shelf life of primers

[Roktory 5]

This may be a stupid question; I have not reloaded in about 20 years. Today while getting out and setting up my reloading equipment I found 2 boxes of large rifle primers (1000) in each. These primers were stored in a cool dry location

 

So what do you think are they safe to use??

[alec.mc 180]

Hit one with a hammer and she if she pops!

[Steve_G 51]

I don't see why not. People are still shooting WWII surplus ammo.

[AnthonyG 36]

Unless they get wet or oil gets into them, they will work fine. There has been a few people that did stress tests with primers and seeing what effects them and what does not, I will have to try and find the article.

[msokad 3]

I had some 15 year old primers myself and was concerned. I loaded one for a test and sure enough, it popped. Unless you soaked them in oil the past 20 years, you should be fine.

[PeteF 1,044]

I don't see why not. People are still shooting WWII surplus ammo.

 

Ammo is more or less sealed. The primer won't wont degrade.

Primers alone are subject to humidity, chemical intrusion whatever. Stored properly they will last a long time. Stored in high humidity areas not so much.

[tony357 386]

Their good i have rifle primers older than that i have used...

 

You can always prime a few shells and try them out..

[Roktory 5]

thanks for all the help. now i just got to sit down and make some rounds

[10X 3,296]

Too risky! Give them to me, and I'll dispose of them for you!

[W2MC 1,699]

I am in a similar situation - just started reloading again after being out of it for 15-20 years. Raising kids and other interests took time away from shooting and reloading.

 

Anyhow, I opened the ammo can where I stored my primers, and what did I find? Several thousand smiling little faces (marked small or large pistol) looking back at me. Some of the date codes (that I could read/understand) were from 1990.

 

So I've been happily using them, and the Bullseye/2400 powder, and the 1-2000 cast boolets that have been hanging around all these years. Storage was in a dark cabinet in the basement, and everything (so far) has been working well.

 

Eventually I will have to venture out and replace some of this stuff, and I have heard the price tag has increased a bit...

 

For example, some of the price tags:

 

100 Remington 1 1/2 (small pistol) primers - 75 cents

1000 cast 158 gr SWC .358 boolets - $29

1 lb Hercules Bullseye powder - $12.95

 

Ahhhh...those were the days....

[jm1827 284]

I have used shotgun primers over 15 years old with no problems whatsoever.

[Vlad G 345]

I have some primers from the 50's and 60's sitting around. One day when there isn't a crunch on damn near everything I'll probably load them to see if they still work. I'm not risking my existing brass and components when I don't know if I can get more.

[GRIZ 3,369]

They should still be good for all the reasons already said.

 

I've fired factory ammo from the 1920s with no issues. I recently fired some ammo I loaded 35 years ago, no problems.

 

 

[BullzeyeNJ 104]

They last a very long time unless your cat decides to pee on them. They they are garbage.

[W2MC 1,699]

They last a very long time unless your cat decides to pee on them. They they are garbage.

 

Do we want to know HOW you came to this gem of information?

[T Bill 649]

If properly stored primers, powder, and boolits last a long, ling time.

I am reloading 45ACP now with compenents from 1989 to 1991 for $5.00/box 50.