I've always wondered how long bullets will last. I'm sure different conditions will make a difference so what about in a safe? 5years, 10, in defiantly? Is there a unwritten rule? If their 10 years old get new ones?
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Thanks
How long will bullets last?
- Thread starter Ikeepitcold
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Eberle
Veteran member
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
I vacuum seal the bags and put then in sealed ammo cans. I hope they will last a while because I have some SHTF ammo that I am counting on lasting.
win264
Member
- Feb 17, 2014
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I've had some bullets leftover after working up loads that I didn't like but didn't want to throw them away and just kept them.....for years with no signs of deteriorating I would think if you keep them dry and out of the elements I don't see why they would last indefinitely.
Fink
Veteran member
I keep mine stored in a dry area that has a constant temperature, and don't see any ill effects after several years.
Years ago, I shot some .270 bullets that my grandpa gave me. They were probably 25 years old, and they just smoked a little out of the barrel.
Years ago, I shot some .270 bullets that my grandpa gave me. They were probably 25 years old, and they just smoked a little out of the barrel.
NDHunter
Veteran member
I've got some old bullets from my grandpa and they've got to be 30-40 years old in random calibers that I don't have. Is it ok to just throw them in the garbage or is there a certain way you should dispose them?
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Well guys...it depends. Powder and primers don't like moisture and excessive heat. Given that most ammunition is pretty well sealed, excessive heat will cause problems if exposure is long term. Shotgun ammo is way less resistant.
I have shot military surplus ammunition that was over 50 years old. Military ammo is made to very strict specs for environment protection and does well long term. I know people who have shot WWII stuff that shot well. You just have to remember on ammo loaded before 1950 the priming was probably corrosive and can damage barrels. In the 60s my Dad and some buddies bought a lot of surplus .22 rimfire from the 40's. Lots of it wouldn't go boom. Rimfire seems a lot more prone to misfires as it gets older.
Store your ammunition in a cool, dry place and it will likely outlive you! Vacuum bagging is a great idea.
Fink...the smoking was probably caused by the powder. Lots of the older powder smoked more than the stuff does today. Yes even smokeless smokes a little!!
I have shot military surplus ammunition that was over 50 years old. Military ammo is made to very strict specs for environment protection and does well long term. I know people who have shot WWII stuff that shot well. You just have to remember on ammo loaded before 1950 the priming was probably corrosive and can damage barrels. In the 60s my Dad and some buddies bought a lot of surplus .22 rimfire from the 40's. Lots of it wouldn't go boom. Rimfire seems a lot more prone to misfires as it gets older.
Store your ammunition in a cool, dry place and it will likely outlive you! Vacuum bagging is a great idea.
Fink...the smoking was probably caused by the powder. Lots of the older powder smoked more than the stuff does today. Yes even smokeless smokes a little!!
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
If you have a local shooting club, contact them. You might have some that could have collector value.
packer58
Very Active Member
I was going through some of my .22 rim fire ammo the other day and found a couple bricks of 1983 vintage Wildcats @ $.89 per box no less. They shot just fine, however I keep them in a big ammo can that is sealed. I think powders will degrade over the years but to what extent I have no clue. Personally I store most of my ammo in MTM boxes which are then stored in a couple old ice chests that sorta kinda provides the climate control. So far no issues !!
bdan68
Active Member
The question was about bullets but it seems most of the replies are talking about cartridges. I was going to say I think bullets will pretty much last forever. But if we're talking about loaded ammunition, well, I don't know, but I would try to not let my ammo get so old. If you can't use it within at least ten years or so, maybe you should think about selling some of your guns. 
Your correct I did say bullets but I did meant cartridges. Thanks for the clarification! Thanks for your input alsoThe question was about bullets but it seems most of the replies are talking about cartridges. I was going to say I think bullets will pretty much last forever. But if we're talking about loaded ammunition, well, I don't know, but I would try to not let my ammo get so old. If you can't use it within at least ten years or so, maybe you should think about selling some of your guns.
Fink
Veteran member
Musket Man
Veteran member
I dont have a number but I would say a long time and I have shot some I know was over 30 and it shot fine. The main thing is to keep it dry and at a somewhat constant temp.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Hey, I've got some Wildcats from the mid 80's, they shoot fine. They're stored in an unheated storage room and have been there since I purchased them. No problems with any of my old ammo. I will go to some of the plastic ammo cans (metal sweats) with the O-ring seals however. Of course we have really low humidity here in Wyoming.
woodtick
Veteran member
I've got a bunch of surplus WWII .30-06 ammo I shoot out of my grandpa's M1903 Springfield. It shoots fine!!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
You should check the headstamp for year of mfg, if it was 1945 or older, it probably has mercuric priming which can be corrosive. For safety sake, anything pre 1950, I thoroughly clean the bore after every shooting session. The fouling primer material can showup in later than 1945 ammo. I don't think it was used after 1950. The ammunition still shoots good, its the residue that's left in the barrel that can ruin it.
woodtick
Veteran member
Work2hunt
Veteran member
......I don't know the answer, but for some reason my ammo never seems to last more than 2-3 years.
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I can say that for my AR 223 ammo doesn't last for more then a year! Haha......I don't know the answer, but for some reason my ammo never seems to last more than 2-3 years