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component shelf life

Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,893 ✭✭✭
edited June 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I have a RCBS single stage press that was here when I moved in to this house. I've never used it. I have reloaded shotshells on a friend's progressive and I have handloaded with a Lee Loader for shotshells.

I hope I never have to use it but I was thinking about getting bullets, powder, and primers for 38/357 in case of a worst case scenario and can't buy ammo any more.

What's the shelf life for powder and primers?
I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly
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Comments

  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi Henry,

    If stored in a cool dry place, not subject to drastic temp changes figure about 50-75 years and up to 100 if things are real stable.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got powder and primers I bought back in 1974. Both still are fine. Been stored in ammo cans.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have some Bulls-Eye powder from the 1950's that I use as a bench mark to compare with every new 8 pound can I buy the 50 year old stuff shoots better groups then most lot # of the stuff that has been made in the last 10 years. I also have some 30 year old cci primers that I use for same purpose. I have some 50 year old Winchester primers that the box insert is WOOD they still work great also.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I've used primed 30-06 brass dated from 1904-1935. Dunno when the guy tore it down but I got it at a flea market. Probably came out of some old timer's estate.

    It all worked fine. Come to think of it the 1904 stuff must have been 30-03!

    Hard to say, he had trimmed it all down to 8mm Mauser about 150 rounds in all.

    I still use the brass for light cast bullet reloads.
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  • glockman40swglockman40sw Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am using primers from the 70's and 80's and powder from the 70's and they all perform flawlessly. As was mentioned before storage of the components is the key. Keep them cool and dry and they will last decades with no problem. As a side note I still shoot ammo that was handloaded in the 70's also with no problem. Good luck on the reloading.
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  • grizzclawgrizzclaw Member Posts: 1,159 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm still using small rifle primers from the 60's.
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  • hrbiehrbie Member Posts: 521 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I still use some powder the old man had from the 70's. Shoots great.
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  • XXCrossXXCross Member Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most of you probably have never heard of "sharpshooter" or
    "lightning". They are smokeless powders that date from the
    turn of the previous century. I still have a small quantity of
    each and they work without fail. (and I'm lighting them with
    Winchester #33's) Keep your powder dry and cool, it will
    out live you.
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  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    The primers I'm using were bought in 1974. NONE of them have failed.
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