Shelf life of reloads

NCHornet · December 21, 2006, 01:14 PM

I got into reloading bigtime about 12 years ago. Mainly as a hobby and stress relief. Well I quickly accrued about 12,000 rounds in 9mm, 38, 357, 44, and 40 cal. They have been kept in a dry basement, mainly in ammo cans and Midway 50 round plastic boxes. They still shoot just fine and are as accurate as the day I first loaded them. How long can I expect for these to last? I have stopped reloading until I can shoot some of this down. I need to hook up with some shooting sports but don't of any in my area.
Thanks for your help.

nbkky71 · December 21, 2006, 02:00 PM

As long as they're stored in the proverbial "cool & dry place" they should easily last 50+ years.

You'd probably get a little more mileage using sealed ammo cans rather than the plastic boxes.

VaFisher · December 21, 2006, 05:03 PM

They should out live you and the rest of us if the are stored in a dry place.

kgpcr · December 21, 2006, 07:27 PM

I have reloads that are well over 30 yrs old and shoot like new. Kept cool and dry the ammo will last longer than we will

Buckythebrewer · December 22, 2006, 08:47 AM

Thats BULLSH**,I don't want my reloads lasting longer than ME!!!
Its just not right.

Ben Shepherd · December 22, 2006, 09:40 AM

I'm still shooting some cast bullet 30-30 loads that my great grandfather put together back in the 1950's.

Reloads will last as long as factory ammo if stored and handled correctly.

Jubal · January 16, 2007, 11:54 PM

I store my handloads in military ammo cans I expect they will last as long as any commercial rounds. Some of my handsloads were really getting a little age so I used them up I have nothing left older than 5 years old now. I cowboy action shoot try www.sassnet.com for the governing body for the sport. This is a high volume shooting sport lots of shooting say approximately 50 pistol, 50 rifle 25 shotgun a match not to mention time and rounds spent practicing. Like you I handload for stress relief supprising how quickly you can fill a 30 caliber ammo can with 38's when relieving stress.

December 21, 2006, 01:14 PM	#1
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	Shelf life of reloads I got into reloading bigtime about 12 years ago. Mainly as a hobby and stress relief. Well I quickly accrued about 12,000 rounds in 9mm, 38, 357, 44, and 40 cal. They have been kept in a dry basement, mainly in ammo cans and Midway 50 round plastic boxes. They still shoot just fine and are as accurate as the day I first loaded them. How long can I expect for these to last? I have stopped reloading until I can shoot some of this down. I need to hook up with some shooting sports but don't of any in my area. Thanks for your help. __________________ When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away!! Carry ON!! NCHornet

December 21, 2006, 07:27 PM	#4
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	I have reloads that are well over 30 yrs old and shoot like new. Kept cool and dry the ammo will last longer than we will __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

December 22, 2006, 09:40 AM	#6
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	I'm still shooting some cast bullet 30-30 loads that my great grandfather put together back in the 1950's. Reloads will last as long as factory ammo if stored and handled correctly. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 21, 2006, 02:00 PM	#2
nbkky71 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Location: Davidson, NC Posts: 417	As long as they're stored in the proverbial "cool & dry place" they should easily last 50+ years. You'd probably get a little more mileage using sealed ammo cans rather than the plastic boxes.

December 21, 2006, 05:03 PM	#3
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	They should out live you and the rest of us if the are stored in a dry place.

December 22, 2006, 08:47 AM	#5
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Thats BULLSH**,I don't want my reloads lasting longer than ME!!! Its just not right.

January 16, 2007, 11:54 PM	#7
Jubal Junior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 4	I store my handloads in military ammo cans I expect they will last as long as any commercial rounds. Some of my handsloads were really getting a little age so I used them up I have nothing left older than 5 years old now. I cowboy action shoot try www.sassnet.com for the governing body for the sport. This is a high volume shooting sport lots of shooting say approximately 50 pistol, 50 rifle 25 shotgun a match not to mention time and rounds spent practicing. Like you I handload for stress relief supprising how quickly you can fill a 30 caliber ammo can with 38's when relieving stress.