Using quality ammo and taking good care of it (keeping it away heat, humidity, moisture, etc.), how often do you replace your carry ammo, if at all? I know some people replace carry ammo every few months, while others claim ammo has an indefinite shelf life under proper conditions. I'd be curious to hear what everybody thinks, especially you CCW folks.
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CARRY AMMO shelf life
- Thread starter Sub MOA
- Start date
Fred J. Drumheller
Retired Screen Name
When I go to the range, I fire the rounds in my carry gun first and replace them when I leave. That means that my carry ammo is never more than about six months old.
BUT!!!
I have GI ammo circa WW-II, and it works fine. Therefore, I'm probably being over cautious, but I think rotating your ammo through you gun is the best idea.
By-the-way. Last time I did this, I had a failure to feed from my back-up mag. It needed a new spring. So, fresh ammo ain't the only reason to cycle your ammo through the gun.
Yr. Obt. Svnt.
------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle
BUT!!!
I have GI ammo circa WW-II, and it works fine. Therefore, I'm probably being over cautious, but I think rotating your ammo through you gun is the best idea.
By-the-way. Last time I did this, I had a failure to feed from my back-up mag. It needed a new spring. So, fresh ammo ain't the only reason to cycle your ammo through the gun.
Yr. Obt. Svnt.
------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle
I agree with Fred. At any range session (hopefully more than once every six months), the carry ammo should be fired off first, then fresh ammo loaded at the end of the range session.
Nonetheless, with reasonable care the life of most ammo can be measured in decades. I have fired ammo that was 80 years old and it went bang. Modern center fire primers and powder have not been around long enough to determine a realistic shelf life, but I have fired 80 year old ammo and all of that lot went bang. Some ammo (storage conditions unknown) only 20 years old has failed to fire reliably.
Jim
Nonetheless, with reasonable care the life of most ammo can be measured in decades. I have fired ammo that was 80 years old and it went bang. Modern center fire primers and powder have not been around long enough to determine a realistic shelf life, but I have fired 80 year old ammo and all of that lot went bang. Some ammo (storage conditions unknown) only 20 years old has failed to fire reliably.
Jim
This is an interesting thread, with responses from several of our TFL experts. While I’m no authority, I take a slightly different approach that results in new "carry ammunition" twice yearly.
I go to the range at least weekly and always practice with my "primary carry weapon" (a .357 magnum) as well as with others. When working with my carry weapon, I set aside the carry rounds and use .38 Special FMJ target loads.
However, twice annually -- as the seasons change -- I fire my carry rounds and substitute new loads that are more suitable for the clothing worn during the impending time-of-year. This results in carrying (6 plus two speed loaders):
> 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shok in the Spring/Summer
> 125 grain Cor-Bon in the Fall/Winter
I’d be interested in your comments regarding this approach. Thanks.
I go to the range at least weekly and always practice with my "primary carry weapon" (a .357 magnum) as well as with others. When working with my carry weapon, I set aside the carry rounds and use .38 Special FMJ target loads.
However, twice annually -- as the seasons change -- I fire my carry rounds and substitute new loads that are more suitable for the clothing worn during the impending time-of-year. This results in carrying (6 plus two speed loaders):
> 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shok in the Spring/Summer
> 125 grain Cor-Bon in the Fall/Winter
I’d be interested in your comments regarding this approach. Thanks.
Our deparment rotates duty ammo once a year for the same reasons as mentioned above. Also imagine the pounding the first couple rounds take with all the loading and unloading associated with cleaning, monthly practice, inspections, and qualifications. I've seen some pretty dinged up jackets. Additionally, at least one officer keeps his weapons unloaded at home because of someone's personal beliefs. (Yep, his wife don't like guns) Unloading each night and loading each morning is pretty hard on the cartridge.
I think that rotating carry ammo once a year should be the minimum and wish we could move up to a six month roatation like others have mentioned.
I think that rotating carry ammo once a year should be the minimum and wish we could move up to a six month roatation like others have mentioned.
Amalgam,
In my case, the answer to your question is economics. If you review my earlier post to this thread, you'll note that I carry .357 magnum loads. However, I practice frequently and use about 400 target rounds monthly. It's a GREAT deal cheaper to use .38 Specials rather than .357 magnums when you're going through eight boxes a month (not to mention far easier on hands and revolvers)!
In my case, the answer to your question is economics. If you review my earlier post to this thread, you'll note that I carry .357 magnum loads. However, I practice frequently and use about 400 target rounds monthly. It's a GREAT deal cheaper to use .38 Specials rather than .357 magnums when you're going through eight boxes a month (not to mention far easier on hands and revolvers)!
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
They always say to practice with what you carry so rotating only makes good sense. I have had a few boxes of old 22LR Remington Thunderbolts that seemed to "ferment" while stored and wound up firing like magnums. In a modern firearm in good condition this isn't a problem, but if you are shooting an old or cheap gun, I would be careful.