Using old ammunition?

[stroker-c10]

Figured this could be a good topic for discussion. I have often heard debate over using old rounds. Many say that it is still fine to use as long as it has been stored in properly, although you may experience FTF more often, whereas others often discourage using it. What is everyones opinion? I have multiple boxes of .243, .22 mag, etc ammo that is probably 20-30 years old and I have always been skeptical to fire these rounds.

 

[the tR]

if ammo was kept in a dry location, doesn't look corroded or out of shape, then use it for target practise..............

 

[_CY_]

be glad to buy all the .22 mag off of you for practice rounds.
please PM if interested in selling...

 

[Old Fart]

I can only speak for myself, but I'd shot it.
Unless of course there was a visible reason not to.
I just shot some that was 30+ years old about a week ago.
A few failed to eject, but all went bang.

 

[stroker-c10]

I had planned on going ahead and using the stuff I had. At the least, I'm sure all of it would work fine for practice rounds. All the brass appears to be in good shape. I figured I would see how everyone else felt about using rounds like that. I seemed to find a lot of opinions from both sides on the internet.

 

[44minimum]

Send it to me. I will happily shoot it up and not worry one bit about it in the process. Seems to me like the worst that could happen is you might possibly get a hang fire. I certainly wouldn't rely on it enough to stuff my daily carry gun with it however.

 

[sabot_round]

Shoot away!!!!!

 

[leadfinger]

I still have and shoot some very old 44mag ammo my dad gave me. It is about 30 years old. It looks in good shape and shoots very good. I would avoid anything that looks suspect.

 

[dennishoddy]

I found some old paper hull 12 ga rounds at a farm auction last year, and bought two boxes. Shot some trap with it and it all went off. I've been buying ammo for more than 30 years, and I've never seen shells this old.
Probably should have saved them as collectors stuff, but didn't.

 

[ldp4570]

I found some old paper hull 12 ga rounds at a farm auction last year, and bought two boxes. Shot some trap with it and it all went off. I've been buying ammo for more than 30 years, and I've never seen shells this old.
Probably should have saved them as collectors stuff, but didn't.

They still manufacture paper hulls in europe. Its what we always bought to shoot skeet and trap while I was stationed there.