[Q-ball]

I heard from a co-worker the other day that ammunition companies are putting something in their gunpowder that makes the ammo useless in 5 years, approx.

Is there any truth in this or is he a paranoid survivalist?

 

[rocky]

never heard this. Seems very unlikely , due to the fact many hunters keep the same box of 20 for years and years. But then I can't find my tinfoil hat either.

 

[Q-ball]

But then I can't find my tinfoil hat either.

I have two, you can borrow one but I want it back! :1saufen:

 

[QKShooter]

A Thought

I would think if that were true then the ammo makers would need to have a WARNING printed on the ammo boxes or color code the ammo cartridges...or something to that effect.
If a shooter loaded a firearm with a few 5 year nearly defunct ammo rounds in combination with some hot pre "created shelf life" ammo...it would make for a very hazardous (squib type) shooting situation & the ammo makers would get Seriously Sued in court.
I would guess that absolutely can't be true.

 

[rocky]

alsoa few ammo companies load for the military too. Can't see em making 2 kinds of powders.

 

[rstickle]

When I was in the bomb disposal business I found that ammo lasts a lot longer than folks think. I once found good (black) powder in a cannon ball that was fired into Washington DC during the war of 1812! :biggrin:

 

[P95Carry]

There is little doubt there are some new powders being developed but not in any way I can believe that would ''shelf-life'' ammo! That would seem a totally untenable deal - almost as crazy a trying to put numbers on bullets!

The main thrust of development seems to be toward lower flash for handgun ammo in particular, and probably as well even cleaner burning with minimal residue etc.

True enough - old ammo can last amazingly. My oldest .303 Brit stuff was IIRC dated 1943 - so was wartime production. It is by default corrosive and used cordite but it generally works even if a slight hangfire effect. Moisture is probably ammo enemy #1 - followed perhaps by very sustained high temps over the long term.

 

[armoredman]

I have also fired very old ammo with no ill effect, and conitnue with my Mosin surplus stuff. I agree modern ammo would be required to have a warning label by lawyers, if they were indeed deliberately degrading thier product. Doubt it.

 

[JT]

I agree ammo will stay good a lot longer tham most think. But I do always rotate mine. Whenever I buy some to shoot, the new stuff goes in my “reserve” and I shoot the older stuff. I even mark all of it with the date I bought it.

Mark the boxes that is. I don't get out a sharpie and write the date on each individual round. :silly:

 

[ExSoldier]

I have some of the original Super-Vel rounds from the 1960's & they're still good. I have fired 45 from WWII and Korean era for fun and practice. But I rotate the ammo in my carry gun whenever multiple chamberings force the projectile itself to sink deeper into the casing of the round. Then it's time to get rid of the cartridge and not by firing it!

 

[KC135]

I heard from a co-worker the other day that ammunition companies are putting something in their gunpowder that makes the ammo useless in 5 years, approx.

Is there any truth in this or is he a paranoid survivalist?

I used to carry a small can of B--- S--- repellent in my truck. When someone gave me information that had that smell, I would get the can and spray myself for protection.

About 12 or 14 years ago, a similar rumor was circulated concerning primers.

 

[Q-ball]

I'm not new to combative thinking, however I am new to firearms. I've only been seriously into firearms and fighting with them in the past 5 years, so there are some stupid questions that I still ask.

 

[JT]

It’s not a stupid question. It’s a legitimate concern, brought on by some misinformation.

 

[QKShooter]

Q-ball

Your thread topic is great.
We want to quench the rumors early when they surface.
KC135 Nailed it. The BS Repellent needs to get sprayed around a bit on that one. :biggrin:
Plus we get to read about all of the OLD antique ammo & powder that folks find that is STILL AMAZINGLY GOOD! :smile:
Cartridges seem to stay viable for a really long time because the propellant is nice and safe inside its own, dry secure, environment inside that cartridge case.
I don't think I've ever shot anything older than some W.W. II Surplus pistol ammo & it was still good. I shot that up in the early 90s.
That's really sort of amazing when you think about it.

 

[hdwmson]

Hope not. Have not heard of this at all. Have shot some old ammo both in rifles and pistols. Shot good. I agree that if this happens they (the ammo people) would make a warning on the box. I have a 1 lb. can of Bullseye powder that has never been opened. It is approximately 30 to 35 years old. But I would not hesitate to load with it. Keeping it I guess as a keep sake. I read someone's thread yesterday that he changed new ammo every 6 months. If someone finds out for sure please notify.

 

[Bud White]

naw if that was true what would that hunter do who only fires one round a year he would be might p.o.ed that his 20 round box he only go 5 out of it.

Tell your buddy to take the tinfoil hat off

 

[Free American]

I make a conscious effort to rotate my stock. So the odd are that my ammo would never "expire". The one I might worry about because I don't shoot it alot is my .32. Other than that, none of my ammo sits for more than a year, and I am buying a case of .223 and .45 once a month. Now, if only my constant practice made me shoot a little better.