The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What is the oldest you would consider self defense ammo still reliable?

mr bolo · June 11, 2019, 03:54 PM

I have bought new mfg 30 06 ammo from local gun stores that deteriorated so bad the cases leaked a green color and the ammo was all duds withing 20- 25 years storage inside my house

my fathers .38 was kept loaded for 30 years in a dresser and several rds were "DUDS"

just because your grandpas ammo lasted 50 years , doesnt mean your ammo will last 50 years

there is a reason the military gets rid of surplus ammo past a certain date, they also do tests and know ammo changes and may not be as reliable

I bought a bunch of surplus Guatemalan 5.56 with tarnished brass and most of it would not fire, and it was 1980's dated

I would never buy old surplus or questionable ammo of unknown history for long term storage, only buy factory fresh from a major ammo manufacturer

if you buy 20 year old ammo for stocking up, it will be 40 - 50 year old ammo by the time it ever gets used, always start off with factory new ammo for long term storage.

June 11, 2019, 03:54 PM	#10
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	I have bought new mfg 30 06 ammo from local gun stores that deteriorated so bad the cases leaked a green color and the ammo was all duds withing 20- 25 years storage inside my house my fathers .38 was kept loaded for 30 years in a dresser and several rds were "DUDS" just because your grandpas ammo lasted 50 years , doesnt mean your ammo will last 50 years there is a reason the military gets rid of surplus ammo past a certain date, they also do tests and know ammo changes and may not be as reliable I bought a bunch of surplus Guatemalan 5.56 with tarnished brass and most of it would not fire, and it was 1980's dated I would never buy old surplus or questionable ammo of unknown history for long term storage, only buy factory fresh from a major ammo manufacturer if you buy 20 year old ammo for stocking up, it will be 40 - 50 year old ammo by the time it ever gets used, always start off with factory new ammo for long term storage. Last edited by mr bolo; June 11, 2019 at 04:00 PM.