Ammunition Storage - How Long Is Too Long?

[ShotgunSteven]

What kind of shelf life do you generally consider ammunition to have? I have some thousand-round cases of Russian manufactured 7.62X39 (steel casing, non-corrosive, FMJ, hollow point) that I have had sitting around for a while. The cost of the stuff has gone up since I bought it, due to inflation and shipping. I was wondering if I should move it and just use the money to re-buy some newer stuff since I don't know when I will get through it all.

 

[Q]

hehe, kinda made me chuckle w/ the title and OP's name

 

[Born2bwire]

I've purchased and fired ammunition that was 70 years old (a few thousand rounds worth). If there's no sign of corrosion I say have at it.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I've purchased and fired ammunition that was 70 years old (a few thousand rounds worth). If there's no sign of corrosion I say have at it.

I know, I have used older military surplus ammunition as well, but I keep running across accounts of people swearing that they won't use anything older than four or five years. It just made me wonder if it all came with some expiration date stamp that was invisible except under a black light or something.

 

[Kelvrick]

You still got it in the spam can? If so, it'll probably keep for a good while longer.

I have a couple 50cal cans full of 9mm, 22lr and 12ga. I'd fill it up, throw in some fresh silica packets and just close em. They're what i consider my reserve.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
You still got it in the spam can? If so, it'll probably keep for a good while longer.

I have a couple 50cal cans full of 9mm, 22lr and 12ga. I'd fill it up, throw in some fresh silica packets and just close em. They're what i consider my reserve.

This isn't in spam cans, it's stuff they manufactured at the military factories but to "hunting specs" for the American market. Twenty rounds to the smaller individual boxes.

 

[flamingelephant]

WW2 ammo can still work fine, as long as it isn't corroded. The other thing to keep in mind is that some of the materials used for primers in the past were pretty corrosive... you have to do a good job cleaning the barrel after using some of them

 

[Zenmervolt]

The ammo for my rifle was dug out of some farmer's field in Bulgaria, date stamps on it indicate the 1960's. Still fires great. Just have to remember to clean out the rifle after shooting since it's corrosive.

Don't worry about old ammo as long as you have it somewhere that moisture can't get it.

ZV

 

[necine]

Longer then you... If you doubt its longevity store it in a food grade 5gal bucket, sealed mylar bag, with some 02 absorbers in there. It will last indefinitely

 

[Bryophyte]

I was firing 20+ year old ammo last weekend. No problems at all. Hadn't even been stored all that carefully.

 

[OFFascist]

People still use ammo that was made for the World Wars. Assuming there is no visible corrosion I'd say most ammunition would be good for atleast a century if not potentially longer.

 

[OFFascist]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I've purchased and fired ammunition that was 70 years old (a few thousand rounds worth). If there's no sign of corrosion I say have at it.

I know, I have used older military surplus ammunition as well, but I keep running across accounts of people swearing that they won't use anything older than four or five years. It just made me wonder if it all came with some expiration date stamp that was invisible except under a black light or something.

The only time I've heard of people saying stuff like that are maybe those who carry, and want to ensure that their self defense ammo is fresh so as to further minimize the risk of misfires or hangfires.

 

[0]

I bought an ammo can of .223 Lake City ammo, sealed from the CMP. When I opened the can, I found it was date coded for 1967, in bandoliers, stripper clips and all. This stuff was made for the Viet Nam war, and I found it to be perfect.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: 0
I bought an ammo can of .223 Lake City ammo, sealed from the CMP. When I opened the can, I found it was date coded for 1967, in bandoliers, stripper clips and all. This stuff was made for the Viet Nam war, and I found it to be perfect.

I got a bunch of cans of 30'06 from CMP. LC 1967, good stuff and decent price.

 

[Eli]

A very long time under the right storage conditions.

<-- doesn't know anything about guns

 

[Newbian]

It's best to keep all the ammo you can to make sure you have enough for when the zombies start heading your way.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I've purchased and fired ammunition that was 70 years old (a few thousand rounds worth). If there's no sign of corrosion I say have at it.

I know, I have used older military surplus ammunition as well, but I keep running across accounts of people swearing that they won't use anything older than four or five years. It just made me wonder if it all came with some expiration date stamp that was invisible except under a black light or something.

Bollocks. And if you're worried about water absorption, wrap the boxes in saran wrap and throw in some silica from a shoe box. Easy.

 

[compman25]

It's too old. I'll dispose of it for you.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

I fired some .30-06 rounds from WWII a few weeks ago...no problems.

 

[Oyeve]

I have some 1/4 sticks of tnt in a box in my house somewhere. Been nearly 20 years. I am afraid to look for it.