Old rimfire ammo

[7.62user]

I want to try different brand rimfire ammo. Can't find any. So I borrowed some from my dad. Some of it 15-20 years old. I know center fire ammo doesn't go bad in proper storage. Same for .22? I have some minor ftf in 10/22 and don't want to create another problem.

[golfish]

As long as it looks ok then it should be fine to shoot. I've shot 22lr ammo that was much older then the stuff your asking about.

[jeremiah12]

I recently shot some 50+ year old .22 LR stuff given to me from my FIL that was priced at 29 cents a box. All 500+ rounds went bang.

[870classic]

As long as it looks ok then it should be fine to shoot. I've shot 22lr ammo that was much older then the stuff your asking about.

This ^^^.
I have shot 22lr ammo manufactured from the mid 1940's through the 2000's and I have had some minor ft fire... But otherwise, no issues. (about 5 out of 20,000 rounds). Most of the ammunition was 20 years to 50 years old when fired.

Best regards,
870classic.

[The War Wagon]

I want to try different brand rimfire ammo. Can't find any. So I borrowed some from my dad. Some of it 15-20 years old.

So what about the "OLD ammo?" '50's? Pre-war? What?

[Jimi Jah]

I had some 20 year old .22's that leached out from the cases. It was white looking powder. Once cleaned off it shot ok.

[plumbum]

Yup, 20 years is nothing for ammo as long as it didn't get wet.
Not counting surplus ammo, I have stuff as old as me, and it still worked find (okay, I'm not THAT old, but still 1979 seems like a long time ago!).

[newbutold]

Old ammo shoots just fine

[AR22]

I concur..Have shot some from in atleast the 30s. Maybe a little earlier. Stored properly is the biggest factor.

[71MUSTY]

Yup, 20 years is nothing for ammo as long as it didn't get wet.
Not counting surplus ammo, I have stuff as old as me, and it still worked find (okay, I'm not THAT old, but still 1979 seems like a long time ago!).

LOL I have some Ammo that was Army Surplus when I was a kid 50ish years ago and some specialized rounds which are over 100.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Posted on the NRA website on 1 March 2020 from something relayed by a Shooting Sports USA staff member in a 1984 seminar - Is There A Shelf Life For .22 LR Ammunition?

From Calguns in 2009 - How long can u effectively store 22lr ammo

The consensus is the same as this thread; i.e., "it depends, but in general, it should still be good unless..."

[Garv]

It is useless, I will come over and dispose of it for you.
(Oh wait, we can't even do that anymore in CA, nevermind.)

I had some 20 year old stuff that was just kept in the house, no special storage.

Small amount of "age spots", otherwise looked good.

No problems.

I have about 100 rds. of ~45 year old Mohawk (precursor to Thunderturds) that I will try out next trip or two.

[ScottsBad]

As long as it looks ok then it should be fine to shoot. I've shot 22lr ammo that was much older then the stuff your asking about.

Yeah, me too. But it seems that not all old .22 is equal. If it was stored indoors or in a dry location 15-20 years is not a problem. I have a few boxes of .22 from the late 70's and early 80's. It doesn't shoot as well, but it still shoots. I prefer fresher ammo, but old rim fire usually works for me.

[Dano3467]

I noticed (generally) most of the older stuff, shoots better, & less issues, than a good portion of the new ammo today....

[7.62user]

M-77 wouldn't fire half of the time with older CCI mini mag. MKII had no issues with it. Plastic boxes turned dark orange. I'll see how 10/22 does with mini mag next week.