Can You Shoot Old Ammo?
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over whether or not you can shoot old
ammo or not. This question is present in the minds of many shooters who have either inherited old
ammunition or has existing stocks of older ammunition. We are going to delve into multiple considerations and variables to keep in mind as we answer this question. Without further ado, let’s talk about old ammo and whether or not you can shoot it.
What Classifies as Old Ammo?
Put plainly, old
ammo can be categorized as any non-fresh
ammunition. This is to say, ammunition which was not purchased or stored recently. Of course, terms like “recently” and “old” are ultimately subjective and up to interpretation by the individual. Some shooters will deem ammunition bought and stored last year as old while others will have no issue shooting ammunition that is decades old.
Does Ammo Go Bad?
Ammo, regardless of caliber or gauge, does not have a hard expiration date. This is to say that there is no established science prescribing a “best if used by” date for
ammunition. That being said, many manufactures claim that their ammunition has a shelf life of about 10 to 20 years if stored properly. Of course, military surplus loadings can be had which are much older and function perfectly.
Often times, these “best if used by” dates for ammunition are included more so for legal reasons and for warranty purposes. Generally speaking, if one encounters an issue with new ammunition within this range, one can often contact the manufacturer for support. This is not the case with older ammunition beyond a certain date range as manufacturers cannot guarantee the ammo was stored properly in addition to other factors.
Purchase Ammo
Proper Storage is Everything
As mentioned above, proper storage is everything. If one stores
ammunition properly and protects it from the elements, one can expect to shoot it many years after its acquisition. Proper storage procedures should ensure that ammunition is kept away from moisture and is sealed off from the elements. This is easily accomplished with desiccants and modern storage solutions such as plastic
ammo cans with o-ring seals. Additionally, one will want to ensure that cartridges are not going to be under any strain while in storage. This is to say that one should ensure that ammunition is not at risk of being crushed or damaged while stored. In short, proper ammunition storage can ensure shooters have a reliable stock of ammunition on hand for any future purposes.
Military Surplus Ammo
Of course, military surplus
ammo is worth bringing up when discussing old ammo.
Ammunition of this type was mass produced in great numbers to arm troops and build ammo stockpiles. Military surplus loadings are often quite old, with some of “younger” offerings often hailing from the 1980s and 1990s. Other offerings can be as old as World War Two or Cold War era loadings, placing some loadings easily over 50 years old.
Many bulk military surplus loadings are contained in storage solutions designed to stand the test of time. Some of these solutions, such as iconic “spam cans” and metal containers often found in crates are often sealed shut, requiring tools to open. These sealed storage solutions protect ammunition from the elements and have helped loadings of this type persist to the modern day.
Military surplus loadings have been enjoyed by shooters of all types for decades. Of course, some offerings of this type are not as common as they once were due to things such as sanctions and other import restrictions. The bottom line is that many shooters were able to effectively employ military surplus loadings for a variety of purposes, regardless of the age. The viable and usable military surplus loadings we have today are truly a testament to the merits of proper storage and optimal materials.
Inspect Ammunition Closely
One should inspect
ammunition closely before firing older loadings. By doing so, one may catch hints that the loading in question may be compromised. If ammunition is compromised, one can encounter malfunctions to catastrophic failures which can injure the shooter and damage firearms. There are a number of visual indicators which can aid shooters in determining whether or not something is wrong with a loading. While these potential outcomes can vary in severity, one should make conscious efforts to avoid potential malfunctions and safety issues.
For example, if a projectile is too far back in the casing, caused by either poor quality control, damage in transport, or improper storage, one can easily identify this issue. Of course, corrosion and rust are easily recognizable as
ammo becomes discolored. Additionally, one will want to ensure that things such as primers are intact when inspecting older ammunition. Primers can be compromised by the elements or even dislodged due to improper loading processes or as a result of damage incurred while being transported or stored improperly.
Purchase Ammo
Should I Just Buy New Ammo?
Unless supply and prices of
ammunition are deterrents, one should never write off the idea of
buying new ammo. Put plainly,
buying ammunition is never a bad idea unless exigent circumstances apply. Put simply, if one shoots old
ammo, they are depleting a portion of their stock. This depleted stock will need to be replenished if one wishes to keep shooting and prepare for future use. Because of this, many shooters adopt a practice of regular ammunition purchasing and storing. These types of practices can come in many forms. For example, shooters can elect to shoot old ammo and replace it with new ammo or
buy new ammo to shoot in the moment while the old ammo remains at home. The benefit of a practice such as this is that one will be maintaining fair levels of ammo in their personal stock. This allows a shooter to keep ample stock of ammunition on hand, allowing them to adapt to sudden changes in price and availability.
Conclusion
All in all, one can certainly shoot older
ammunition. Of course, one should be sure to do their due diligence and ensure that their ammunition in question is intact and in serviceable condition. Taking the time to inspect older loadings before firing can save shooters from frustrating malfunctions and potential harm or damage to firearms. We here at True Shot Ammo carry factory fresh ammunition in addition to reloads and military surplus ammunition in our wide range of
ammo for sale. Whether you want to
buy ammo of any of these types in individual quantities or
buy bulk ammo quantities, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
