How old is too old for reloaded ammo.

[rcol317]

Question: I'm shooting a 300 RUM I had built, custom and by custom the smith built everything on the rifle except for the Lilja barrel. Action, trigger, magazines, scope bases etc. I also a custom Leupold scope with reticle designed for specific ammo I developed. Built rifle in 2006 and loaded several identical round boxes of ammo. On a recent hunt someone saw the date I loaded the ammo and said anything past 10 years is unsafe due to excessive pressure. I've been shooting reloaded ammo since early 1960's and never had an issue. I'm thinking there may be a point that I loaded to achieve specific consistent performance and with aging that may no longer be the case. Curious your thoughts.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The someone was very wrong on his assumption.

 

[M-61]

On a recent hunt someone saw the date I loaded the ammo and said anything past 10 years is unsafe due to excessive pressure.

And he said this based on his extensive research and experience?

 

[Murray Brook]

I would think that as long as it is stored properly it would be good for an indefinite period of time. . The only thing to watch for would be bullet weld. JMO

 

[rmeyerwy]

I and a friend recently purchased some rifles and ammo from an older gentleman. Some of the ammo was dated 1985-1995 ( reloads ) I had some in 22-250 and friend had 222 we have both shot most of them up and had no issues, never even gave it a thought, I mean nothing can get in, nothing can get out...

 

[markm87]

As long as the case is intact, no worries. Maybe after 75 years, I might pull some ammo down.

The only ammo problem I ever saw was some .223 I gave to a guy who had a swamp cooler. The brass had deteriorated to the point where necks weren't holding the bullet.

 

[Zero333]

If you used Virgin brass then it will be good for at least 50 years.... If the brass has been previously reloaded and has some powder residue inside, then test a dozen and inspect for thinning of the neck / shoulder junction.

 

[Webster]

Question: I'm shooting a 300 RUM I had built, custom and by custom the smith built everything on the rifle except for the Lilja barrel. Action, trigger, magazines, scope bases etc. I also a custom Leupold scope with reticle designed for specific ammo I developed. Built rifle in 2006 and loaded several identical round boxes of ammo. On a recent hunt someone saw the date I loaded the ammo and said anything past 10 years is unsafe due to excessive pressure. I've been shooting reloaded ammo since early 1960's and never had an issue. I'm thinking there may be a point that I loaded to achieve specific consistent performance and with aging that may no longer be the case. Curious your thoughts.

Fire a couple and you will know. Why would you think old ammo gave higher pressure? I was in the Army 1963-1966. When we went to the range it was standard procedure to give us the oldest ammo first. We shot ammo well over ten years old. The ammo cans are dated.

 

[dantiff2]

I can’t even begin to tell you how many 1942 head stamped 8mm Mauser I shot years ago that was surplus bargain stuff from a sporting goods store in the early 2000’s. Shot minute of man Never a problem.

 

[cmysix]

.30-06 ammo my father reloaded in the 60's Primer pockets screwed up, so I shoot and scrap the brass, they all have went bang hold good groups at 100{I use them for sighting in} 1 moa, no welded necks ether, how could this be?

 

[RegionRat]

I have shot too much surplus where the majority was from the Korean War and then NATO surplus that was from the 60s and 70s to say there is a hard expiration date.

That said, I have seen ammo that was bad in less than 5 years too.

The surplus ammo was made to specifications of various eras. Some commercial ammo is made to good specifications and some is not.

Storage conditions play a large role in the outcome as well.

I served on many DoD committees including the packaging specifications. I also was involved in several investigations on many types of ammo and ordinance issues. You can find examples of both good and bad outcomes.

The specifications of the materials and assembly and the storage conditions determine the outcome, and the answer can be as varied and wide in both being short or long. YMMV.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I bought a rifle from an old friend before he passed last year. It came with a box of his reloads dated 11/2004. 4 had been fired, I shot 5 of them to zero and have now killed 2 doe. I have 9 shells left and hope to kill deer with them for a few more years.

 

[Camper]

When I joined the army in 88 the drill sergeant said that they planned 8 years in advance with ammunition. One of the few specific statements I can recall. I know grenades have a very long shelf life. I still have thousands of 9mm that are 12 years old and no issues.

 

[PhilC]

Have a bunch of 7RM hunting ammo I made in the late 80s I wouldn't think twice about using.

 

[rcol317]

Thanks for all the great input. That was my thoughts, I did pull one bullet and seemed fine with no issue or difficulty. Ammo always stored in climate controlled environment. Am still shooting older powder I bought in early 1960's and have never had an issue. I'm thinking I'm good to go.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

I often shoot surplus ammo that is 60+ years old in some of my older toys and have not had any problems with pressure.

 

[dbaird]

Question: I'm shooting a 300 RUM I had built, custom and by custom the smith built everything on the rifle except for the Lilja barrel. Action, trigger, magazines, scope bases etc. I also a custom Leupold scope with reticle designed for specific ammo I developed. Built rifle in 2006 and loaded several identical round boxes of ammo. On a recent hunt someone saw the date I loaded the ammo and said anything past 10 years is unsafe due to excessive pressure. I've been shooting reloaded ammo since early 1960's and never had an issue. I'm thinking there may be a point that I loaded to achieve specific consistent performance and with aging that may no longer be the case. Curious your thoughts.

Have shot many pistol rounds 40+ years old and they shot great-rifle ammo 35+ years did fine. If stored properly it would probably be good after 100 years.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Only thing I've ran into on ammo that had been loaded for decades is I've seen some of the brass split at the necks. Not sure how it does that just sitting but I've seen it on some reloaded and have also seen it on some old Remington factory ammo I had.

 

[Homerange]

Only thing I've ran into on ammo that had been loaded for decades is I've seen some of the brass split at the necks. Not sure how it does that just sitting but I've seen it on some reloaded and have also seen it on some old Remington factory ammo I had.

Cold weld.
Not uncommon for very old ammo.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Cold weld.
Not uncommon for very old ammo.

The cold weld caused the necks to split from just sitting? I figured the brass hardened with age and split do to neck tension. It was split without even shooting it.