Old Shotgun Ammo

[DaggerBlade]

I have some very old shotgun ammo. I have had it for 30+ years and it has been stored in climate controlled environment since I got it. I have no idea how it old or how it was stored prior to the time I got it. It is in a gauge I don't own. Do you think it is safe to shoot? A better question is would you shoot it in your shotgun?

 

[Tboy]

Is it paper or plastic hulls? I've got some 30+ years that I've shot before with no issues. usually dirtier than more modern powders.

You can always cut one or two open to inspect the powder and primer for clumps or corrosion.

 

[340six]

Climate has everything to do with how it last.
Appearance is key. I have shot old shotgun no problems. And in surplus in rifle and pistols

 

[Fordfella]

As Troy Landry would say.......'Choot it!!!

 

[Magdump]

30 years old? LOL! Oh that’s ancient!
If it’s plastic hull, If the brass is not corroded and the hulls aren’t swollen to the point of feed issues, it won’t hurt the gun. I’ve got some from the 70’s with $2.29 TG&Y price stamps on the box and every bit still goes boom. That’s nearly 50 years old.
Approximately half of the surplus 5.56 ammo I own is over 30 years old and I’ve had zero issues.

 

[DBMJR1]

Buy a shotgun in that gauge so you can shoot 'em all up.

 

[falshooter]

I'll take all of it off your hands and alleviate your concerns..

 

[Akajun]

Shoot it
I’m still shooting old paper hull overshotcard stuff I got from a widow in my 16ga
Some of its ww2 era and is corrosive primed so clean the barrel with soap and water as well as solvent

It all goes bang and functions
As long as the brass isn’t cracked and there’s no repeated squib loads or hull seperation it’s good

 

[john17427]

I shoot lots of old shotgun ammo as long as it's not corroded. Tarnished is OK. I've never had a problem with them. No whoop/bangs or dud's so far. I have found that some older Remington shells had hard primers and sometimes need to be shot in a gun with a strong hammer spring.