So any idea on how long one can safely store ammo? I roll my own and got to wondering how long i could store some. I keep my ammo in a locked file cabinet in my garage with dessicant bags but it gets up to 95 degrees in my garage in summertime. I wont store any ammo or loading supplies in the house due to fire concerns.
How long can I store ammo?
- Thread starter Clifford
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I have shot some surplus ammo for my steyr that was headstamped 1939 with no problems. I have heard that newer noncorrosive primers have a shorter shelf life and that was more my concern. I would assume 10 years wouldnt be a problem but i just wanted some input.
janobles14
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the stuff lasts longer than you or i will be alive so long as its dry and cool(ish).
RVenick
Member
My Brother-In-Law was here over the weekend so we headed out to the range. He had some 45acp from the Koreaen War (he is 71) it shot fine.
243winxb
Member
Long Term Storage of Ammo
Brass can change over time. Some 223 i have just taken out of storage from the late 80"s and early 90's have become brittle. I was thinking its the liquid cleaner or sizing, but now its looking like the brass has aged in storage. Lake City does a test to age there ammo to see how it will hold up in future years.
Brass can change over time. Some 223 i have just taken out of storage from the late 80"s and early 90's have become brittle. I was thinking its the liquid cleaner or sizing, but now its looking like the brass has aged in storage. Lake City does a test to age there ammo to see how it will hold up in future years.
This "Chemical Solution" would seem to age the brass fast. http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/08/22/11859-ammunition-testingrigorous-process-well-worth-it/index.html No long term storage for me. Shoot the old, replace with new. Not looking forward to pulling bullet of maybe 500 to 600 rounds of 223 ammo.
243winxb
Member
New Or Fired Brass for Long Term Storage
There would be a differene in storage life between New Brass and Fired brass. This is because a lot of different chemicals are produced on burning of powder. This residue left from the chemicals will react on the brass over time. IMO
There would be a differene in storage life between New Brass and Fired brass. This is because a lot of different chemicals are produced on burning of powder. This residue left from the chemicals will react on the brass over time. IMO
The Bushmaster
Member
Clifford...How long do you plan on living? I ask because you will need to enter in your will who gets your ammunition. Properly reloaded and stored they will out live you...
SquirrelNuts
Member
I have three things to share here:
1. I worked with a man a few years ago, who worked in the S4/quartermaster shop of his unit when he was in the Army in the 1960's. He was ordered to clear out an ammo shed. The ammo was from World War I. They "cleaned it out" by firing it, and they had no misfires.
2. On page 43 of the 8th edition of "ABC's of Reloading" by Bill Chevalier, there is a discussion on primers. It discusses the problems with mercury primers, and then talks about non-mercury primers and says, "However, ammunition loaded with chlorate priming made during the Civil War is often still viable, so long as neither the powder nor the priming compound has been exposed to moisture." This book was published in 2008.
3. Keep it dry, in a temperature controlled environment, and put the ammo in your will. Make sure to include one box to a few liberal relatives.
-SquirrelNuts
1. I worked with a man a few years ago, who worked in the S4/quartermaster shop of his unit when he was in the Army in the 1960's. He was ordered to clear out an ammo shed. The ammo was from World War I. They "cleaned it out" by firing it, and they had no misfires.
2. On page 43 of the 8th edition of "ABC's of Reloading" by Bill Chevalier, there is a discussion on primers. It discusses the problems with mercury primers, and then talks about non-mercury primers and says, "However, ammunition loaded with chlorate priming made during the Civil War is often still viable, so long as neither the powder nor the priming compound has been exposed to moisture." This book was published in 2008.
3. Keep it dry, in a temperature controlled environment, and put the ammo in your will. Make sure to include one box to a few liberal relatives.
-SquirrelNuts
1KPerDay
Member
I have quite a bit of 1953 and 1954 non-corrosive .30-06 and it always goes bang.
I had quite a bit of 1970-72 5.56 ball that always went bang. Unfortunately I've nearly run out of that.
1960's era .45 ball match ammo and .30-06 match ammo always works too.
I had quite a bit of 1970-72 5.56 ball that always went bang. Unfortunately I've nearly run out of that.
1960's era .45 ball match ammo and .30-06 match ammo always works too.
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