Shelf life of 22 rimfire match ammo

[Dave T]

How can I find out the shelf life of Eley Tenex or Lapua Midas + ammo. I just need responses from competition shooters who use this ammo and have experience with this question please. I am mostly concerned about the lub that's on the bullets, does it go bad after a certain amount of time. Thanks for any help with this.
Dave T

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I'm curious too. Although it's not match ammo, my dad found some Winchester lightning ammo in his basement from the 1970's. The lead bullets do look 'old'. Like there's a bit of a white crusty coating on them. Probably still good for plinking.

 

[SBS]

Depending on how it is stored, the bullet lube may dry out and become rather hard. If this happens, it will tend to build up in the chamber and make rounds difficult to chamber. This old lube can be wiped off with a cloth moistened with acetone and then a thin film of new lube applied with the fingers or a cloth. I have used both Alox and Imperial sizing lube with good results. I have heard that you could soften it by wiping it with mineral oil, but have not had the occasion to try it. If the ammo has been stored in a very warm place and the lube has all dripped to the end or to one side, I don't think there is any solution other than to remove it and re-lube the bullet. I have seen more of the dried out lube on Eley products; just a personal observation that's not very scientific.

 

[10 x]

Oldest stuff I fired was about 5-10 years. Shot like new. A guy was shooting at a match beside me that was shooting 20+ year ammo (tenex). Looked like old lead but shot like a house on fire and won the match. Just shy of 600 on issf target.
Issue the ammo did give is cases split at neck or down body and sometimes where the pin hit at the rim. This happened most firings. He was concerned but had a case of the stuff and it shot too well to just destroy.
I have heard other old eley giving this problem. Lapua Ive shot has always been less than 5 years old

 

[jonbearman]

I have stuff out of the 50's that was stored correctly and still shoots fine.

 

[Outrider27]

I have stuff out of the 50's that was stored correctly and still shoots fine.

Mine dates from 1973 and also still shoots fine - got a bargain on a case.

 

[wmdron]

I have some from the 70's stored in a good place and it shoots fine, $10.95 a brick of 500. The good ole days.

 

[dickn52]

Until the lead projo turns grey, it's good to go. After the lead oxidizes, wear a mask.

 

[rkittine]

I have some from the early 90s that shoot just find.

In the 70s I was making way less than 20% of what I make today in real dollars so $10.99 then compared to 500 for $49.95 now, that I just bought is not as much as a bargain and the "good old days" as it sounds. Same thing with gasoline.

Bob

 

[Sniper338]

In short... if kept dry ita shoot 100 years later easy... ive shot some old shi7 before..