Date of Ammo Manufacture

[jercdevil]

I have a box of 45acp hydra-shok that has to be at least 2 years old, is there any way to tell how old they are? Also how long could you safely use it?

[Captain]

Not really unless you could get that info from the factory. You'd need the lot number. With Hydra-Shoks it does matter too. They've had several modifications in the projectile since the round originally came out

[lonegunman]

I just shot up some old surplus 45 ACP from the early 1950's. It looked nasty on the outside.

100% of them went bang though.

[C.R.Sam]

How it is stored has a lot more effect than how long it is stored. Gross temperature swings, like leaving in glove compartment of black car, can spoil ammo in a year or so. Normal household temps in North America probably last just fine for fifty years or more.

Sam