does rimfire ammo go bad?

[savasyn]

My dad has an old .22 Magnum Derringer that he hasn't fired in probably 25 years. He still has some ammo for it though. Does rimfire go bad? I know center fire can last for a very long time but I have no idea if rimfire is the same way.

While I'm at it, can you safely fire .22 long rifle through a .22 Magnum gun like this one?

Thanks!

[COILSPRING]

Becomes less dependable....

I'm guessing that it is a High Standard derringer... Rimfire ammo can last a very long time. The humidity of where the ammo was stored will have a lot to do with the dependability of the old rimfire ammo. I had a handfull of .22 long rifle ammo in a bathroom drawer for about 15 years, about one third failed to fire. I've also fired bricks of .22 target ammo from the 60's which pretty much all worked. I love the smell of the old propellants, it takes me back to my childhood. I wouldn't use the old stuff for self-defense, but it is certainly still good range fodder... Lastly, no you cannot shoot .22 long rifle out of your .22 Magnum as the chamber dimensions are not the same.... Have fun with your derringer!
Coilspring

[VegasND]

Last week I fired some .22 rimfire ammo that I bought at Montgomery Ward almost 30 years ago. I came across 2 bricks that had been packed in a .50 cal ammo can I'd not opened for some years. It fired and functioned just fine in a 10/22 and a Beretta 21A. As suggested above, I'd not use it for defense, but I'm going to shoot it up. I think I bought about half-a-dozen bricks at $5 each in Klamath Falls, OR so this stuff has traveled through 3 states with me and been in temperatures below freezing to over 100 degrees F.

[mecam]

Last week I fired some .22 rimfire ammo that I bought at Montgomery Ward almost 30 years ago.

Montgomery Ward used to sell ammo? How about Sears?

[VegasND]

Sears used to have a complete line of firearms, all made by other manufacturers and labelled Ted Williams. Now stop, you're reminding me how old I am!

[savasyn]

I just posted some pictures of it at the following link, if you'd like to see the pistol.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=75040

[fairfaxjim]

Montgomery Ward used to sell ammo? How about Sears?

EVERYBODY used to sell BOTH guns and ammo. .22 ammo could be purchased just about anywhere. Hardware stores, dept. stores, you name it. People were't afraid of their shadow's and politically correct hadn't been invented. I used to take my .22 to high school and shoot it at the ROTC armory range. How many high schools have ranges now?

Wow, progress really sucks!

[savasyn]

yeah but we are safer now, right???


NOT!!!!