Hummer
AH senior member
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The three biggest enemies of ammo (besides politicians) is AIR AND HEAT and moisture. Per Frankford Arsenal Engineers I worked with they estimate the life of MILSPEC ammo that has never been subjected to AIR/HEAT is 125 years. Once a can has been opened the estimate is 75 years stored in COOL DRY CONDITIONS. This is why military ammo crates have a wire seal on them which tells the ammo surveillance people it is still good to go. At Aberdeen we tested from -65 below 0° to +140F. I had Australian Ordnance folks visiting Aberdeen tell me they tested to 175F as there are areas there that temps inside vehicle compartments get that hot. I was told the room could be taken down to -90F.
In our testing at Aberdeen we started the below 0 testing first. We came back two days later and the room was 140F and I understand now can go to 160F. Once we finished in high temp the remaining ammo was sent for destruction as it is no longer reliable.
This is why MILSPEC ammo has primer sealant (aka waterproofing) and mouth lacquer of military ammo.
Waterproofing ammo with sealant is done by the military for two reasons, it keeps moisture out of the inside of the case, it keeps the original state of the propellant from deteriorating and prevents GALVANIC ACTION. (see below)
Best I can tell the several of ammo companies no longer seal primers with the lacquer at the edge of the primers so you can do it yourself. You can do it with nail polish and a paper clip as follows:
For rifle I take a 20 round plastic ammo box and set it on desk and take a paper clip, open it up so you have a straight section and the remainder you hold onto. Dip the straight section in nail polish about 3/8" and then apply it around the edges of the primer and apply enough so it flows 360° around and remove the case and pull it across a piece of newspaper so the excess is removed that may get out of the groove. Replace it in box and go to next one. This is the ONLY use for newspapers if you don't have a puppy or parakeet.
For this reason most top flight US shooters don't load their match ammo till about two weeks before the National Championships. The main reason is brass and copper in contact can react and is known as Galvanic Action. Look that up and you will have lots to read and will really get your attention.
If you have to carry ammo in trunk put it in insulated carriers. Mine is carried on front floor passenger side. Obviously storing in attic is bad as well.
Don't hide your ammo in a stable as the urine from the animals will attack the cases unless they are in MILSPEC cans.
Also don't expose your powder to air/heat/moisture etc.
I now have a heat sealer and a roll of polyethylene sleeves. If I were going on a hunt I would seal five rounds at a time in these bags and upon arrival in-country open one maybe two bags at a time.
Bottom line is treat your ammo like your wife as if you don't we all know what that leads to haha.
In our testing at Aberdeen we started the below 0 testing first. We came back two days later and the room was 140F and I understand now can go to 160F. Once we finished in high temp the remaining ammo was sent for destruction as it is no longer reliable.
This is why MILSPEC ammo has primer sealant (aka waterproofing) and mouth lacquer of military ammo.
Waterproofing ammo with sealant is done by the military for two reasons, it keeps moisture out of the inside of the case, it keeps the original state of the propellant from deteriorating and prevents GALVANIC ACTION. (see below)
Best I can tell the several of ammo companies no longer seal primers with the lacquer at the edge of the primers so you can do it yourself. You can do it with nail polish and a paper clip as follows:
For rifle I take a 20 round plastic ammo box and set it on desk and take a paper clip, open it up so you have a straight section and the remainder you hold onto. Dip the straight section in nail polish about 3/8" and then apply it around the edges of the primer and apply enough so it flows 360° around and remove the case and pull it across a piece of newspaper so the excess is removed that may get out of the groove. Replace it in box and go to next one. This is the ONLY use for newspapers if you don't have a puppy or parakeet.
For this reason most top flight US shooters don't load their match ammo till about two weeks before the National Championships. The main reason is brass and copper in contact can react and is known as Galvanic Action. Look that up and you will have lots to read and will really get your attention.
If you have to carry ammo in trunk put it in insulated carriers. Mine is carried on front floor passenger side. Obviously storing in attic is bad as well.
Don't hide your ammo in a stable as the urine from the animals will attack the cases unless they are in MILSPEC cans.
Also don't expose your powder to air/heat/moisture etc.
I now have a heat sealer and a roll of polyethylene sleeves. If I were going on a hunt I would seal five rounds at a time in these bags and upon arrival in-country open one maybe two bags at a time.
Bottom line is treat your ammo like your wife as if you don't we all know what that leads to haha.
