{"id":503,"date":"2022-10-10T16:21:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T16:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunnersoutlet.com\/v_21\/news\/?p=503"},"modified":"2022-10-10T16:21:55","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T16:21:55","slug":"old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Old Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We\u2019ve all heard the saying, \u201cIf it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it.\u201d When it comes to ammunition, this adage couldn\u2019t be more true. If your gun and ammunition are working fine, there\u2019s no need to replace them. In fact, many shooters prefer to stick with tried-and-true ammunition that they know works well in their firearm.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there may come a time when you have to ask yourself whether your old ammunition is still good to go. Maybe you\u2019ve inherited a stash of ammo from a relative, or you\u2019ve come across some old cartridges at a yard sale. Whatever the case, you\u2019ll want to know if that ammo is still safe to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few things to keep in mind when determining whether your ammunition is still good to fire:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Check the expiration date<\/b><\/h2>\n

If the ammunition has an expiration date stamped on it, that\u2019s a good place to start. Most manufacturers print an expiration date on their ammo. For example, Remington prints a \u201cUse By\u201d date on their shotgun shells.<\/span><\/p>\n

While an expiration date is a good indicator of whether the ammunition is still good, it\u2019s not a foolproof method. After all, many things can affect the quality of ammunition, such as heat, humidity, and light exposure. So even if the expiration date has passed, the ammo may still be fine to use.<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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2. Inspect the brass<\/b><\/h2>

The brass casing is what holds the primer, powder, and bullet together. It\u2019s also what\u2019s extracted from the gun after the round is fired. So, it stands to reason that if the brass is in good condition, the rest of the cartridge is likely in good condition as well.<\/span><\/p>

When inspecting brass casings, look for any sign of corrosion or pitting. These are sure signs that the ammo is no longer good. Also, make sure the brass is not dented or damaged in any way. A small dent may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause the bullet to veer off course when fired.<\/span><\/p>

3. Check the primer<\/b><\/h2>

The primer is responsible for igniting the gunpowder. It\u2019s a small cup of lead styphnate that\u2019s located in the back of the brass casing. When you strike the primer with a firing pin, it causes a small explosion that ignites the powder.<\/span><\/p>

To check the primer, simply look at it through the opening at the back of the brass casing. It should be flat and seated properly. If it\u2019s not, the ammunition is no longer good.<\/span><\/p>

4. Look for signs of moisture<\/b><\/h2>

One of the biggest enemies of ammunition is moisture. Water can cause all sorts of problems, such as corrosion and rust. It can also cause the gunpowder to clump together, which will affect the accuracy and power of the round.<\/span><\/p>

When inspecting your ammunition for signs of moisture, pay close attention to the brass casing and the powder. If either one appears wet or damp, it\u2019s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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5. Give it a smell test<\/b><\/h2>

This may sound strange, but one of the best ways to tell if ammunition is still good is to give it a smell test. Fresh gunpowder has a distinct, acrid smell. If the powder smells sour or musty, it\u2019s likely no longer good.<\/span><\/p>

Of course, this method is not foolproof. There are some types of ammunition that are designed to not have a strong smell. So, if you\u2019re not sure, it\u2019s always best to err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.<\/span><\/p>

In conclusion<\/b><\/h2>

Determining whether your old ammunition is still good to use can be a tricky business. However, if you keep the above tips in mind, you should be able to make a pretty good assessment. And when in doubt, always err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.<\/span>Need new stocks? Check out our huge selection of in-stock ammunition. We’ve got everything you need, from 9mm to .308!<\/span>\u00a0Click here<\/span><\/a> to shop now.<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t <\/div>\n\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n\t \n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all heard the saying, \u201cIf it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it.\u201d When it comes to ammunition, this adage couldn\u2019t be more true. If your gun and ammunition are working fine, there\u2019s no need to replace them. In fact, many shooters prefer to stick with tried-and-true ammunition that they know works well in their firearm. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,10],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nOld Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go - Gunners Outlet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Old Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go - Gunners Outlet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gunners Outlet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-10T16:21:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-10-10T16:21:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1999\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1125\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Gunners Outlet\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/\",\"name\":\"Gunners Outlet\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg\",\"width\":1999,\"height\":1125},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/\",\"name\":\"Old Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go - 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Gunners Outlet","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Old Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go - Gunners Outlet","og_url":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/","og_site_name":"Gunners Outlet","article_published_time":"2022-10-10T16:21:23+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-10-10T16:21:55+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1999,"height":1125,"url":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Gunners Outlet"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/","name":"Gunners Outlet","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image1.jpg","width":1999,"height":1125},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/old-ammunition-how-to-know-if-your-ammo-is-still-good-to-go\/","name":"Old Ammunition: How to Know if Your Ammo is Still Good to Go - 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If your gun and ammunition are working fine, there\u2019s no need to replace them. In fact, many shooters prefer to stick with tried-and-true ammunition that they know works well in their firearm.<\/p> <p>However, there may come a time when you have to ask yourself whether your old ammunition is still good to go. Maybe you\u2019ve inherited a stash of ammo from a relative, or you\u2019ve come across some old cartridges at a yard sale. Whatever the case, you\u2019ll want to know if that ammo is still safe to use.<\/p> <p>Here are a few things to keep in mind when determining whether your ammunition is still good to fire:<\/p> <h2><b>1. Check the expiration date<\/b><\/h2> <p>If the ammunition has an expiration date stamped on it, that\u2019s a good place to start. Most manufacturers print an expiration date on their ammo. For example, Remington prints a \u201cUse By\u201d date on their shotgun shells.<\/p> <p>While an expiration date is a good indicator of whether the ammunition is still good, it\u2019s not a foolproof method. After all, many things can affect the quality of ammunition, such as heat, humidity, and light exposure. So even if the expiration date has passed, the ammo may still be fine to use.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1125\" src=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3.jpg\" alt=\"bullets in a case\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3.jpg 1999w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image3-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" \/>\n<h2><b>2. Inspect the brass<\/b><\/h2><p>The brass casing is what holds the primer, powder, and bullet together. It\u2019s also what\u2019s extracted from the gun after the round is fired. So, it stands to reason that if the brass is in good condition, the rest of the cartridge is likely in good condition as well.<\/p><p>When inspecting brass casings, look for any sign of corrosion or pitting. These are sure signs that the ammo is no longer good. Also, make sure the brass is not dented or damaged in any way. A small dent may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause the bullet to veer off course when fired.<\/p><h2><b>3. Check the primer<\/b><\/h2><p>The primer is responsible for igniting the gunpowder. It\u2019s a small cup of lead styphnate that\u2019s located in the back of the brass casing. When you strike the primer with a firing pin, it causes a small explosion that ignites the powder.<\/p><p>To check the primer, simply look at it through the opening at the back of the brass casing. It should be flat and seated properly. If it\u2019s not, the ammunition is no longer good.<\/p><h2><b>4. Look for signs of moisture<\/b><\/h2><p>One of the biggest enemies of ammunition is moisture. Water can cause all sorts of problems, such as corrosion and rust. It can also cause the gunpowder to clump together, which will affect the accuracy and power of the round.<\/p><p>When inspecting your ammunition for signs of moisture, pay close attention to the brass casing and the powder. If either one appears wet or damp, it\u2019s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1125\" src=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2.jpg\" alt=\"empty bullet cartridge\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2.jpg 1999w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/image2-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" \/>\n<h2><b>5. Give it a smell test<\/b><\/h2><p>This may sound strange, but one of the best ways to tell if ammunition is still good is to give it a smell test. Fresh gunpowder has a distinct, acrid smell. If the powder smells sour or musty, it\u2019s likely no longer good.<\/p><p>Of course, this method is not foolproof. There are some types of ammunition that are designed to not have a strong smell. So, if you\u2019re not sure, it\u2019s always best to err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.<\/p><h2><b>In conclusion<\/b><\/h2><p>Determining whether your old ammunition is still good to use can be a tricky business. However, if you keep the above tips in mind, you should be able to make a pretty good assessment. And when in doubt, always err on the side of caution and dispose of the rounds.Need new stocks? Check out our huge selection of in-stock ammunition. We've got everything you need, from 9mm to .308!\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunnersoutlet.com\/v_21\/shop\/shop.php?filter_reset=no&category=66&mod_price=0&is_bundle=BI&off_stt=2&results_per_page=15&shop_mode=RT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to shop now.<\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=503"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":508,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503\/revisions\/508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunnersoutlet.com\/v_3_0\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}