Need some help on shelf life of centerfire ammo. I have several boxes of ammo for .35 Rem & 7mmRemMag (most factory loads but a few boxes of reloads) and these are anywhere from 5-10 years old. Any thoughts?

If it is stored in a cool, dry location - indefinitly. The military will dispose of theirs after 20 years due to the primers (so I've been told). Brass case necks will split after many years.

You asked about 5-10 years - no problem unless it has turned green or been soaked in oil.

I've fired handloads that were stored 30 years in sealed GI ammo cans, worked just fine! Have also fired 50 year old GI and commercial ammo that was good too.

LLS

quote:

Originally posted by armadillo:
If it is stored in a cool, dry location - indefinitly. The military will dispose of theirs after 20 years due to the primers (so I've been told). Brass case necks will split after many years.

You asked about 5-10 years - no problem unless it has turned green or been soaked in oil.

Good post.....actually the ammo is likely usagle regardless of the conditions it was stored in.....

While not likely it might also be fine stored in your freezer or even underwater.... Shelf life of ammo is well past twenty years and in some cases well past 80 years.

I have shot Turkish 8mm ammo that was from the 20's. Out of 300 rounds shot...not a single misfire or problem and who knows how that was stored over the nearly ninety years. That is corrosive powder yet to boot! I say with the modern powders and modern loading/good reloading methods shelf life is indefinate.

A few years back the 1945 Winchester .45 ACP was imported back to the States. I shot bunches of it and still have about a hundred rounds left.

Thank you for the replies! Very re-assuring...the answers were what I suspected...but it's funny how much more careful I am about things now that my children are getting to the age to do some centerfire shooting.

Six, a friend and I were discussing this very thing a couple days ago. He recently retired from the military and worked in munitions for 16 years. He told me the shelf life of properly stored ammo is 100 years, according to the military. I know I have shot WWII era 45 acp ammo with no ill effects. Hope this helps.
Eterry

I have been using up powder from 25 years ago. It was in my friends cellar when his house burned. It goes bang and pushes out a bullet just fine. I think black powder caused the dead on date syndrome. Other than Remington 22's I have not had any problems with old ammo. I actually have problems with new Remington 22's so take it for what it is worth. The military can't take chances with faulty ammo so the cycle their stockpiles. I have some 30-06 from the early 40's that shoots just fine.

I have fired 7x57 mauser from just after WW I. 1920s. It was awful cheap. 175 grain round nosed bullet. Shot o.k. KIcked a bit. Surplus gun, iron sights, me shooting, no one hole groups (ha, ha).

Gunsmith friend picked up one of the 1930s S&W revolvers surplus from Brazil decade back of more??? in .45 ACP. I was visiting and he was showing... he had it loaded with moon clips from WW I and ammo dated 1918. I said I would give him some newer factory. He said he wasn't worried. The ammo had been his fathers', also a gunsmith... I don't think I would bet my life, but his was a real nice neighborhood.

As said if stored in less than awful conditons, say under the bed you sleep in (have some shotgun shells that got put there and the dust bunnys haven't eaten them yet), I should be good for 100 years. If it has been soaked in water or petros or ??? steam... You can damage it. luck.

I wonder if older military brass is stronger than newer military brass, does anyone know if newer mil brass is of a lighter alloy composition? It just seems that the older brass is somehow heavier/sturdier..?