10 year old primers ????

[Witchhunter]

I have some primers that were given to me ,the only problem is that they are 10 years old. They were kept in a ammo can and stored inside.

So what say the experts can I still use them?. Normally I would throw away old primers but we are talking 10,000 plus

[CS273]

I've had several thousand primers which I've had stored for between 6 and 8 years. I just reloaded them all into 5.56mm ammo in the last several months. It didn't even occur to me to worry. If they are stored where they couldn't get wet or damage by chemicals they'll be fine.

I'd just wish I'd store more away back when they were cheap. I had to go and buy some more to finish loading all of my brass and bullets. It's almost time to start blasting all of my ammo.

I have about 7000 5.56mm FMJBT and 2000 5.56mm with varmint bullets and 3000 7.62mm match quality rounds. I'll be doing some coyote hunting at a friends ranch tomorrow. He shot three coyotes in the last two weeks. :)

[Muggzy]

I had some CCI magnum large rifle primers given to me. They came in the
original box that looked like it had been water stained. Long story short....
they ALL fired. I tried them in 30-30, 30-06, .308. The person who gave them to me guessed that they were at least 8 years old and they had been stored in the guys garage.

[Para Driver]

I think for practice ammo, they are fine... a dud isn't going to spoil your day too much.

for hunting or self defense ammo, I might not use them....

[W.E.G.]

I'd test several lots from the batch before I invested my time and other reloading components in loading 10,000 rounds of ammo that may not be to my liking.

Unless there are signs of mishandling or contamination, they are probably as good as the day they were sold.

[richbug]

I had a few boxes of assorted CCI's given to me from the estate of a guy who died in the 70's. I loaded them this spring and the all went bang.

[Gunga Din]

Originally posted by gary.jeter
Unless there are signs of mishandling or contamination, they are probably as good as the day they were sold.
Exactly.

[Witchhunter]

This is what I wanted to hear:D

[bouncer50]

I have primer that i know are 20 years and older i never had any problem with them. :)

[High Road]

I thought I was the only one sitting on 10,000 primers ten years old. All small primers for .223. Bought all them in 94' This is good news. I will crank up the Dillon 550 now.

[pumpkinheaver]

Are they large rifle or small rifle primers? If they are small rifle primers they should be allright to use. If Large rifle you better sent them to me for proper disposal. LOL:)

[ratas calientes]

I wouldn't stand in front of ammo with 100-year-old primers, let alone any with 10-year-old primers. Stored inside and in an ammo can - they will be just fine.

[ronnymi]

I just finished shooting up my reloads using the lg rifle primers that I got from my Dad just before he died. He bought them in the early 60's. Not one misfire out of 1000 rounds. They sat on his reloading bench in the basement for over 40 years. I wouldn't worry about some 10 year old primes.
Ron

[broncobisley1]

I'm bummed out that I just ran out of some 20 year old shotshell primers and powder that someone gave me. :( Oh, well it lasted a while though. Not a single misfire in over 1,000 shotshells.:) I helped an older gentleman out, and as we were talking the subject turned to firearms. After finding out that I reloaded, he gave a bunch of reloading stuff that had been gathering dust for the last 18 years or so.

Now, I'm just looking for another donor of old powder and primers. :D I especially like the old powder cans. Once they are empty, I use them to decorate the mantle, ect....:fal: So have no fear, 10 years old is fine, especially since it sounds like they were stored correctly.

[yovinny]

I work for a company that machines and hardens rail road components. We are the largest user of plastic explosive in the country outside of the Govt. We have an inclosed blasting chamber and are constantly getting stuff from the local police that has to be demo'ed. Everything from bring back grenades to old ammo and reloading supplies to old explosives. I've seen 100 year old ammo and 50 year old primers and powder with cans rusted through and stuff you just wouldent believe. It **ALL** goes secondary explosion in the chamber. So even if it's old and might not be as fresh or strong as you'd like, it's not dead. Primers and det's are very close and are MADE to withstand moisture. When you can set off a 50yr old box of primers with a det. and have nothing left, you earn a healthy respect for this stuff. YOOO Vinny