Shell life

How long do you guys let old shells sit around before you decide they are not field worthy anymore. A year, two, ten.

I usually use new ones every year but man they are getting expensive!!

I have some slugs that I hate to admit how long I have had them. I bought a whole bunch up one year on sale after all the gun seasons had closed and got way more than I needed. By the way that is the best time to buy slugs is right after all the gun season have closed. Not exactly sure how long ago that was but if I had to guess I would say at least 10 years ago. I know I am probably pushing my luck but I have never had one missfire yet.

I’ve used 30+ year old reloads at the 100 yard target range with very good groups using a .243, 222 mag, 38 pistol and .357.

Don’t know if they slow down, but they group just as nice as they did when they were new.

I strongly believe that the key is maintenance!!!
If your shells do not get wet in the field or encounter humidity in your storage location, they should be good indefinitely
Good luck
cheers

Since each brand and load and grain shoot so differently… I buy 10 boxes of the same exact bullet/shell after I’ve decided which works best for my rifle/shotgun. I’m using 20 year old bullets in my 300 Savage because the gun is sighted in with them (check each year) and man have I saved $$$ by doing that…..these were bought for $7.99 a box and now they are over $25!

Jonboy and Drakesdemise are talkin’ my language! I keep my ammo moisture free, as taught by my father. He’s got old ammo too but with nothing to age the cartridge, it’s as good as it ever was. My oldest shells are only about 5yrs old but looking great and I can’t tell any difference between those and new ones.

Also, take advantage of low ammo prices when they come around!!! Use rebate/sale combinations or clearance/rebate combinations for your best savings. This year, I actually got paid $.04 for buying 2 boxes of Winchester Hi-Point 30-30 shells! I had a $10 coupon for [censored], they had a sale for $9.98/box, with a $5 rebate per box, 2 box limit offer. Final out of pocket? $-.04. I also got some Federal Power-Shok 308 shells for $6.79/box after rebate from Fleet Farm this fall. I rarely shoot more than 10 shots a season so stocking up is a great investment for me. So far, I’m decently stocked on 30-30, 243, 308, 20ga 3″ Barnes Expander sabot slugs (clearanced Gander for $2.99/box 4 years ago!) and 20ga steel shot that I got for $5.99/box. I do so well with my 20’s that I hardly shoot 12ga anymore! However, I need to be on the watch for some good 12ga coyote loads and get a larger stockpile of those. If you know of any great deals, post ’em! I need some 22 short/LR/Mag ammo and 41 mag pistol ammo.

I’m hoping to one day look at my stockpile, and find myself right where my dad is today……… Likely enough firepower to never buy another box for the rest of his hunting career!

my dad and i have used shells that were about ten years old and when we fired them off at the range most of them were fine but we would come over the occasional miss fire shell but as far as how long, you can personally be the one to choose whether or not you would want to use the shells over.