Shot some 25 year old handloads

[Mobuck]

First time I'd shot the 7mm Rem mag in a decade but those properly stored loads shot just as well today as in 1993 as did the factory loads from a similar time. I'm confident enough to take those loads hunting in 2 weeks.
I was reminded why I choose to hunt with a 25/06 these days BTW. That 7 mag really rocked me. I'm really hoping the guide feels he can put us within 250 yards so I can use the 308 carbine.

 

[Tom W]

Ain't it strange how what we used to shoot with aplomb we now shoot with trepidation? Getting old makes us smarter....

 

[Mobuck]

"Ain't it strange how what we used to shoot with aplomb we now shoot with trepidation? Getting old makes us smarter...."

Yes, for quite a few years back in the mid-80's, I shot the 7mm RM as my main game rifle. Lots of deer (and coyotes during deer season)felt the power of the "big 7" and it didn't seem to bother me at all. I shot deer and yoties at ranges that were well beyond what the average hunter would even attempt because I could. The 139 BTSP loads I used back then shot similar trajectories to my 22/250 at long range which made things simpler. It was literally "if I could see it, I could hit it" if I had a decent rest and a calm wind.

 

[bigedp51]

Below is what happens when you fire old surplus click.................................bang Pakistani .303 British ammo and do not wait for the bang before opening the bolt.
This happened during a Mad Minute rapid fire and the shooter was not injured but the magazine was blown out of the rifle.
As you can see the front part of the case was sucked into a Black Hole and disappeared into the Underverse. :roll:

Bottom line, even the U.S. Military does not keep ammo for 25 years before selling it off as surplus.

 

[Mobuck]

The ammo fell within the velocity and accuracy levels produced at the time of loading.

 

[Psb1911]

I shot some 45 Colt ammo I handloaded in 1977 this past weekend. No problem!

 

[RoninPA]

I was given a bunch of antique ammo, .45 ACP included. I just had to know so I loaded up a magazine and it fired perfectly normal. Oh, it was loaded in 1917 and 1918 (factory loads not handloads ). I then sold the rest of it to a guy that wanted it.

 

[Mobuck]

one shot=one kill
This lot of ammo loaded in 1997 has accounted for 4 elk and still going strong.

 

[RSIno1]

Ain't it strange how what we used to shoot with aplomb we now shoot with trepidation? Getting old makes us smarter....

Went to NV a couple months ago and took my unfired 458 WinMag No1. After a day of 45acp, 44mag, 458SoCom I decided to leave the 458 for another time.

 

[opos]

....

 

[opos]

I began reloading in the late, late 50's and the early 60's.."hottest thing on the block" was the wild cat 25-06..I built one on a Winchester 1917 Enfield the "old school way" with the ears milled, a fagen stock with Herters French red filler and liege finish...jeweled bolt...cock on opening, etc and an old Weaver 4x scope...can't begin to count the deer, elk and "speed goats" that old rifle accounted for and everyone wanted to shoot my 25-06 ....it's long gone now but about 4 years ago I was negotiating on a rifle and the guy said.."got an old sportarized Enfield in 25-06...haven't shot it but looks good...any interest? It's been in my safe and to the range a lot since then...too old and beat up to hunt but still love the 100 grain screamer in that old combination..Some pics of the "current" blaster...nothing but handloads go through it and when I go the rifle and the handloads will end up with someone that may get to shoot it for a long time to come with some ammo that was loaded with a lifetime of care and enjoyment.


https://imgur.com/a/96qHF

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I would hope to use powder and primers within about 5 years and reloads within about 6 or 7 years and factory ammo before 20 years.

...but stuff happens and time marches on.

 

[Ka6otm]

I've used an awful lot of powder and primers that were 40 years old or older. As long as they've been kept dry you won't have a problem in the world.

The powder I use every week to reload my .410 bore hulls I bought in 1971 and it's seen temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit for over 2 weeks and years of 110 degree Fahrenheit stored in my garage. It's 2400 by the way and I've tried it against brand new 2400 and see absolutely no difference in shooting Sporting Clays targets out to 45 yards or so.

Powder and primers only go bad if they're subject to moisture. People who live in the greater Phoenix area as I do commonly store powder and primers in their storage sheds where temperatures commonly exceed 140 degrees and they do it for years.

The Pakistani ammo above was probably exposed to something that corroded by base of the cartridge and caused the failure.

 

[protoolman]

Several years back I saw the current US military inventory and they still listed 45-70 loads on it. The US military definitely keeps ammo more than 25 years! Did I mention I shot a deer with old WWll surplus 4831 powder I loaded a few years back? I still have a coffee can of that left to load up. When I chronographed it it was right in the normal range.

 

[dougader]

I shot some 45 Colt ammo I handloaded in 1977 this past weekend. No problem!

I went to the range Tuesday and fired a bunch of 9mm ammo I had on hand. The sticker I put on the box was dated 6-21-1991. No problems here, either.