Using old ammo?

[Justin3]

I usually buy new ammo at the store but I stumbled upon some old ammo that my dad had when he was younger and I was wondering if it is safe to shoot it.
Does ammo go bad or is it fine?
I think they are over 20 years old. Some pretty old shotgun shells and a bag of 308s.
I 308s are still sealed in the original green bag so I am assuming it shouldnt be harmed right?

Thanks for the help

[JC Smith]

It should be fine, Justin. I've got some old shotgun stuff I got from my dad that has the old paper hulls and it still goes bang. It doesn't pattern very well but otherwise no problems. Some of it is so old I should probably advertise it on a cartridge collector website. As to the 308s, just check for corrosion. I'm still shooting Denver .30-06 from 1943.

[CSACANNONEER]

Wait! It's not safe for you to shoot your ammo. I'm willing to dispose of it properly for you. I won't even charge you for the service. Just send it to me.


OK, if you don't feel like doing that, I'll let you know that I've seen some STUPID idiot shoot some 1918 45LC just a few years ago. The ammo was still in it's original 20 round box and worth a hell of a lot more as a collectible but, it worked fine. If stored properly, ammo is good for well over 100 years so, +20 year old ammo is still pretty new stuff.

[JoeC]

I dumped some old .45ACP reloads my grandpa gave me through my 1911. It worked just fine. Thats not to say all old ammo is fine. Check the casing for wear and tear that might degrade the quality. Any abnormalities could be potential trouble.

[tat668]

Old stuff are still OK

I just shot a bunch of my reloads that I hand loaded back in 1971. They all shot the same grouping as on my record.

Loaded up a few hundred rounds of 308 with primers from 1972, Winchester large rifle, with fresh RL15 powder and the new Hornady 178Amax and those shot sub moa out of the Remington 40XC from the same age. I date and price marked all of my reloading components, those primers were 68 cents a flat of 100. Still have a few thousands of those old primers to go before getting to the newly bought ones.

I wouldn't worry about loaded ammo, unless there are signs of deterioration on the external case surface. I used to buy surplus 4831 for $3.50/ $4.00 a pound for my 300 win mag and they shot as well as the 'new' IMR 4350 that cost almost twice as much. I guess cost was my biggest factor when I was making $1.25 an hour.

[smle-man]

Just shot off a bunch of WRA 1943 .30 carbine, no problem. Several years ago I shot off a bunch of WRA 1916 .303 ball no problem. 20 year old ammo is new in comparison!

[EBR Works]

I found some 9mm reloads that I had put together when I was 13 ('72). They have been in a non-temperature controlled environment for 37 years in an ammo can. I shot them a few weeks ago. They weren't accurate, but they all went bang.

[SickofSoCal]

It's safe son.



I shot some Super-X 30-30 the other day from 1964:

[strangerdude]

I just shot some .45 ACP my neighbor gave me, he said he's had them since the 80's(box was dated 1981) and had no problems shooting it.

[waawaaweenie]

the only problem is if it corrosive and it may screw up your barrel

clean well after shooting


your weapon, not yourself unless you feel inclined to shower

[bombadillo]

Wait! It's not safe for you to shoot your ammo. I'm willing to dispose of it properly for you. I won't even charge you for the service. Just send it to me.


OK, if you don't feel like doing that, I'll let you know that I've seen some STUPID idiot shoot some 1918 45LC just a few years ago. The ammo was still in it's original 20 round box and worth a hell of a lot more as a collectible but, it worked fine. If stored properly, ammo is good for well over 100 years so, +20 year old ammo is still pretty new stuff.

Ouch, breakin my heart with the 1918 ammo plinking!! next time post it for sale.