Table of Contents
Is corroded ammo safe to shoot?
Generally, yes. If factory centerfire cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. If the cases and bullets are clean, smooth, and not corroded, the rounds should shoot fine.
Will wet ammunition fire?
If you drop your rimfire cartridge in the snow or it gets wet in the rain, it should not be used. The cartridge may fail to fire due to partial ignition of the primer or propellant or otherwise malfunction, resulting in a possible bore obstruction.
Do bullets corrode?
Any ammunition that is made of metal will be vulnerable to corrosion. Most modern bullets are made with lead or lead alloys. Because these minerals contain little-to-no iron, the damage you see on most bullets probably isn’t rust, but a different form of corrosion.
Should ammo be stored in ammo cans?
Preserving the Shelf Life of Your Ammo You shouldn’t have too much of a problem storing ammo around your house. As long as you keep them away from moisture and extreme heat, your rounds should be fine. Fortunately, ammo cans are a great way to keep your ammunition protected against moisture.
What happens if ammunition gets wet?
If this ammo gets wet, there’s a very good chance water will enter into the cartridge, will wet the gunpowder, and then will not fire at all when put into a firearm. The water making contact with the gunpowder will render it inert.
What is considered corrosive ammo?
Corrosive ammunition is ammunition that uses a primer with chemicals that, when ignited, leave a residue of corrosive salts. Most often, these primers have potassium chlorate or sodium perchlorate which, when burned, decomposes into potassium chloride or sodium chloride.
What causes ammo to corrode?
What makes ammo “corrosive”? Generally speaking, primers are the problem. When corrosive ammunition is fired, the ignited primers leave a residue of corrosive salts. Typically these primers contain potassium chlorate, or sodium petrochlorate which, when burned, change into potassium chloride or sodium chloride.
How to clean corrosive AK ammo?
Cleaning Corrosive AK Ammo with Hot Water Make sure the water not only goes through the barrel but also the gas tube where most of the salts will settle. We also run the spring, bolt, and piston through the water. Afterwards, just let the water dry and clean as usual!
Is it safe to shoot old ammo?
If cartridges show any signs of rust or corrosion (especially around the primer), regardless of the date of manufacture, they are not safe to shoot. Corrosion is an indication that moisture has contaminated the round. However, if you don’t feel safe shooting old rounds, even if there are no signs of corrosion, don’t do it.
Is milsurp ammo corrosive?
We love our milsurp (military surplus) ammunition for our AK’s, but some of them are “corrosive” and require special cleaning after a range day. Sounds hard? It isn’t if you follow our guide that covers why some ammo is corrosive and how to quickly clean it so your gun doesn’t rust.
What is the shelf-life of ammo?
The truth is, no one knows the exact shelf-life for ammunition. This is mostly because there are so many variables that can degrade cartridge integrity, the most common being exposure to moisture, heat, and sunlight.