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old ammo?

C0ri4n7uMr13C0ri4n7uMr13 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
I am only just starting into bulls eye shooting and my father has given me his old revolver with about a case of old ammo to go along with it.The ammo is CCI maxi-mag and CIL Imperial high velocity .22lr. Either of which is older than I am (I think the ammo is pushing 30yrs)With the exception of the exterior boxes looking like they have had a little oil and a lot of dust on them the internal boxes look brand new.Here's the question; is this stuff still safe to shoot?
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Comments

  • C0ri4n7uMr13C0ri4n7uMr13 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have some 30-06 ammo that is 40+ years old. I also have some 32win ammo thatis 20+years old. Is it safe to shoot or what? Appreciate any info, thanks.
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  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, assuming that your ammo has been stored in a cool, dry environment there should be little change from when it was new. If it has been subjected to prolonged and repeated hot temperatures, such as having been stored in an attic during summer months, the powder may have begun to deteriorate; but the result would be misfires, poor accuracy, and erratic velocities--but still not dangerous.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've also seen problems when the ammo was frozen, or at least subjected to prolonged freezing temperatures, but again, it is not unsafe, just not as reliable. If you try what you have in a target firearm and have erratic results, relegate the old stuff to plinking. Responses to other inquiries on .22 target ammo in the past have repeatedly stressed that individual arms will often demonstrate a preference for particular brands and loadings, so experimentation is in order if you are serious.
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  • Bill JordanBill Jordan Member Posts: 1,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As an old shooter,when you learn the basics of b-e shooting and advance, you may want to consider an auto but by all means , keep the revolver. The auto will give you an advantage in timed and rapid, as well as being easier to reload between strings if you have at least two mags.P.S. Have Fun!!
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  • C0ri4n7uMr13C0ri4n7uMr13 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I took some of the ammo out shooting and it seems to be rather dirty as far as deposits left on the gun. After about 100 rounds or so my left hand that I use to turn the cylinder while reloading is nearly black. (To be honest this could be normal as I haven't shot a lot. Besides that in all the time that my dad owned the revolver he never cleaned it)Thanks Bill. I have actually been saving my nickles for an IZH35M. I've been told it's a good one to start with and a lot of gun for the money.Thanks all for your help
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    CO, you will never know the intrinsic accuracy of the revolver or the ammo shooting a filthy weapon. Suggest you start w/ a good cleaning. There will always be powder residue and years' accumulation certainly will make your hands more dirty than a day's. By the same token, don't expect your hands to be surgically clean when you finish a session.
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