PRIMERS STORED LIFE - The Firearms Forum

WILD CAT · 02-20-2010, 04:56 PM

I live in a country where reloading components supply is very irregular. "just in case" I usually keep in store a cuantity of powder and primers that may last for my needs, that is from 3 to 5 years of reloading. I cast my own bullets and have the necessary equipment for all the calibers I use. My concern is about how long primers can last. I keep them in their original packages, inside air, humidity, temperature resisting containers that can even resist submerging in water. I wonder that given the described care, do the primers by some chemical cause deteriorate? if so what would be the aproximate period of time I would expect them to be reliable?

I have looked for information about this particular point in many sources, but it seems a bit difficult to get an answer. I know that the origin or lot of primers differs, so I would be satisfied with information although it is not exact 100 %. Just an idea.

jdon72 · 02-20-2010, 06:23 PM

I have kept WLP primers since 1994 in various environments including in humidity, attics with hot humid air, and garages. I Used them last summer and just reloaded the last few hundred two days ago. They still work fine. And have old powder from 94 as well(win 231 and wsl in original metal container) and they all shoot fine. Over 15 yrs. I of courst bought fresh stuf and use those as well.

Rotate your old stock out and fresh stock in. Best way.

J

old semperfi · 02-20-2010, 07:40 PM

your primers if stored as you said will last almost forever.i would rotate them as was suggested b-4 but they will be good for years.i recently found 1000 small mag pistol primers that were put in the wrong place while on a move and they were over twenty years old-worked fine and not one misfire old semperfi

JLA · 02-20-2010, 08:15 PM

Anybody of you old-timers

remember the old "staynless" primers from like the 60s and 70s? I came accross a bunch of them from an old friend of mine who recently passed and the packages were dated like 1968 or something... They shot just fine, as did the W296 and W231 I got from him of the same vintage...

medalguy · 02-20-2010, 08:21 PM

Way back in 1981 P bought a bunch of reloading supplies from a shop going out of business-- primers and powder. I just recently finihed loading and shooting the last of the SP primers I bought them. They all worked fine.

Keep in mind many people are shooting ammo made during or even before WW II and that was 70 plus years ago. If the ammo was well made back then (US loads) it still shoots well today. Ammo from third world countries made 5 years ago may not go boom today, so it's the quality of the original product that really determines longevity. Most modern primers will last almost indefinitely if stored in the original containers and away from high heat and moisture.

madmantrapper · 02-20-2010, 08:24 PM

I've loaded ammo from the 60's and 70's that still shoot as good as the day I loaded them. I have powder and primers that are at least twenty years old that still works fine.

todd51 · 02-20-2010, 08:38 PM

Old timers, old primers what can I tell you.

Do you mean old primers like these. I have forgotten how long I have had these but it could well be "way back in 1968"

neilin · 02-20-2010, 11:07 PM

My educated guess is the primers will be fine for over 30 years. When they approach the 50 year mark the metal may be a bit brittle (hard), and when the hammer strikes one there may be a delayed ignition or no ignition. Nothing scientific here, just an observation from my own experiences.

The_Rifleman · 02-21-2010, 02:49 AM

When I got the Eddystone M1917 off of my dad, this is the box of ammo that came with it.

They fired fine.

JLA · 02-21-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd51

Old timers, old primers what can I tell you.

Do you mean old primers like these. I have forgotten how long I have had these but it could well be "way back in 1968"

yes sir all that stuff i got from pyle had a box of that kleenbore stuff too. They also shot fine

tEN wOLVES · 02-21-2010, 06:26 PM

I have some primers that are 27 years old at least in my keeping, and they're fine, they just need to be kept in a clean dry place when stored.

Regards

tEN wOLVES

WILD CAT · 02-22-2010, 03:21 PM

Thank You all guys for your valuable informations.

02-20-2010, 04:56 PM	#1
WILD CAT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 107	PRIMERS STORED LIFE I live in a country where reloading components supply is very irregular. "just in case" I usually keep in store a cuantity of powder and primers that may last for my needs, that is from 3 to 5 years of reloading. I cast my own bullets and have the necessary equipment for all the calibers I use. My concern is about how long primers can last. I keep them in their original packages, inside air, humidity, temperature resisting containers that can even resist submerging in water. I wonder that given the described care, do the primers by some chemical cause deteriorate? if so what would be the aproximate period of time I would expect them to be reliable? I have looked for information about this particular point in many sources, but it seems a bit difficult to get an answer. I know that the origin or lot of primers differs, so I would be satisfied with information although it is not exact 100 %. Just an idea. --> Last edited by WILD CAT; 02-20-2010 at 05:09 PM..

02-20-2010, 06:23 PM	#2
jdon72 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 340	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE I have kept WLP primers since 1994 in various environments including in humidity, attics with hot humid air, and garages. I Used them last summer and just reloaded the last few hundred two days ago. They still work fine. And have old powder from 94 as well(win 231 and wsl in original metal container) and they all shoot fine. Over 15 yrs. I of courst bought fresh stuf and use those as well. Rotate your old stock out and fresh stock in. Best way. J

02-20-2010, 07:40 PM	#3
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE your primers if stored as you said will last almost forever.i would rotate them as was suggested b-4 but they will be good for years.i recently found 1000 small mag pistol primers that were put in the wrong place while on a move and they were over twenty years old-worked fine and not one misfire old semperfi

02-20-2010, 08:15 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE Anybody of you old-timers remember the old "staynless" primers from like the 60s and 70s? I came accross a bunch of them from an old friend of mine who recently passed and the packages were dated like 1968 or something... They shot just fine, as did the W296 and W231 I got from him of the same vintage... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-20-2010, 08:21 PM	#5
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE Way back in 1981 P bought a bunch of reloading supplies from a shop going out of business-- primers and powder. I just recently finihed loading and shooting the last of the SP primers I bought them. They all worked fine. Keep in mind many people are shooting ammo made during or even before WW II and that was 70 plus years ago. If the ammo was well made back then (US loads) it still shoots well today. Ammo from third world countries made 5 years ago may not go boom today, so it's the quality of the original product that really determines longevity. Most modern primers will last almost indefinitely if stored in the original containers and away from high heat and moisture.

02-20-2010, 08:24 PM	#6
madmantrapper Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Carroll County, Maryland Posts: 34	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE I've loaded ammo from the 60's and 70's that still shoot as good as the day I loaded them. I have powder and primers that are at least twenty years old that still works fine.

02-20-2010, 08:38 PM	#7
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,571	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE Old timers, old primers what can I tell you. Do you mean old primers like these. I have forgotten how long I have had these but it could well be "way back in 1968" __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member Last edited by todd51; 04-23-2013 at 08:03 PM..

02-20-2010, 11:07 PM	#8
neilin V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Clinton, MO Posts: 116	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE My educated guess is the primers will be fine for over 30 years. When they approach the 50 year mark the metal may be a bit brittle (hard), and when the hammer strikes one there may be a delayed ignition or no ignition. Nothing scientific here, just an observation from my own experiences. __________________ I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can still cut through all the political muck.

02-21-2010, 02:49 AM	#9
The_Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 872	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE When I got the Eddystone M1917 off of my dad, this is the box of ammo that came with it. They fired fine. __________________ Debate isn't "uncivil" behavior. Pointing out illogical reasoning is a legitimate counter argument. That is the problem with internet forum mods, they rarely understand what constitutes legitimate, honest and civil debate. They reward the trolls and annoy the people genuinely trying communicate. I don't really like this place anyway, have fun with your power trip. ...nuff said.

02-21-2010, 06:26 PM	#11
tEN wOLVES V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northridge, California Posts: 174	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE I have some primers that are 27 years old at least in my keeping, and they're fine, they just need to be kept in a clean dry place when stored. Regards tEN wOLVES __________________ NRA, SASS #69595, NCOWS #3123, RATTS # 369, SCORRS, BROW, ROWSS#40, Leather Shop

02-22-2010, 03:21 PM	#12
WILD CAT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 107	Re: PRIMERS STORED LIFE Thank You all guys for your valuable informations.