When is "old ammo" too old?
I hope this is not a dumb question but how old is too old when it comes to ammo? I am clearing up my Dad's estate and have come across some old shotgun shells (paper cases, lead shot, old!) and some 9mm, .22, & .45 stuff that is probably 20 - 35 years old. I do not necessarily want to sell it but I'm not sure how to dispose of the old shotgun shells. In the case of the handgun stuff, is there any downside to using it? What happens when ammo gets old? Thanks.
0
-
As long as it is not badly corroded or in the case of paper shotshells deteriorated, the best way to dispose of ammo is to ship it to me to shoot for you. Really, as long as it looks ok it should shoot ok. I am currently shooting 1943 8mm mauser ammo and it is fine.
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?0 -
IF PROPERLY STORED, AMMO WILL LAST ALMOST FOREVER. MOST WWll AMMO IS STILL GOOD AND THATS 60+ YEARS OLD. PRIMERS ARE USUALY THE FIRST TO GO, YOU'LL START TO GET MIS OR HANGFIRES OR SQUIB LOADS. 0 -
If those old shotgun shells are still in the box, they could be worth some money. 0 -
I shoot old paper shells whenever I can find them. They'll outshoot just about any load you can find. And they reload real well.
Griggs also has good advice. They could fetch some good cash.0 -
if ya want to dispose of the paper shells just drop um in some water. poof they dont work 0 -
Gunpowder eventually goes bad too and the pressures will change. Try a few rounds, you can almost always just use it for practice.
The local gunshop in my neck of the woods gets ammo from local police departments when people turn it in, and directly from people who no longer know what to do with it. Try that if that makes sense to you.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
I've known folks who've shot off WW ONE ammo with no ill effects...
Iraqi: "Is it true that only 13% of American kids can find Iraq on a map?"
American reporter: "Yes, but all 13% are Marines"
"I think life should be more like TV. All of life's problems ought to be solved within 30 minutes with simple homilies. All our desires should be instantly gratified. Women should always wear tight clothes, and men should carry powerful handguns. Of course, if life was really like that, what would we watch on TV?"
- Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes)0 -
Water only works as long as the shells are in it-dry them out and they will shoot. Powder makers store powder in water-Hodgdon has some Civil War powder in water in a display. The primers will work also after drying.
To properly dispose of the shells (assuming they're not worth some money to a collector); contact your local household hazardous waste facility and ask them when you can bring them on down. They contain lead, arsenic and other trace metals that can harm pets & people if you throw them out back.
If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!0 -
I appreciate all the replies to my original post. Based on the information supplied, my daughter & I went out and "test fired" a selection of the ammo in question. In spite being at least 30-50 years old, all rounds fired cleanly. To all the good folks who kindly offered to help me "dispose" of this ammo by pushing it through their own barrels, while I appreciate the offers, I think I'll hold onto it since apparently, if stored properly, the ammo in question is quite servicable. Thanks again. 0 -
Just to add to points made by 505 and chunk, .56-50 Spencer ammo loaded in the 1860s for the Civil War often still shoots! BP shells are more dependable than smokeless. Smokeless loads from 1886 - 1940 have the highest failure rate because the powders were not as stable, but still, if properly stored, many are still perfectly good. Another issue is brass failure, partly from chemicals leaching from the powders over time. However, any ammo made in the past 35 years and properly stored should shoot just fine. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments