Effective life of reloads?

Sportdog · September 12, 2006, 09:24 PM

I am aware that ammunition will still fire for a long time but my question is "How long after handloading your ammuntion would YOU feel comfortable shooting them without a significant loss of performance?" I know that there are many variables but I'm just putting this out there for some opinions. Thanks guys.

rwilson452 · September 12, 2006, 09:59 PM

The functional phrase here is proper storage. Properly stored they will last a life time. Put your reloads in a mil surp ammo can with a little dessicant and put the can in a cool dry place your grandkids could use it. radical changes in heat or moisture will eventually degrade it.

Ruger4570 · September 14, 2006, 09:02 PM

In "general" they will last for as long as you keep them. I had a can of Bullesye powder someone gave me in 1960 or so, I dragged it from NY to AZ and back to NY. I finally was just going to fertilize my flowers with it but deceided to try some. It worked fine and had no special care or treatment. It was subjected to damp NY cellars to 115 degree AZ garages.

**Unclenick** · September 14, 2006, 09:09 PM

Father Frog has a good article on this subject.

Nick

silicon wolverine · September 14, 2006, 09:23 PM

I spoke to an engineer at winchester/olin one time on this very subject and he said modern smokeless powders will last over 100 years before they begin to exhibit signs of deterioration. That being said, i moost worry about the lubes used on cast bullets (mostly what i shoot) affecting the powder.

SW

keebo52 · September 15, 2006, 07:30 PM

I'm shooting reloads that I loaded in the 80s. They shoot as well as the day they were loaded. The funny thing is that I have occasional misfires from some factory 22 rimfire ammo that was stored with these reloads. Go figure.....

gary2905 · September 15, 2006, 07:40 PM

Still shooting 30-06 that I reloaded as a kid with the old "pound in the case with a wood mallet" Lee loader in 1966.
I pull out 5 or 10 every couple of years and fire them off for grins and just to see how it goes. So far-so good.No misfires yet. 40 years and counting

VaFisher · September 16, 2006, 06:26 AM

You may want to vacum pack any that you will be storing for a extra long time frame.

bjmanersr · September 16, 2006, 07:40 PM

They were lead and all 50 fired-go figure

carpfisher · September 18, 2006, 02:41 PM

We are still shooting WWII/Korea vintage delinked ammo from CMP.

amamnn · September 18, 2006, 05:51 PM

If you talk to Winchester concerning their personal defense ammo, the advise you to shoot it up in a year and buy more. If you talk to them about components they make, those last a lifetime. Could it be that sales concerns are uppermost in their minds? naaaaaaaaaah

armedandsafe · September 18, 2006, 07:38 PM

In '98, I fired off a bunch of ammo Dad & I loaded in '48. All went BANG and centered nicely on the target.

Pops

September 12, 2006, 09:24 PM	#1
Sportdog Junior member Join Date: February 28, 2006 Location: Southwestern Michigan Posts: 369	Effective life of reloads? I am aware that ammunition will still fire for a long time but my question is "How long after handloading your ammuntion would YOU feel comfortable shooting them without a significant loss of performance?" I know that there are many variables but I'm just putting this out there for some opinions. Thanks guys.

September 12, 2006, 09:59 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Life of Reloads The functional phrase here is proper storage. Properly stored they will last a life time. Put your reloads in a mil surp ammo can with a little dessicant and put the can in a cool dry place your grandkids could use it. radical changes in heat or moisture will eventually degrade it.

September 14, 2006, 09:09 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Father Frog has a good article on this subject. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 16, 2006, 07:40 PM	#9
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	I recently found a box of 45 acp I loaded in 62 or 3 They were lead and all 50 fired-go figure __________________ B J Maner sr

September 18, 2006, 05:51 PM	#11
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	If you talk to Winchester concerning their personal defense ammo, the advise you to shoot it up in a year and buy more. If you talk to them about components they make, those last a lifetime. Could it be that sales concerns are uppermost in their minds? naaaaaaaaaah __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

September 14, 2006, 09:02 PM	#3
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	In "general" they will last for as long as you keep them. I had a can of Bullesye powder someone gave me in 1960 or so, I dragged it from NY to AZ and back to NY. I finally was just going to fertilize my flowers with it but deceided to try some. It worked fine and had no special care or treatment. It was subjected to damp NY cellars to 115 degree AZ garages.

September 14, 2006, 09:23 PM	#5
silicon wolverine Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2006 Location: South dakota Posts: 674	I spoke to an engineer at winchester/olin one time on this very subject and he said modern smokeless powders will last over 100 years before they begin to exhibit signs of deterioration. That being said, i moost worry about the lubes used on cast bullets (mostly what i shoot) affecting the powder. SW

September 15, 2006, 07:30 PM	#6
keebo52 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 244	I'm shooting reloads that I loaded in the 80s. They shoot as well as the day they were loaded. The funny thing is that I have occasional misfires from some factory 22 rimfire ammo that was stored with these reloads. Go figure.....

September 15, 2006, 07:40 PM	#7
gary2905 Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Rural-not for long- Virginia Posts: 60	Still shooting 30-06 that I reloaded as a kid with the old "pound in the case with a wood mallet" Lee loader in 1966. I pull out 5 or 10 every couple of years and fire them off for grins and just to see how it goes. So far-so good.No misfires yet. 40 years and counting

September 16, 2006, 06:26 AM	#8
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	You may want to vacum pack any that you will be storing for a extra long time frame.

September 18, 2006, 02:41 PM	#10
carpfisher Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Location: Fowlerville, MI Posts: 122	We are still shooting WWII/Korea vintage delinked ammo from CMP.

September 18, 2006, 07:38 PM	#12
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	In '98, I fired off a bunch of ammo Dad & I loaded in '48. All went BANG and centered nicely on the target. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search