Does Ammunition Expire? Understanding Storage Conditions

Have you ever inspected your ammunition supply and questioned whether it remains fully serviceable? It’s a question every shooter, hunter, collector and even safety-conscious homeowner thinks about. “Does ammunition expire?” Knowing how long your cartridges might last, storing them right, and spotting the warning signs of decay are crucial. It concerns ensuring safe firearm operation, achieving consistent performance, and avoiding the inconvenience and expense of misfires.

This blog dives deep into keeping your ammunition in tip-top shape. We’ll dissect what makes a cartridge tick, bust some common myths, arm you with practical storage tips, and even touch on Canadian legal considerations.

What Makes Up a Cartridge and What Can Go Wrong

To address the question “Do bullets go bad?” We will first examine the components of a cartridge and explore how age and environmental conditions affect each element.

Components at a Glance

Don’t let the small size fool you; these are all the important components that make it work:

Case (brass/steel): This is the cartridge body, holding everything together. Think of it as the foundation.
Primer: This tiny explosive starts the whole show when the firing pin hits it.
Propellant (powder): This chemical is what launches the projectile. You probably know it as gunpowder.
Projectile (bullet or shot): The thing that actually flies out of the barrel towards the target.

Degradation Pathways

So, what makes ammo “go bad”? Blame chemistry and physics.

Chemical Issues:

- - Powder Breakdown: Over time, the powder itself can degrade chemically. This means weaker shots and inconsistent performance.
  - Primer Compound Instability: That little primer can lose its oomph, leading to misfires.

Physical Problems:

- Case Corrosion: The case can corrode, weakening the entire structure. Bad news.
- Bullet Oxidation: Like any metal, bullets can oxidize, affecting their surface and potentially their flight.
- Sealant Failure: The seal protects the internals of the cartridge. Performance problems will arise if it is damaged.

Shelf-Life Facts vs. Myths

You’ll hear all sorts of wild claims about how long ammo lasts. Let’s sort fact from fiction.

Military Longevity: The military stores ammunition for decades. Extreme control and handling make this possible.
Civilian Longevity Claims: Civilian claims range from “lasts forever” to “trash after ten years.” Ammunition that is stored correctly should defy most obsolescence, and poor conditions will lower any ammunition’s effectiveness.
Storage Matters More Than Age: Storage matters more than age. Heat, moisture, and physical abuse are what really kill ammo quickly.

Best-Practice Storage Guidelines

Okay, so how should you store your ammo? Here’s the lowdown:

Container Choices

Original Boxes vs. Loose: The original boxes do help, but you will need better alternatives for long-term preservation. Keeping ammunition loose will make physical trauma and corrosion worse without a container.
Military Ammo Cans: These are your best bet for serious long-term storage. They’re tough, airtight, and built to last.
Polymer Cans: Polymer cans are lighter than steel, but you are sacrificing the robustness that steel gives you. Polymer cans can do work well if portability is a high priority.

Climate Control

Temperature: Keep it cool—10-25°C (50-77°F) is ideal.
Humidity: Aim for less than 50% relative humidity.
Desiccants: Throw in some desiccant packs to suck up moisture and use humidity indicator cards to keep track of the humidity with a visual cue.

Organization & Rotation

Labelling: Label each container with the calibre and purchase date.
FIFO: “First In, First Out.” Use the oldest ammo first.
Regular Inspections: Every six to twelve months, check your stash.

Spotting Compromised Ammunition

Learn to recognize the danger signs!

Visual Inspection: Check for corrosion, discolouration, dents, cracks, and protruding primers.
Smell Test: If the powder smells sour or acidic, something’s wrong. If it has that normal smell, then you should be in good shape.
Range Test: When in doubt, test a few rounds at the range safely. Look out for tons of squib.

Special Storage Considerations

Ammunition Type	Specific Risk	Additional Precaution
Rimfire (.22 LR)	Sensitive rim‑priming compound	Retain factory‑sealed bricks
Shotgun Shells	Hull moisture absorption	Store upright in low humidity
Black‑Powder Cartridges	Highly hygroscopic propellant	Airtight containers with desiccant
Tracer & Incendiary	Elevated fire hazard	Store only in metal cans; follow fire codes

Legal, Insurance & Safety Considerations (Canada-Focused)

Canadian shooters, pay attention!

Storage Limits: Provinces have rules about how much ammo you can store.
Transport: There are transportation rules that you must follow to prevent theft or accidental loss.
Insurance: Check with your home insurance company.
Disposal: Don’t just toss old ammo in the trash! Contact the police or a hazardous waste depot.

So, does ammunition expire or can ammunition go bad? Not precisely; rather, it degrades over time. With proper care, however, you can preserve it in optimal condition for many years. Follow the recommendations in this guide to keep your ammunition supply safe, reliable, and ready whenever needed. Begin your inspection today.