Modern shotgun shells shelf life?

[dan9591]

What is the shelf life of modern shotgun shells? I have read all over the internet about people finding paper shells from the 60’s, 70’s, etc. and reporting that some work while other don’t.

However, what is the shelf life expectancy of modern, plastic shells? Should they be stored the same way as brass ammo? I live on the beach in south Florida, so humidity and salt in the air are a primary concern. I store my brass in ammo cans with desiccant and oxygen absorbers. Should shotgun shells be stored any differently? With or without the cardboard box?

My process for brass storage is:

1. Buy the ammo and put it in my low-humidity safe for a few days to bring down the moisture content.
2. Prep and test the ammo cans for air tightness. I make sure the rubber seal is good and use some silicone spray. I use 30 or 50mm steel ammo cans.
3. Pack the ammo, in the original boxes if possible, along with a desiccant pack and oxygen absorber. If there’s extra room, I’ll throw in a mag or two.
4. Label the can with the date, caliber, manufacturer, lot number, etc. and shove it under the bed or on the closet floor.

I understand that the best option is rotation, and I do rotate the ammo I use often, but I have a few hundred shotgun shells and not much opportunity to use them. The shells I have will basically be put away until needed, which may be never, so long-term storage is my goal.

Any thoughts on shelf life and the best way to extend it for modern, plastic shotgun shells?

Thanks in advance!

[twodollarbill]

For your location, your storage methods are top-notch.
You can't get any better than sealed ammo cans with desiccant.
If your ok with grabbing an ammo can as your heading out the door,
that's fine.....but I always have a to-go bag with mags and ammo, too.

I've always had access to a commercial vacuum packer. So I've thrown in a pack
of desiccant and sealed up full cases.

I'm still shooting 12ga that I purchased in the 70's with no failures.
My machine-guns are occasionally being feed ammo from the 40's.

Keep storing your stash the way you have and I don't believe you will have any problems.

[dan9591]

Glad to hear I figured out how to something right! I gotta look into a vacuum sealer, though. It sounds ideal for this type of stuff.

How about shotgun shells just sitting out there? I keep a full shotgun sling out in the open. Any ideas on its shelf life?

[twodollarbill]

We all pretty much grew up with plastic shell cases.
I can remember stories of the old paper ones getting wet and pretty much
falling apart when they dried out.
I've dropped shells in the water, shook them off and fired them. Heck, some may
of ended up in the bag and didn't get used for another year. No problems.
I would just make sure your "handled" ammo gets used up in practice sessions
and that way you know your "go" stuff is fresh.
For now, your bandoleer is good to go.
10 to 20 years hanging in your climate may be a different story.

[finn]

How about rounds in the magazine? What time period are we looking at for deformation caused by mag spring pressure?

[twodollarbill]

How about rounds in the magazine?

I see no reason a brand new modern mag can't be fully loaded and sit for years before use.
I like fully loaded, some like 28, what ever floats your boat.....be consistent.

What time period are we looking at for deformation caused by mag spring pressure?

I really like Pmags and the idea their cover takes the pressure off the feed lips and keeps the dirt out too.
Anti-tilt followers provide even pressure, the lack of anti-tilts in older metal mags
I believe was part of the problem with those mags having a feed lip bend and become unreliable.
I give away those mags that I've ejected and have become questionable after hitting the ground.

With the price of AR mags, I look at all of them as a disposable storage unit.
If you find a bad one or are suspicious of one......don't rely on it, get rid of it.

[finn]

I mean shotshell deformation caused by the lengthwise pressure of a tubular 12g magazine.

[twodollarbill]

My bad....sorry for not understanding.
I've never seen a 12ga round deform to the point it won't slide down the
tube or be able to be chambered just from sitting in the tube long-term.
I've seen rounds become tarnished on the base from sitting in a tube.
Telling the user to breakdown the entire weapon and clean it.
As for the mag spring....we we taught to "muzzle up" and rack the round in
on the old Rem 870's, maybe there was some thinking that gravity was helping.
I would think it would be smart to back off "one" round in the tube if planning
long term storage, maybe upgrade the mag spring.

[AMProducts]

Just a few things to remember when it comes to shotshells...

The base of nearly every modern shell is made of brass clad steel, and it will rust if exposed to salt air. Some shells like federal can be nickel or zinc plated, however this plating is done before the forming operation, so there are usually small gaps and toolmarks where oxygen can get at the steel and start doing it's thing.

I totally agree with bill, it sounds like you're doing it right. Pack 'em in ammo cans with a few dessicants and they should be good for the next 100 years (provided your cans don't rust through).