Time for a stupid newbie question. How long can ammo last (when stored properly)? I ask because the best quality ammo I could get my hands on here is Hydrashok (no HST, corbon, gold dot that is easily available, and getting the Hydrashok in itself was a minor miracle). Thus I got a couple of boxes, which I may have to keep for quite some time. How long can ammo keep when well stored? Please note this is for personal defence, thus it has to work every time. Thanks.
If you keep it cool and dry (>30% humidity), it should last for many years. That said, I’ve shot .357magnum ammo which was 24 yrs old, but I carefully inspected each round for pitting/cracks/dents etc before using it. I have a LARGE quantity of ammo for 8 calibers, going on 13 yrs old. It’s stored in a carefully-controlled humidity basement with food and water and other preps.
I’ll have to defer to other whether primers or powder degrade and over what time span. Anything over 10-12 yrs old, I’d want to inspect before shooting.ll have to defer to other whether primers or powder degrade and over what time span. Anything over 10-12 yrs old, I