does ammunition expire?

[Erik88]

I was searching through some old boxes and found some .223 ammo that I'm guessing is probably 20 years old. A few of the rounds have changed colors and some look like they have leaked powder... Many of the others look fine. Out of 80 rounds only a few look bad.. Is it safe to shoot these? Other than a chance of misfire, jam, etc... My friend is a LEO and has a brand new Colt AR-15 that he said I could come shoot... thanks for the help

[TN-popo]

Yes! Send all ammo that is older than 1 year to me for proper disposal.

I provide this service for free!

Just kidding. Except for the rounds with obvious damage, you should be fine. Ammo properly stored lasts for decades.

The "leaked powder" comment makes me wonder though...old ammo shouldn't leak.

[Wingshooter]

A few of the rounds have changed colors and some look like they have leaked powder...

Maybe that's corrosion instead of leaked powder. Is it green?

[frankmako]

shoot them, i have shot ammo from before ww2 without any problems.

[1gewehr]

I have WWI dated .30-06 and .303 rounds that still shoot just fine. Storage is the key. Cool and dry storage will keep ammo stable. It sounds like your cases are corroded. Bad enough corrosion can cause case failures and is dangerous.

[Erik88]

Maybe that's corrosion instead of leaked powder. Is it green?

Yes, blueish green but only on a few rounds...

[Slasher]

Would it be safe to say if you kept your ammo in an air tight ammo can and it stayed above freezing it would be safe? I keep mine in the house but it stays by a windows so it would never get about 80 degrees but could get kind of cold at times. Just as a precaution I have thrown in the little packs of things to keep it dry, the ones you get with a new pair of shoes or a new hard drive.

[Guest 2HOW]

The short answer is NO. If kept in a moderate temp. Any ammo will keep for 20 or more years. I have seen and shot ammo from the 40s . NO ammo has no expiration date if kept dry and in a temperate climate.

[Wingshooter]

Yes, blueish green but only on a few rounds...

I think you have a few corroded rounds. I found some shotgun shells at my dad's house that were not properly stored in an old hunting jacket for decades. These things are nasty and greenish-blue on the brass. I wouldn't shoot ammo that has a lot of corrosion on the brass or is damaged.

Now, if they are just old without any damage then I wouldn't hesitate to shoot them.

[Oh Shoot]

The short answer is NO. If kept in a moderate temp. Any ammo will keep for 20 or more years. I have seen and shot ammo from the 40s . NO ammo has no expiration date if kept dry and in a temperate climate.

Here's some that probably won't last 10 years, maybe not 5.

- OS

[Garufa]

Here's some that probably won't last 10 years, maybe not 5.

- OS

Do those have the mythical expiring primers the government is now mandating?

Edited January 29, 2010 by Garufa

[Oh Shoot]

Does that have the mythical expiring primers the government is now mandating?

Yeah, but not 'cause of govt.

It's "environmentally friendly", no heavy metals in primer.

- OS

[bvarnell]

A lot of my .45 tends to expire in just a few weeks.

[setsdw]

Only time I've ever had trouble from old ammo is some ancient 303. Primer would pop and that was it. Wouldn't even unseat the bullet. It had cordite and just would not go bang. We pulled some apart and lit a few individual cordite strands with a lighter. It just smoldered. Usually that stuff burns like a firecracker fuse.

[1gewehr]

Only time I've ever had trouble from old ammo is some ancient 303. Primer would pop and that was it. Wouldn't even unseat the bullet. It had cordite and just would not go bang. We pulled some apart and lit a few individual cordite strands with a lighter. It just smoldered. Usually that stuff burns like a firecracker fuse.

Cordite is an extremely stable compound, unless exposed to high temperatures. It's basically a form of nitrocellulose (guncotton). A good amount of the .303 surplus that was sold recently had obviously been stored in a pretty hot warehouse (or in the sun).

Most gunpowder will have the same limitations. Temperature fluctuations are bad, but heat is much worse than anything else. A freezing, thawing cycle can cause powder grains to fracture which can cause uneven burning.

[Krull]

Here's some that probably won't last 10 years, maybe not 5.

- OS

Naa that stuff doesn't last a week in my household. HahahahHahahahaha

[setsdw]

Cordite is an extremely stable compound, unless exposed to high temperatures. It's basically a form of nitrocellulose (guncotton). A good amount of the .303 surplus that was sold recently had obviously been stored in a pretty hot warehouse (or in the sun).

Most gunpowder will have the same limitations. Temperature fluctuations are bad, but heat is much worse than anything else. A freezing, thawing cycle can cause powder grains to fracture which can cause uneven burning.

That's pretty interesting. You are right and usually the cordite stuff is more reliable. Also noticed that I had less residue in the barrel when it was time to clean. I think what I had was Pakistani manufacture.

[-Bristol-]

Also, storing ammo "primer up" will help.

Rimfire ammo seems to be the worst for failing to ignite properly as it ages.

[TullyMars]

Just recently fired some 50s vintage .44 special and all 89 rounds went bang with nary a problem. Also some .22 longs my dad had from the late 30s with the same results.

[Chief07]

A lot of my .45 tends to expire in just a few weeks.

It's like magic! Mine too!:D

[Currently]

A lot of my .45 tends to expire in just a few weeks.

It's like magic! Mine too!:D

Mine only expire when the firing pin hits the primer!

Is that normal?

I have fired .303 British rounds that were older than my father.

Keep the temp and humidity extremes away and fire away as long as you like.