Ammo shelf life?

[CGLOCK19]

How long does ammo last, & whats the best way to store it?

[vafish]

Properly stored ammo will last longer than you will.

Properly stored means a cool dry place.

I have hand loads that have been sitting in my basement for over 20 years. They still work just fine. Milsurplus ammo 50+ years old works fine too.

[Apocalypse_Now]

Although the US government is now crushing and not surplussing them, ammo cans can still be found for sale, and I highly recommend you store your ammo in such. Your biggest enemy is moisture and the resulting brass corrosion

Aside from that, properly stored ammo will store a very, very long time

[BillS2]

I had a box of .357 mag ammo that stayed in my nightstand for over 25 years and then fired with no problem.

Bill

[robertwh]

:threadmoved:

[rat5545]

I still have old duty ammo that i shoot every now and then from when my grnadfather was a Sherrif back in the 40's.

[Z71bill]

I know ammo can be stored for decades and still be fine-

As long as it looks OK - not dented or real corroded I would shot it at the range --

But - if it is in my carry / self defense gun I want it to be fresh.

[soonerjlc]

The enemies of ammo are oil, moisture and heat. As others have pointed out, ammo storied indoors with limited humidity will stay good for decades. I have fired British 303 cordite loads stored in questionable settings that worked after 60+ years.

[gwillis6]

I recently fired 50 rounds of 9mm ammo that I purchased in 1991 for a S&W 6906 that I sold to pay rent in 1992 (Give me a break, I was 21). I just purchased a G17, my first 9mm since, and it ate it up like candy....But then again it's a Glock.

[gwillis6]

If I knew where I had hid that ammo, I would have probably sold it to buy beer. :drink:

[CGLOCK19]

There's a local store here that sells the ammo cans dirt cheap. I am wanting to buy a few thousand rounds and didnt wanna waist my money if the shelf life was only a year or two.

[kensteele]

it better last a long time. have a little stockpile going.....

[CanyonMan]

Properly stored ammo will last longer than you will.

Properly stored means a cool dry place.

I have hand loads that have been sitting in my basement for over 20 years. They still work just fine. Milsurplus ammo 50+ years old works fine too.


+1 on this information.

[banger]

25 year old .357, ain't nothing.

I shoot 1930's 30-06, no problem at all. the same for 8x57.

It all goes off, and is adequately accurate. I really wouldn't hesitate to use it in an emergency.