Do Bullets "Expire"?

[rockgremlin]

Found these in my parent's basement -- I think they date back to the 1960's. My dad quit hunting before I was born so these have just been laying around collecting dust.

Soooo....are they still viable?


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[Byron]

If they still work, I'd use 'em up on target practice. In fact, that's just what I did with a box of 9mm I had in the garage since '91? Took them out and shot them.

Don't know about another 30 years on top of that...better find out 'cause you don't want them blowing up in your face, huh? I'd bet they're good...they don't look corroded.

[oldno7]

Bullet weld/cold weld is a real thing in ammo.
It can happen in a short period of time depending on stored climate.(humid/dry)
Bottom line is the copper fuses to the brass, they will fire but likely create excess pressure.
Depending on how much excess pressure and condition of firearm, serious injury or death may occur.
Not really worth it.

[BruteForce]

In the early 90's, we surely used Vietnam era ammo in Desert Storm/Shield. We only had a few "fail-to-fire" rounds, but otherwise fine. Storage condition is key to ammo longevity.

[Iceaxe]

Just shoot up the old ammo and have fun. If you were target shooting in a competition your MOA might suffer slightly, but when it comes to shooting beer cans it's not a big deal. I have tens of thousands of rounds of Vietnam era 7.62 ammo I bought in the 80's for $10 a case I still blow through my SKS.

[rockgremlin]

Good range of responses here. For context, these were stored in a clean, dry part of the basement and were never moved or even touched since the late 1960's/early 1970's.

I doubt I'll use them, but it's nice to know I could fall back on them if Sombeech's Civil War actually comes to pass.

[oldno7]

In the early 90's, we surely used Vietnam era ammo in Desert Storm/Shield. We only had a few "fail-to-fire" rounds, but otherwise fine. Storage condition is key to ammo longevity.

Old military ammo--the primer pocket and case neck was coated with a shelac/laquer type mixture, sealed the cartridge.

[oldno7]

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi106.photobucket.com% 2Falbums%2Fm257%2Fjimmyboy16866%2Fbullets%2FP62002 24.jpg&hash=80ac06199699dcf50dac2370119a8b02

[oldno7]

The situation can surely be mitigated by various methods but the condition does exist in less than adequate storage.

The military is fully aware of this corrosion potential, hence the coating of necks and primer pockets.

Modern reloaders have cures figured into their regimen as well.

[Byron]

Good range of responses here. For context, these were stored in a clean, dry part of the basement and were never moved or even touched since the late 1960's/early 1970's.

I doubt I'll use them, but it's nice to know I could fall back on them if Sombeech's Civil War actually comes to pass.Whaaa?...you're not reading too good, are ya? If you're gonna shoot them, use them for target practice not when it really matters! If you're going to blow you're face up you don't want to do it when you're fighting off the zombies. :mrgreen:

Imagine that...you're down to your last bullet and you grab one of those.

[rockgremlin]

Whaaa?...you're not reading too good, are ya? If you're gonna shoot them, use them for target practice not when it really matters! If you're going to blow you face up you're don't want to do it when you're fighting off the zombies. :mrgreen:

Imagine that...you're down to your last bullet and you grab one of those.

It was a joke dude. :roll:

[Byron]

It was a joke dude. :roll:Oh no! There we go again! Funny how I say things that come off as being insulting but in reality if I said it face to face I'd be laughing my ass off, and so would you. I didn't have a crunchy face when I wrote that...on the contrary. I read your joke as such, so was mine.

I thought of looking at those boxes of "All that's left" and figured I'd be shaking my head in disbelief...like "Aw, shit!".

[jolinemelina]

Ammunition does not expire

[oldno7]

Ammunition does not expire

platinum ammunition doesn't expire...

[2065toyota]

Found these in my parent's basement -- I think they date back to the 1960's. My dad quit hunting before I was born so these have just been laying around collecting dust.

Soooo....are they still viable?


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96044

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Yes, it is expired. Send it to me and i'll dispose of it for you :naughty:

[BruteForce]

The only way ammo goes bad is it they're exposed to super humidity and moisture. Military ammo-excluded because its coated. I have shotgun shells now from 30 years ago.. always stored in my house, still good to go..