Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Old Ammo Question

Would you shoot 30-40 yr old factory ammo, if it was stored in dry conditions? Prolly a dumb question to you, but consider me dumb. I appreciate answers. Thanks.

Probably not at game, but on paper yes. Unless there was a reason I thought the ammo was unsafe.

Probably not at game, but on paper yes. Unless there was a reason I thought the ammo was unsafe.

ok, Thanks a lot. That's what I needed to know.

It should be fine for game as well as long as there are no signs of corrosion, in which case it's not safe to fire at all!
It's also a good idea to put old ammo in a seater die and seat the bullet slightly deeper to break the bond that happens over time, which can raise pressures and affect accuracy.
I've shot hundreds of rounds of old factory ammo with no issues.

Great tip.

Personally, I don't consider 30-40 year old ammo to be old. 80-100 year old ammo is old. Heck I have boxes of handloads that I loaded 30 years ago and fully intend to fire them if I ever get another gun that takes them. I still view WWII surplus ammo as "shooting" ammo too.

I shot some Win. 32 Spl. last fall over the chrono. It was right on the money with factory velocity. The last I had shot any of that ammo was in 1975. I'm not sure when it was purchased, probably 2-3 years prior when I started to hunt. It was stored in the gun cabinet in a bedroom of my parents house all that time.

Dale

+1

Ammo's kinda like women, if it looks okay then go ahead, if it don't then get dressed and go home.

[quote=gnoahhh]

Personally, I don't consider 30-40 year old ammo to be old. 80-100 year old ammo is old. Heck I have boxes of handloads that I loaded 30 years ago and fully intend to fire them if I ever get another gun that takes them. I still view WWII surplus ammo as "shooting" ammo too. [/quot]

Ditto.