The Law of Large Numbers.

[Downeaster]

I've been shooting since 1962 or '63.

I've shot shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers (and a couple of more interesting military items).

I've had failures to feed and the odd failure to extract, and lots of failures to fire with rimfire ammo.

In all that time, and uncounted thousands of rounds of ammo, I've NEVER had a squib round, a live-fire double feed, or a stovepipe on a centerfire weapon.

While training at the NRA Instructor school, I had two doublefeeds and a stovepipe on a Beretta 92.

Today, I dug out some relatively new reloads (2006) in .45ACP and took my SIG to the pit for a little recreation/training. I had not one but THREE squibs out of 100 rounds. Fortunately, all three had enough power to exit the barrel, just not enough to cycle the slide.

I did notice a little acidic smell when I opened the ammo can, I'm thinking I might have a little powder degradation problem.

Guess I better shoot all that old stuff up and reload it.

Darn...

[arizona-hermit]

Downeaster how do you store your ammo?

I am still shooting up 60 year old .45 rounds with no problems.

Powder degradation is 'usually' associated with storage issues such as extreme temperature variations, water damage, etc, etc, etc.

Reloading is probably your best bet if you are already experiencing this problem.

Enjoy!

[Downeaster]

Downeaster how do you store your ammo?

I am still shooting up 60 year old .45 rounds with no problems.

Powder degradation is 'usually' associated with storage issues such as extreme temperature variations, water damage, etc, etc, etc.

Reloading is probably your best bet if you are already experiencing this problem.

Enjoy!

Stored in sealed ammo cans in a basement that stays 60 degrees or thereabouts pretty much year around. I've shot 20 year old reloads and never had a problem, not sure what's up with this batch, but I don't think it's storage issues.

[blue68f100]

Well if your got that smell off of the powder it's gone bad. Time to fertilize the yard, or burn it off. Basements seam to run high in humidity which is harder than heat on breaking down powders. You may have not got the can sealed good. I'm still shooting powders from the late 70's without any problems.

As far as ammo storage, I have started sealing my reloads with the vac/seal food saver bags. I store 200 rounds/ bag to make it easier to handle.

[greener]

Long term storage would probably be better with a little silica gel drying agent and a sealed container. Moisture is probably the biggest problem. Corrosion is a sure sign of moisture.

[bgreenea3]

My reloads usually get shot up before they have a chance to deteriorate....they don't hang around long enough

[Mr. Nail]

Mine either. You cant expect ammo to perform like new when its decades old.

[Downeaster]

Mine either. You cant expect ammo to perform like new when its decades old.

I've been working diligently on that problem. Couple of days ago a guy from work came over and we went to the pit and "disposed" of all the 2006 ammo and made a pretty good dent in the 2008 vintage. Did get a couple of more squibs on the 2006 batch.

It's a dirty job, but...

[greener]

Mine either. You cant expect ammo to perform like new when its decades old.

I've been working diligently on that problem. Couple of days ago a guy from work came over and we went to the pit and "disposed" of all the 2006 ammo and made a pretty good dent in the 2008 vintage. Did get a couple of more squibs on the 2006 batch.

It's a dirty job, but...

That's above and beyond the call of duty.

I should have old ammo lying about, but it seems to evaporate. I load it up and next thing I know, it's gone. Mice?

[Downeaster]

I should have old ammo lying about, but it seems to evaporate. I load it up and next thing I know, it's gone. Mice?

Lead moths. Boogers will eat it all up on ya if ya ain't keerful. I find that the high temperatures and gasses formed when igniting the main charge tends to discourage them.