they were stored within reason!
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Scout21
Member
For ammo the years are (note A, I, J, O, Q, and Z are skipped):
B - 1948 1968 1988 2008
C - 1949 1969 1989 2009
D - 1950 1970 1990 2010
E - 1951 1971 1991 2011
F - 1952 1972 1992 2012
G - 1953 1973 1993 2013
H - 1954 1974 1994 (2014)
K - 1955 1975 1995 (2015)
L - 1956 1976 1996 (2016
M - 1957 1977 1997 (2017)
N - 1958 1978 1998 (2018)
P - 1959 1979 1999 (2019)
R - 1960 1980 2000
S - 1961 1981 2001
T - 1962 1982 2002
U - 1963 1983 2003
V - 1964 1984 2004
W - 1965 1985 2005
X - 1966 1986 2006
Y - 1967 1987 2007
My lot number is SNL461G. The link doesn't seem to state which letter in the lot number to use to cross reference with the chart. Assuming that the last latter in the lot number corresponds to the date manufactured, these primers were made in 2013. Can anyone double check my work?
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Scout21
Member
I'm sure they are fine to shoot for now, but I'd like to load up some to put up for a rainy day. There's no telling how long these will be loaded for, so I'd like to use my most fresh stuff for this purpose. I'm using my oldest stuff for my active use supply.If you're trying to determine if they're GTG. Shoot em'!
I'm shooting primers from the 60's no issues if they were stored within reason!
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Scout21
Member
I simply want to use newer components for certain purposes and older components for other purposes. I wouldn't say that I'm overthinking it.
WeekendReloader
Member
From another forum...
"After Winchester stopped nickel plating primers (about 1999) the boxes changed from white background to blue background. This box has lot number XAL059G. The year (X) and month (A) equate to January 2006. Other boxes in this style have lot number indicating November 2007 (YML756G) and November 2013 (GML809). On the November 2013 box the final G in the lot number has been dropped."
Another post...
For Winchester ammo the months are:
A - January
B - February
C - March
D - April
E - May
F - June
G - July
H - August
I & J - skipped
K - September
L - October
M - November
N - December
Using the ammo letter codes above (with missing letters), SNL461G would be Year (S) Month (N). S = 2001 and N = December
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FLIGHT762
Member
I just used the box codes to find out the date of manufacture on some of the newer, blue box Winchester primers I was given recently. Using the code system in Slamfire's post. I found dates of manufacture of my Winchester blue box primers as 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2014. That seems to be correct.
Using that system for your primers, I get a manufacture date of 2001 for your primers. The First letter in the lot # code (S= 2001 for you) is the year of manufacture.
I'm still using up primers from the 50's, 60's and 70's. When stored properly, primers last many decades. Your primers are fine. They are definitely the newer Winchester blue box primers made after the very late 1990's.
Using that system for your primers, I get a manufacture date of 2001 for your primers. The First letter in the lot # code (S= 2001 for you) is the year of manufacture.
I'm still using up primers from the 50's, 60's and 70's. When stored properly, primers last many decades. Your primers are fine. They are definitely the newer Winchester blue box primers made after the very late 1990's.
Or it could be 2021. Unless the box design had changed by then.
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Scout21
Member
FLIGHT762
Member
Yes, If the O/P bought the primers in last year at a retail store, they could be 2021. If they were purchased / sourced before last year, they could be older.
I know the primers that were gifted to me were not purchased in the last 5 years or so.
I know the primers that were gifted to me were not purchased in the last 5 years or so.
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Scout21
Member
Got them on the secondary market a few weeks ago. Only cost me $40! Was a hell of a deal, all things considered.
The primer mixture in your primers is lead styphante based, and those primer compositions are very stable. I have never tried this, but removing the shellac primer coating (which would require an organic solvent) and then soaking the primer in water should dud the things out. Given the combination of solvents is unlikely, your primers are going to last a long time.
Don't store them in extreme heat, lets say in temperatures above 165 F. I found a document which claimed there are high temperature primers, and low temperature primers which dud out at high temperatures.
Percussion Primers Design Requirements. Rev A 1976
Don't store them in extreme heat, lets say in temperatures above 165 F. I found a document which claimed there are high temperature primers, and low temperature primers which dud out at high temperatures.
Percussion Primers Design Requirements. Rev A 1976
johnjohn
Member
Your storage conditions maybe "ideal", but the store you buy from may have less than ideal storage conditions.
Archie
Member
Sounds like a decent plan. One should pay attention to one's own preferences and considerations.
That said, the age of primers stored reasonably well is quite a while. (Like your kids or grandkids.)
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