Ballistic Tip & Polymer Insert Ammo -- How Long Will They Store?

[Mike1234567]

Per the title; How long can ammo with soft polymer tips or inserts last before the polymer becomes hard and the bullets don't expand as they should?

To take all other variables from the equation lets say it's stored at 65-85 degrees F (75 degrees F average) in sealed ammo cans with plenty of dessicant (zero percent humidity).

ETA #1: This is important to me because I'm buying for long-term storage.

ETA #2: To clarify, this is ammo that uses polymer tips/inserts to prevent clogging of the hollow point and/or (supposedly) aid in bullet flight accuracy. During hydraulic shock the rubber deforms, more-or-less, as if it wasn't there. However, as the tip/insert hardens, it seems logical to me that it would hinder expansion.

ETA #3: My definitinon of "long-term" is 20 years with no noticible change in the polymer.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

One bazilion years.

 

[Mike1234567]

^^^ Just one??

 

[HGUNHNTR]

^ Yes Seriously, it will outlast you and those that come after you.

 

[rcmodel]

and the bullets don't expand as they should?

Unknown if you are asking about handgun ammo or Hornady FTX LEVERevolution® rifle ammo?

But regardless, for the most part the plastic tip is there to improve aerodynamics of the standard large hollow point behind the tip.
It will expand just as good without it, as with it.

In the case of the Hornady FTX, it is there for use in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines so a sharp bullet tip won't set off a primer in front of it.

I don't think anyone can answer how long it will last, cause it hasn't been around long enough yet to find out.

rc

 

[Mike1234567]

^ Yes Seriously, it will outlast you and those that come after you.

Ahh, okay. LOL!! And I have no doubt given my age and considering my deteriorating health.

 

[TenMillimaster]

I think you'd be ok as long as your ammo storage meets the three requirements- cool, dark, and dry. Plastics wear out with UV damage, and ozone too... but if it's just the ballistic tip, you don't really need it in the first place.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

In the case of the Hornady FTX, it is there for use in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines so a sharp bullet tip won't set off a primer in front of it.

How much of a problem has that been anyway? I never hear about rounds getting set off in the magazine.

 

[rcmodel]

No, but you never heard of anyone loading Spitzer bullets in lever-action calibers either.

Prior to the LEVERevolution® load, all factory lever-gun ammo in all calibers is been loaded with either flat-point or RNSP bullets to prevent magazine chain-fires.

rc

 

[Sam Cade]

magazine chain-fires.

I would love to see one induced. In a safe way of course.

 

[Sav .250]

"long term storage."..... How long might that be? Means different things to different people.

 

[Mike1234567]

"long term storage."..... How long might that be? Means different things to different people.

Changed the OP to answer this question... 20 years with no noticible change in the polymer.

 

[hermannr]

UV light is what causes any "plastic" to disintigate. Some items have UV bolckers to help prevent this, some do not.

As ammo is normally closed in a dark container, they probably do not have UV blockers in the formula, but then it does not really matter with ammo, as it will most likely not be exposd to sunlight until it is used. No?

I would guess that storing the plastic tipped ammo in the sun, in Southern Arizona, would cause it to die after a few years. For practical purposes, in a dark UV blocking container, the ammo should live longer than you will.

 

[scythefwd]

In some cases, that tip is used as a wedge to open up the bullet faster... it hardening up won't be an issue. At the same time, in tubular mags you want that piece to be soft in order to not set off the round in front of it... a hardened tip is deadly there to the shooter. Shot out of a box mag... your grandchildren could be shooting the ammo you bought safely if you keep it clean and dry.

 

[JShirley]

Shot out of a box mag... or cylinder...your grandchildren could be shooting the ammo you bought safely if you keep it clean and dry.

Fixed it.

 

[scythefwd]

Yeah yeah, I guess you could count the circuit judge as a gun, barely (45 lc). Not sure of any other than the 45 lc that has a cyl.. coming in a chambering that uses a polymer tipped bullet. Ohh, there is the magnum research BFR... fergot about that.