I stopped reloading about 25 years ago but kept most of my components that I had on hand at the time. I just recently started reloading again and am not sure about the CCI primers that I have. I have about 5000 primers that were stored in an unheated garage for the past 25 years in an old briefcase. Would these primers still be good or should I dispose of them? They have gone through mild winters and cold winters. Mild summers and hot summers.

I have thought about firing a few primers to see how they work but I'm concerned that just because a few work that does not mean that all of them will be good.

I'm still loading from Grandad's stock of CCI primers from 25-30 years ago. They work just fine.

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I have thought about firing a few primers to see how they work but I'm concerned that just because a few work that does not mean that all of them will be good.

If your confidence is shaken just get a box of new primers for hunting only.....use the older ones for varminting and other recreational shooting.....I'm betting there's absolutely nothing wrong with them!

I'm betting they would be just fine!

I may be wrong here but I think the true enemy of primers is moisture. If they show no sign of corrosion I would shoot the hell out of them and then determine if they are reliable enough for big game loads.

I have been given some small rifle BR primers with 10/1973 written on them and have been popping off my 222 no misfires. I liked the price tag on them 4.97 1 K if I remember correctly.

You guys think that the component and ammunition hoarding of the last two years is something new? Well, we had a few months of lag between when the 1968 GCA was enacted and its effective date. The original 1968 GCA prohibited mail order sales of ammunition and components (such prohibition having been repealed by a Democratic administration, by the way). So everybody ordered a big supply of components during that interval in 1968 to "tide them over".

Bottom line: I still have some Herter's Small Rifle Primers (made in Japan) from 1968. They perform flawlessly, despite being stored in varying conditions, sometimes for years in non-climate controlled environments. My stock of WW-II vintage 4831 is dwindling, but it is still one of the best and most consistent performing powders I work with.

If you're really worried about whether them primers will work or not you can send them to me (all of them) and I'll check out each and every one of them, in the coming decade or so. I'm just tryin' to help...

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The original 1968 GCA prohibited mail order sales of ammunition and components (such prohibition having been repealed by a Democratic administration, by the way).

The Democrats of that era are todays Republicans...well at least most ...just ask my Dad.

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The original 1968 GCA prohibited mail order sales of ammunition and components (such prohibition having been repealed by a Democratic administration, by the way).


The Democrats of that era are todays Republicans...well at least most ...just ask my Dad.

And the Socialist/Communist of that era are today's Democrats!

I have CCI and Winchester Primers from 1990 and work just fine...

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Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:

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The original 1968 GCA prohibited mail order sales of ammunition and components (such prohibition having been repealed by a Democratic administration, by the way).


The Democrats of that era are todays Republicans...well at least most ...just ask my Dad.

And the Socialist/Communist of that era are today's Democrats!

I have CCI and Remington primers from the early 1960s and they perform as advertized. They have always been stored in the house.

Barstooler

I found 10,000 winchester large rifle primers tha I bought in 1990. They shoot just fine. Been in a box in 2 basements the whole time.