Shotgun shells

Pems

January 20, 2003 07:52

I read a forum on centerfire shells shelf life and was just wondering..does the same hold true for shotgun sheels? How long can they be stored and still be safe to shoot. Thanks.

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  Pems

  January 20, 2003 07:52

  I have several boxes of bird shot shotgun shells and I believe they are at least 11 yrs old. I have always stored them in a gun cabinet in my house. Are they still good?

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  Iconoclast

  January 20, 2003 09:14

  Pems, I know a few folks who grab all the old paper shells they can find because the scent when fired brings back fond memories. Last summer, I picked up a large lot of US military loaded shells which came in a sealed case marked 1943; the few I tried shot just fine. Storage is even more critical because the paper is hygroscopic (SP? - tends to absorb water) despite waxy substances impregnating the tubes / overshot wads and if exposed to moisture, there is a far higher risk of poor / non ignition. Plastic shells have the mouths fused shut in factory loadings, so the risk is less, but there have been some reports of problems with steel shot loads where there was some moisture infilitration and the shot became a single rusty slug, so this sealing is certainly not 100% reliable. If cool and dry, I personally wouldn't lose any sleep if I were to buy shotshells in large quantities knowing they'd sit around a while . . . in fact, I have done so when I've encountered a no-brainer bargain.

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  bambihunter

  January 20, 2003 20:14

  I agree with Iconoclast whole-heartedly... How ammo is stored is MUCH more important than storage time.
  
  When I am waterfowling, any shell that gets dropped in the bottom of the boat in the mud and water, will get cleaned off and shot (if I can clean it moderately well). But if it isn't shot before I go home, then it gets disposed of. But I shoot ammo that I bought 10 years ago (or more) without even thinking about it.
  
  It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...

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  Matt45

  January 20, 2003 20:39

  Yep, I've got to agree with both of these gentlemen- case in point- I shoot surplus Russian 7.62X54 ammo that was made in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, with only the rare occasional misfire, (1 out of 500) and that's usually ammo I bought that did not come from a sealed carton.
  
  Most all ammo, stored in a USGI ammo can with a dessicant pack (silica gel), will be good for a lifetime, as long as the can is protected from heat and cold and the seal locks out moisture.
  
  I have one friend who takes this a step further and seals his reloaded shotgun shells with shrinkwrap after packing them in boxes, but, he's kinda anal-retentive and only reloads for shotgun every two-three years.
  
  
  
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  Old hickory

  January 21, 2003 08:24

  Pems : funny you should ask. Yesterday I shot off 20 roll-crimped Remington Nitro - Powder no 4 shot (high Base)
  All 20 went off and although I didn't chronogragh them, the kick with my heavy jacket - it was 18 degrees - was plenty. These shells were loaded around 1938 but were in excellent condition. I also fired some 1950's Super X and they were perfect. 10 years ago I shot some US cartridge Co 1917 dated 45s and 30% of those fired in my SW revolver but they had probably been around the world 3 times!!
  Nothing like the smell of fired paper Shells!!

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