Primer Question

[Desertrat357]

I am sure this has been discussed before; but I couldn't find any posts recently. My question is this. I am planning on stocking 1000 primers per size that I use on a regular basis. How long of a shelf life can I expect? I will store them in a plastic ammo box in a cool dry place with desiccant. As long as no moisture or temperature extremes are encountered the should be good and remain reliable indefinitely?

 

[USSR]

The shelf life of properly stored primers is about the same as the shelf life of a shelf.

Don

 

[jk2008]

Yes, from what I've experienced and based on the other threads of this nature that I've read, if the primers are stored properly, they will last you decades.

 

[Desertrat357]

Excellent! That's kind of what I thought also, but wanted to get some professional opinions

 

[rcmodel]

I still have some Win LR primers I bought in 1962.
And they were old then.

Kept in a steel GI ammo can in the basement.
No desiccant necessary unless you put some water in there with them to start with when you close the lid.

Primer compound is manufactured wet, squirted in the primers like toothpaste wet, and only dried after the foil seal, anvil, and lacquer waterproofing is applied.

Typical humidity in a home won't harm them in the least.

rc

 

[blarby]

The shelf life of properly stored primers is about the same as the shelf life of a shelf.

Fantastic !

As this surge in storage becomes more pronounced, I'd just like to throw out there that should you desire a dessicant, but not the price of dessicant packs, that even a sprinkling of rice will absorb twice its volume in water at room temperature. Even if you have a moderately sealed container...this is more than sufficient. No amount of dessicants will save you from immersion, only real waterproof containers

 

[mbopp]

I was out of shooting and reloading for 25 years. When I started up again I used my existing stock of primers and powder. No issues.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yeah, they'll last for a long, long time. About the only thing that'll destroy a primer is oil. Normal house humidity won't.

 

[MADDOG]

FWIW 1000 primers in each size is rather low. Maybe you should up that number to 5000 per size.