Ammunition shelf life?

[rooster]

I was an 89 series in the army (ammo) and did a tour in Kuwait, ammo is good for a very long time. It was very dry there so moisture wasn't a concern but I saw stuff that was dated to prior to the first gulf war that was still condition code alpha (can be issued to combat units for actual combat). Heat is the enemy of some of the heavier munitions that are sealed with wax but small arms doesn't mind it. Most of the stuff that we demo'ed while I was there had lost lot integrity, odds are nothing was wrong with it but you cant take that chance. recalls for military ammo happen pretty regularly.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Caveat: "Green" ammo / lead-free primers MAY have a more finite shelf-life; as that was a concern when the stuff was fairly new. I think that they've probably got that sorted out by now but am not sure.

 

[Dave A]

You're right, the next time I go down to my bug out location I'll dig up the stash and check the labels.

(Note to BATFE, FBI and others Feds: I don't have a BOL, buried ammo or even any prepper stuff. Really, no bullsh*t.)

 

[Beowulf]

Done with a Food Saver just to see how it turned out.

Why 14 round pouches?

 

[2in1evtime]

I have 7mm mauser ammo from the 1920's and 30 06 from the 1940's and it all goes bang just fine.

 

[Jet19912]

Great to hear. My research pointed towards a 1 year shelf life, but if it shoots it shoots. It seems like it would be near impossible to have a respectable stockpile if it went bad

 

[halfmileharry]

Great to hear. My research pointed towards a 1 year shelf life, but if it shoots it shoots. It seems like it would be near impossible to have a respectable stockpile if it went bad

Take care of it and it won't go bad. Like others have said...I shoot some 70 yr old ammo. I've still got mid 40s 30.06 military and 50s .45acp that shoots as good as any ammo I could buy off the shelf and better than most you can get these days.
Keep it dry and sealed up. You'll be good to go.

 

[bulletsmith]

The military stores it in ammo cans in non-climate controlled bunkers in some of the worst weather conditions in the world. Their ammo seems to work.

This is what I have gone to. Fill a 50 cal with reloads and throw in a few descant pouches for good measure.

 

[Merk]

I have shoot some of my fathers 15-20 reloads with out issue. I wouldn't say there was particular care taken when storing them either. they were in a in climate control garage a good portion of that time.

 

[OutdoorDad]

Why 14 round pouches?

I'm betting 14 rnd magazine.

 

[M67]

Why 14 round pouches?

Suggested serving size?

 

[Dave A]

Why 14 round pouches?

13 round mags plus 1 in the tube BUT there is 1 extra round after filling the spare mag.

 

[winchester]

im guessing this 7mm mauser ammo is about 100 years old by the 4-14 mark on tag, and was un opened when i bought them. from the looks of the boxes it may have got damp at least once. about half of the wincheser stuff is bad but every remington cartridge is good and shoots just fine in my 1895 chilean mauser.

 

[mrortega]

Unless powder degrades by some chemical change over time I don't see how ammo can really go bad. The primer seals the head and the bullet is held firmly in the mouth of the case, even if not crimped.

 

[AA&E]

I've shot 40+ year old 22 WMR without a single hiccup.

 

[Flyingbrian]

Just went through a 100 rounds of 20 year old factory 223 no issues

 

[red_zr24x4]

Buddy of mine is getting ready to have a shoot em up party, he has about 1000 rds of WWII 45acp ammo that is corrosive. He wants to shoot it up so he can reload it. I'll post on how many duds we get.

 

[Drail]

If stored properly ammunition does not have a "shelf life". If not stored properly ammo can be damaged regardless of its age.

 

[migunner]

Recently shot up some 12 Gage shotgun ammo I purchased in the mid 80's. No issues at all.

 

[Jet19912]

Great to hear about shotgun ammo. At $100 for 100 rounds of 00 buck that stuff better keep!