Guns International

Shelf Life ?

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  • Crapshoot

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Sep 23, 2009
    8
    1
    San Antonio
    Sorry if this is posted somewhere else, but I was wondering if anyone knew if factory ammo had any type of shelf life and if so how long. Is there a difference between the different types, cal.s. and brands? The reason I ask is that I want to have a rotating stock as well as an emergency stock that doesn't get used unless in case of, you guessed it, an emergency.

    Any advice would be great. thanks
    Hurley's Gold
     

    ConnRadd

    Active Member
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    1   0   0
    Aug 10, 2009
    424
    11
    Angleton, Tx
    Not sure of any shelf life, but I've heard of people shooting ammo from WWII... I do know that you want to keep it in a cool and dry place. I actually took some boxes and used my food saver. After hurricane Ike, some people didn't have power for 3 to 6 weeks. Rotating your stock is a good idea as well...
     

    navyguy

    TGT Addict
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
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    Oct 22, 2008
    2,986
    31
    DFW Keller
    As long as it is keep dry, and not exposed to extreme temperatures for extended periods it should be okay. I shot some .22 ammo that was my Dad's that was better than 40 years old. It shot perfectly. Still, since I try to shoot my defense loads every now and again to keep in practice with them and make sure they function, this forces a rotation of that group every couple of years. Marking the date on new defense ammo purchases is a good idea.
     

    M. Sage

    TGT Addict
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    Jan 21, 2009
    16,298
    21
    San Antonio
    I've got a mess of 7.62x54R from the '50s. Shoots just fine. I know of people shooting ammo nearly 100 years old without problems.

    Civil War munitions buffs sometimes kill themselves with unexploded naval ordinance. The naval-grade shells were (are) sealed better, so the powder inside is still hazardous. The fuses are usually dead, though. And this is after sitting in a battlefield in the rain and snow for 150 years.

    Store your ammo properly and it'll last longer than you or I will.
     
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