How long ammo can last for

Our advice is, treat your ammunition like wine. A bad wine will always be bad, but good wine, when stored properly, will still taste delectable no matter how long. The same applies to your ammunition. Modern ammunition is designed to have a considerably longer shelf life. This can be attributed to the propellant used in modern ammunition, a smokeless powder that can last for an indefinite length of time, as opposed to black powder in old bullets.

Proper sealing of bullets against moisture and corrosion observed in modern ammunition also plays a significant role in their better storage potential. Contrary to popular belief, non-corrosive ammunition has a shorter shelf life than its corrosive counterparts. Speculations are suggesting that newer ammunition with lead-free primer type has an expiration date of 25 years.

However, no studies have proven such claims to be valid. Full metal jackets and brass-lined ammunition are both highly resistant to lead degradation.

The copper or brass metal cartridges enclosing the soft lead core offer an added layer of protection against humidity. However, the same cannot be said of their self-defense counterpart, the jacketed hollow points. The concave lead core is exposed and can be susceptible to high humidity and drastic temperature changes. On the other hand, steel case ammunition is more prone to corrosion than its contemporaries like brass, for instance. The former, although cheaper, is less malleable, thereby creating a more flawed seal against atmospheric fumes, which may pose problems for the entry of moisture and corrosion.

On top of this, firing with steel case rounds may affect your machine guns in the long run as residues can remain along the barrel. Storing ammunition in a designated area will protect your ammo better from degradation than keeping them loaded in your concealed carry firearm. Regular exposure to the elements, excess lubrication, and the indentations of the feed ramp will undoubtedly affect their integrity. The best practice is to rotate the round in your firearm every once in a while.

This is the only way to prevent stagnancy and counteract degradation. The longevity of ammunition is minimized when they begin to corrode. For the most part, ammo is sealed. Same thing with shotgun shells. My vintage shotgun shells are all still in good shape. This post from Concealed Nation gives more information about how long ammunition will last. Please subscribe to our website YouTube channel — Thanks! I think a lot of longevity depends on how the ammo was stored.

Extremes of temperature could affect reliability. If a cartridge is correctly loaded, it should be waterproof and there should be no way for moisture to get in.

I had half a box or so of Krag, Winch and some 22 shells mostly from the mid s up into the s. There was a lone shell which I was unable to shoot. The above mentioned shells were stored in my deceased Dads old house loose in a closet. The shells were actually mine as is the sporterized Krag.. By shooting your oldest ammunition and replacing it with new purchases or reloads , you can keep all of your ammo fresh and in good condition. That way, you can easily rotate and shoot through your ammo to keep it fresh.

Then, you need to properly label and organize your rounds by date for easier access. You can also use dehumidifiers as protection against humidity. Store your cans in a cool, dark, and dry place to keep your ammunition from corroding. Never return rounds that have been exposed to moisture and external factors into your stockpile to preserve your ammo stash. Like any other ammunition type, shotgun ammo needs to be stored with tender loving care. Store your organized shotgun ammo in an airtight container.

Then keep the container in a well-ventilated, dry place, away from extreme temperature. When buying storage containers, it is also important to check if they are fireproof.

To do that, proper storage is key! All rights reserved. Skip to content Twitter Facebook Pinterest. How long can ammunition be stored? Does ammunition have a shelf life? Sale 3, Reviews. And in the same way that many gun owners invest in gun safes to store their firearms, these safes can also be used to safely store ammunition.

On top of that, ammunition isn't cheap, which is just one more reason to properly store your ammunition. Have you ever pulled a box of shells from your cache only to discover they are all but useless? Unfortunately, as ammunition travels from home to range to home and everywhere in between, it can often get ruined.

In order to store your ammunition responsibly and keep it in perfect condition, there are a couple tips every gun owner should know. So while investing in gun safes is an excellent first step, there are a few more practical steps you can take to store your ammunition.

To keep your ammo safe, you need to keep it cool, dry, and out of the sunlight.