Dispose Bullets Permit For Free

Ammunition doesn't ?expire? per se, but the gunpowder looses potency over time. The largest risk to shooting old ammunition isn't a failure to fire, it's the risk that you will actually fire the shot and it doesn't have enough momentum to make it out the barrel.

At the time of purchase, the code or serial number would be recorded along with the purchaser's information by a licensed dealer. Later, when a bullet or cartridge case is found at a crime scene, the bullet or spent cartridge could be quickly traced back to the purchaser.

What's the shelf life of ammo? Modern ammo is made to last over a decade (and possibly up to twenty years), provided you stick to proper storage practices.

Most ammo manufacturers give a rough estimate of 10 years life span. While bullets don't have an expiration date in the typical sense, they can definitely go bad over time. However, if you store ammo properly and keep it in a cool, dry place, most bullets and shells can last almost indefinitely.

After my experience of shooting thousands of different rounds more than 50 years old, I would advise you not to ?dispose? of any old ammo. As long as it has been kept dry and isn't corroded, it will probably fire.

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. Many ballistics experts who have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems.

Dispose of Unserviceable Ammunition: You should dispose of any ammunition that has been exposed to fire or water, as it may be dangerous when fired. When disposing of ammunition, do not bury it or dump it in water. Most of the time, you can return unserviceable ammunition directly to the manufacturer.