How long do bullits last.

Two Rivers · 01-11-2011, 05:47 PM

I have some 45 STX rounds that are over ten years old. The box has been under the front seat of my truck for a year. I thought I lost them.
I live in the midwest and they have been in some very hot and cold weather..

I am going to a mandatory gun class before the Gestapo will present the carry permit. I have to fire there and don`t want to make a fool of myself with duds.

mossguy · 01-11-2011, 05:49 PM

Just buy new ones and take the old ones to the range and practice.

Best,
Tom

flatbutt · 01-11-2011, 05:50 PM

If stored dry they should be fine.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

They'll be just fine! If you don't trust them, send them to me!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Don't waste those STX rounds at a range, get some hardball at the local gun/sporting goods store instead.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Bullits can last long if you don't crash them. Not as long as a green 911S, but still pretty long. There is an individual under the pseudo of PWD72s who is very knowledgeable about Bullits. I bet he will chime in.

audiman08 · 01-11-2011, 06:28 PM

I still use old (>10 years old) military surplus rounds in my old bolt action rifles for practice. I've yet to have a dud...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

My friend just fired some WWI surplus ammo for his Lee Enfield in .303 British and the ammo was fine... Really old ammo may have mercury-based primers that are corrosive, so a thorough cleaning after firing is strongly recommended.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

I have a bunch of Czech 8mm Mauser surplus dated 1948-1950 and it all works just fine. I wouldn't be concerned with 10 year old ammo at all.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

They've dug up 150 year old cartridge ammo that fired. The velocity standard deviation was off a bit but it all went 'bang'. Ten years is nothing.
Jim

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It's all about storage. I have a number of older vintage military surplus type guns in a variety of calibers - old Russian stuff, old German stuff, old American stuff. All the old military surplus type ammo works fine although as said above, clean everything thoroughly as soon as possible after shooting due to corrosive primers.

Two Rivers · 01-12-2011, 06:09 AM

Thanks all.
I will save the STX rounds for the gentleman making that unwanted visit in the middle of the night. Because I know they will not be trying to sell me girl scout cookies :-}

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

Thirty year old hand loads. Keep them dry and it's all good.

Check the date on the box.

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

My father in law took a bullet back with him from Vietnam, lodged in his neck/shoulder area. He says it's doing fine and still in the same spot.

sammyg2 · 01-12-2011, 08:15 AM

Sorry in advance, couldn't help it

Gogar · 01-12-2011, 08:38 AM

I agree with Sammy, I think Bullitts are good for about 100-150K miles, which is fine, but nowhere near as reliable as a . . . .

well . . .

set up . . . . . .

Oh forget it.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I fired some original Frankford Arsenal 45-70 rounds in my trapdoor Springfield once. The ammo was made in the 1880s and was about 100 years old when fired. I know, collector ammo, etc. but I just wanted to see how accurate the rifle was with its original, intended ammo. The only cartridges that I have found to "go bad" are .22 rimfire. After 20 or 30 years the primer compound will dry up and fall out of the case rim, especially if fired in a semi- auto where the cartridge gets jerked around. Otherwise, I have never had a cartridge that failed to fire because of age.