Do shot shells expire?

Ammunition rarely go “bad”. Shotgun ammunition has a little higher risk due to not being completely air-right, and older shells may have a paper wad/shell. Any plastic shells should be a-okay to fire, provided decent storage.

How long do bullets and shotgun shells last?

Fact is, all modern ammo will last more than 10 years if it’s been stored reasonably well. Ammo companies push a conservative message, likely because they don’t want the liability if it fails to fire (and, hey, they’d like to sell more ammo… fair enough).

How long can shotgun shells be stored?

Modern, factory-loaded rounds are designed to function reliably in conditions ranging from the arctic to the tropics. Therefore as long as you prevent exposure to extreme heat, high humidity and temperature fluctuations, your ammunition can be expected to last 10 years.

Can gun ammo expire?

Ammunition doesn’t “expire” per se, but the gunpowder looses potency over time. The largest risk to shooting old ammunition isn’t a failure to fire, it’s the risk that you will actually fire the shot and it doesn’t have enough momentum to make it out the barrel.

What is the shelf life of ammo?

Ammunition isn’t a perishable good – if stored correctly, it can last almost indefinitely. Whether it was stored correctly or not is another matter. Ammunition isn’t like the still-edible 5000-year-old honey found in Egyptian tombs; ready to eat and spread on toast.

Is it OK to shoot old bullets?

Generally, yes. If factory centerfire cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. Many ballistics experts who have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems.

Does ammunition have a shelf life?

Berdan primed ammunition stored in a cool, dry place and sealed from the elements has a shelf life of a century. Boxer primed ammunition stored under similar conditions has a shelf life of 50 years.

How long is ammo good for?

Ammunition’s shelf life is largely predicated on the the conditions under which it is stored. Most manufacturers guarantee that their ammunition will last for at least a decade. That said, ammunition can easily last beyond 10 years if it is stored under ideal conditions.

Does ammo go bad?

Yes, it can, but this generally depends on storage conditions; anytime the temperature or humidity goes outside of certain ranges, the chances of misfires, hangfires and duds starts to climb, and this is part of the reason why the military keeps close track of such things.

How long does factory ammo last?

Generally speaking, manufacturers say that their ammunition is supposed to last for 10 years. However, this is just a general number that they give. There is absolutely no reason that the ammo can’t be used after 10 years, if it is stored properly.