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Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:15 pm
by Pecos
Im not sure if this was addresses so,Mods feel free to lock is needed.
Im just wondering. I have Hornaday Critical Duty in 9mm & SW40. I dont shoot these expensive jewels.
As a rule of thumb is there a limit on time I can keep these in my gun & Magizines? Does ammo go bad or stale?
Advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. :confused5

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:38 pm
by Pecos
I shot some of my .40 reloads from the late 90's, one at a time. They did good & were accurate. :headscratch

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:56 pm
by ajwakeboarder
If you constantly load and unload your gun be careful of bullet setback.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:04 pm
by RJGold
Ammo will stay good for a long time if it is kept dry.

I typically shoot a mag or two of my hollow point ammo when I go to the range and replenish as needed.

I quit doing that when ammo availability got crazy but I am back to doing it again.

My two cents...

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:25 pm
by EEllis
I hade some good Gold Dot and Hydra shock that I was using for carry ammo for years, not sure how long. When I eventually shot it I had all kinds of issues including FTF and feed problems. I cycle thru my ammo more often now.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:34 am
by RPBrown
I will rotate my carry ammo thru about every 6 months. That insures, to me at least, that it will still cycle through. A little expensive, yes. But can you put a price on your safety when you need it?

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:04 am
by Pecos
Thanks everyone for the advice. :cheers2:
I'm thinking I will recycle my hollow points once a year to be on the safe side.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:12 am
by carlson1
Pecos wrote:Thanks everyone for the advice. :cheers2:
I'm thinking I will recycle my hollow points once a year to be on the safe side.
This is what I do.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:29 am
by Pecos
This will also get me used to my defensive ammo & how well my gun likes it etc.....
A box of 25 CD ammo is $22.00. well worth it! :thumbs2:

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:13 am
by MoJo
What a lot of people I know do is on your birthday buy a new box of carry ammo and shoot the stuff you are carrying. :tiphat:

eta: Pecos, I have a pretty good supply of M2 Ball (.30'06) that was loaded at Lake City in 1967 it still goes bang and hits the target in a decent group. :coolgleamA: 46 year old ammunition I would still trust my life to it. :thumbs2: :tiphat:

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:34 am
by EEllis
I think a lot of the difference is how the ammo is stored.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:43 am
by RogueUSMC
EEllis wrote:I think a lot of the difference is how the ammo is stored.
yep...

When I was in the service, we were regularly shooting ammunition older than we were. But that ammunition had stayed in foil wrap sealed in an ammo can...

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:08 pm
by AlaskanInTexas
Pecos wrote:Does ammo go bad or stale?
For me, ammo goes bad just after I shoot it. Up until then it is usually good to go no matter how old.

Re: Defensive Ammo- Expiration ???

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:22 pm
by Pecos
It's funny! I havent re loaded pistal ammo sense the 90's I still have speer .40 bullets left over. Just the other day I unsealed the stuff & found about 20 rounds of .40 ammo I reloaded back then. Not know what to expect I just tried one at a time The 5 in the clip they were amaisingly accurate no jams or stove pipes!!!
:headscratch