[Doughnutman_923]

I was just curious. No specific caliber.

But, if kept dry and in a reasonable climate, (bedroom, toolbox) how long would a box of ammo last? Say 50 rounds. Looking for quite a broad range of answers.

 

[JK-linux]

Decades if stored properly. Half a century or more if it doesn't corrode, get wet and is well sealed (both the round and the box containing the round. Ammo doesn't expire, but rather, is susceptible to environmentally imposed decay like anything else. The longer you keep it dry, dark and in a moderate temperature, the longer it will last.

 

[Fragman]

Under ideal conditions, less than a minute!

 

[allegro]

Under ideal conditions, less than a minute!

That's what I am talking about

 

[9L0ck]

:supergrin:

Under ideal conditions, less than a minute!

 

[Butch]

Under ideal conditions, less than a minute!

Yup, it all depends on how fast you can shoot.....

 

[stopatrain]

Not long around here.

 

[metro273]

^^^What you said! :supergrin:

 

[Doughnutman_923]

Under ideal conditions, less than a minute!

Nice. :rofl:

 

[emore]

I've shot a good many rounds that I personally know were around thirty years old. Mostly Federal .38 wadcutters and they appeared to be as accurate as they were back in the day. I guess if you want to store something small, the ideal method would be to load it up in a cartridge.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I'm not sure how much heat degrades ammo over time, but I swap out the ammo in my truck once per year. I've never had a problem with the rotated ammo not functioning, but I don't want to chance it.

I store my ammo in the house. I know a lot of people who store their ammo in a hot garage (Phoenix, 120+ degrees in the garage in summer), I just can't imagine that is a good idea.

 

[jack76590]

I agree ammo is generally good for decades. I have fired a bunch of WWII and Korean era 30-06 with not problems.

However, for carry ammo stored in conditions of controlled temperature and humidity, I would be inclined to assign any ammo over 20 years old to practice. Ammo stored in unknown or poor conditions are used for practice only.

I have heard reported that ammo manufacturers, who naturally want to sell ammo, state 10 years is the safest cut off point. But for me 20 year cut off for carry ammo is fine if I know storage conditions adequate and I shoot some rounds periodically and no problems.

Now ammo carried in gun I like to shoot out at least every 6 months.

 

[BroncoAZ]

There was some internet lore a couple years ago about the gun haters trying to get something added to the powder that would cause it to degrade after a number of yours, but I think that was BS.

 

[Shinesintx]

There was some internet lore a couple years ago about the gun haters trying to get something added to the powder that would cause it to degrade after a number of yours, but I think that was BS.

Dont quote me, but I think it was the primer that would only last for a certain amount of time, rendering the round useless after a while.

 

[Doughnutman_923]

I'm not sure how much heat degrades ammo over time, but I swap out the ammo in my truck once per year. I've never had a problem with the rotated ammo not functioning, but I don't want to chance it.

I store my ammo in the house. I know a lot of people who store their ammo in a hot garage (Phoenix, 120+ degrees in the garage in summer), I just can't imagine that is a good idea.

I've shot a good many rounds that I personally know were around thirty years old. Mostly Federal .38 wadcutters and they appeared to be as accurate as they were back in the day. I guess if you want to store something small, the ideal method would be to load it up in a cartridge.

Wow that's old stuff!

 

[TACC GLOCK]

I have shot som pistol ammo that was 20 years old with no problems, all of it was commercial mfg, not reloads.

 

[uc1twinbee]

Last year I shot some ammo that my Father bought in 1950 for his S&W 32 Long revolver. Dad died in 1952 and I kept it in a ammo can. Both boxes shot just fine.

 

[emore]

Last year I shot some ammo that my Father bought in 1950 for his S&W 32 Long revolver. Dad died in 1952 and I kept it in a ammo can. Both boxes shot just fine.

Now, THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!!!

 

[Foxtrotx1]

When I got my M1A to range for the first time last year, the first 80 rounds down the pipe had a nato headstamp and were marked 1967. Vietnam surplus baby!

 

[RyanBDawg]

If store properly without allowing moisture or anything like that come into contact with the ammo, it could probably last indefinitely..