Armory Sponsor
Posted: 11/14/2008 1:33:55 PM EDT
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Over the past few years and especially in the few weeks leading up to the election, I purchased a lot of primers, powder, cases, and bullets.
I know that all but the powder will keep virtually indefinitely but was concerned about the powder. I have it stored in a cool, dry place but am thinking about loading as many rounds as I can in hopes of loaded ammo keeping better over the long term. Any insights? |
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Same rule applies to loaded ammo- cool dry place. I have fired ammo older then me that has had questionable storage ie: garage but dry storage- and has shot just fine.
At least my guns did not blow up and shells showed normal signs when ejected. 1943 to 49 06 ball ammo btw. Think of it, the gov stores it ammo in ware houses all over the world with questionable quality but still uses it. As long as ammo stays dry you should be ok. |
I have thought along the same lines and came to the conclusion, either way will be fine for my lifetime.  If I had to make a call though, it would seem for long term storage, a new unopened powder container would be better. My plan is load the 14k rounds in front of me then buy more powder and not open it.
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Quoted:
I don't load any more than I'm preparing to shoot. If you want to change something, it's better to have big piles of components sitting around than to have all those components loaded into ammo. Why? Shelf life is the same, and if you need it it's hard to head for the hills with your reloading setup. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't load any more than I'm preparing to shoot. If you want to change something, it's better to have big piles of components sitting around than to have all those components loaded into ammo. Why? Shelf life is the same, and if you need it it's hard to head for the hills with your reloading setup. I think he means, if he decides to try a different load he isn't stuck with thousands of rounds to use up. |
| Over time a molecular bond takes place called welding which can affect te ammunitions accuracy and consistency. It is better to shoot fresh ammunition. However there is a cure for tis "problem" which is to load the ammunition to a length .015" or so longer than anticipated and then simply seat the bullet .015" deeper prior to use. It will be fresh as a daisey then. |
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Quoted:
Over time a molecular bond takes place called welding which can affect te ammunitions accuracy and consistency. It is better to shoot fresh ammunition. However there is a cure for tis "problem" which is to load the ammunition to a length .015" or so longer than anticipated and then simply seat the bullet .015" deeper prior to use. It will be fresh as a daisey then. I would think this would take a very, very long time for the bond to happen. If it happened quick, say 10 yrs, then a lot of factory ammo on the shelf would be bad,, never seen a shelf life marked on a box of ammo. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, just not as much as thought. 'Borg |
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Quoted:
Over time a molecular bond takes place called welding which can affect te ammunitions accuracy and consistency. It is better to shoot fresh ammunition. However there is a cure for tis "problem" which is to load the ammunition to a length .015" or so longer than anticipated and then simply seat the bullet .015" deeper prior to use. It will be fresh as a daisey then. Huh? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't load any more than I'm preparing to shoot. If you want to change something, it's better to have big piles of components sitting around than to have all those components loaded into ammo. Why? Shelf life is the same, and if you need it it's hard to head for the hills with your reloading setup. It would kind of suck to need some 30-06 and have loaded all of your bullets into .308 cases. Components are more flexible, I can use 165 grain .308 bullets in several different chamberings, and IMR 4895 for just about every rifle I have. Best compromise: have most items stored as components but have a couple ammo cans filled with your head to the hills ammo. 
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