How do you age/date primers?

[Steve H]

I have two bricks of Federal Gold Medal Small Pistol Match Primers #GM 100M. One brick is a white box and on Brick is a red/rust color. Is there a difference in age or quality?

 

[Walkalong]

I have a box identical to the one on the left. It is around 10 or 12 years old. I don't know if the other style box is newer or older.

Whoops, mine are small rifle (205M), but the time frame should be the same.

 

[Steve H]

I emailed Federal and received this answer.................

The white box is identifiable: May, 2002- white box

The rust color box may be Jan, 1987.

I just bought the rust box from Midway (delivered via UPS today). How/why would they be selling primers that old?

 

[Walkalong]

I guess since stock is so low, everyone is peaking in every corner of the warehouse. I wouldn't fret, they will be fine. I have primers older than that.

 

[loadedround]

I have posted previously that I have loaded and shot both pistol and rifle primers over 20 years old with a zero failure rate. I just used them for target/plinking loads and not for hunting or SD loads.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

If they've been stored properly, the'll be fine. He's almost out but my dad still loads with powder and primers older than I am(35).

Proper storage is the key.

 

[Steve H]

I'm not worried about older primers that I HAVE stored. I have others that I bought 20 years ago and have no problem with them. My question/problem is, these were just purchased from Midway USA last week. Why would they be selling 20+ year old primers and how were they stored?

 

[Steve H]

I emailed a pic of the lot number to Federal on the primers on the "rust" colored box. They now claim that the 7 I see is really a Z. That changes the whole thing by about 21 years.

 

[rfwobbly]

Never date primers under the age of 18 or the law will get you.