Shelf life

[357phase]

Do shotgun shells have a shorter shelf life than center fire rifle and hand gun ammo?I know,ammo cans and keep cool and dry.Just wondering if the shot could oxidize or rust and cause the case to split.I keep most in ammo cans but no dessicant.Talking about storing for years.Thanks

 

[Regolith]

I've fired shot shells that had to of been decades old. I'd say so long as you keep 'em cool and dry, they'll be good for a long, long time.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I have some miscellaneous loose shells that my father bought in the 50's. Paper of course. Last year, out of curiosity, I took a couple of them (eley knox, made in Canada) and used them. They went off just fine and the particular smell took me back 50 years to pheasant filled corn fields in Iowa with my father and uncles. It was a wonderful few seconds. They were stored in a drawer in a basement cabinet. Nothing special as to humidity or air. The current plastic shells should last a lot longer than we will if stored reasonably.

 

[357phase]

Thanks for the replies.I figured there was no problem but had noticed a few posts where some had problems.Did a search but didn't find that much info.That was great about the aroma bringing back memories.Had that happen to me before to.

 

[Speer]

My stepdad had a bunch of birdshot in a cardboard box in his shed. Must have been out there for a good ten or fifteen years. Shot just fine.