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10/28/2008 3:43:36 PM EDT
Ok I find myself in a position of deciding to store 12-15 year old sealed battle packs and using loose packed in cans news stuff or vice versa, use the battle packs becuase they are 12-15 years old and store the new stuff. Both are generally stored in a basement -like enviroment i.e. relativly stable temp and humidit. any thoughts?
10/28/2008 6:26:19 PM EDT
[#1]
I started out saving surplus and shooting new, but after thinking about it I am reversing to storing new. I don't know how the surplus was stored. I remember the Guat that had bugs eating and shitiing all over the ammo. I want fresh made and keep it stored properly. I do shoot cheap Wolf in the Mini and am keeping a batch of M855 Radford Green that the Mini seems to like a lot.
10/28/2008 6:31:20 PM EDT
[#2]
Shoot that old stuff when you shoot and carefully store the new stuff. That way you know it was stored right.
10/29/2008 12:08:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Most ammo stored in non-freezing, non 100+ degree heat , or non-dripping wet conditions will go boom plenty fine. I shot WW1 grade 30-06 in my 03A3 all the time. Lord knows how thats stuff been stored yet still hits sub-MOA after 90 years. Keep in mind thats 1915 give or take 5 years tech, stored and used over several wars.

More risk of powder burning to hot after a long bake somewhere then moisture. Factory sealed battle packs with modern ammo make pretty good seals but if youre real worried throw you a silica packet in a 50 cal can and store it with the factory seals intact. Thats what I do for alot of my match Lake City .308 and 06 ammo saving back for my grandkids.
10/29/2008 5:17:10 PM EDT
[#4]
I'd worry about humidity. I started dumping all my WOLF ammo loose in a 50 can, hold 1,000 perfect. $5~ for the can is cheap insuriance in the long run. IMO, it'll last forever in there.

To answer your question: I don't trust plastic battle packs. Plastic will deteriate in enough tme and rats can eat through it pretty easy. I'd still dump it in a can to be safe.
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