How to Determine Gunpowder Shelf Life
November 26, 2012
By Layne Simpson
https://www.rifleshootermag.co...der-shelf-life/83922

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pavilion,

Thanks for the article. I was familiar with some of that, but not all.
And welcome to the forum.

I wouldn’t bother with pulling bullets would have just shot it. When I was in Afghanistan 2008, we did get lots of 40’s era 50 BMG ammo and it shot fine. Surprising ammo that old was still being stored somewhere.
Oldest ammo I have fired was from the 1890’s with no problems.

I was given some old ammo recently, mostly 223 & 308, military surplus. This ammo was in fair shape, but wasn’t stored ideally. Many cases were tarnished, some light corrosion.

In this batch, maybe 150 total rounds. My procedure is to take each round, wipe down with an oiled cloth. If just a touch of corrosion I use some fine steel wool on them. This may seem like a to-do, but just a little time & I have perfectly suitable ammo.

I figure 20 rounds of 308 ammo would be $25-30 minimum, so there’s that. I would use it for initial sight in or plinking, nothing serious.