"expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
11-24-2006, 07:21 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 5
"expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
While cleaning my gun cabinet I found a box of Lightfield Hybrid 2 3/4" sabot slugs - probably several years old I'd guess. The box itself looks different than the newones that are sold, different picture and lettering on it. I opened the box and the slugs themselves look ok - maybe a slight bit of discoloration at the top where the slug itself is visible (the actual slug is more white-grey in color when compared to my brand new slugs that are dark grey). Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had comments/experience with shooting old slugs out of your guns and if it made any difference at all in accuracy, etc.... Is there any reason for shotgun slugs to "go bad" or "expire"?
11-24-2006, 08:07 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: "expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
ORIGINAL: backridge11
While cleaning my gun cabinet I found a box of Lightfield Hybrid 2 3/4" sabot slugs - probably several years old I'd guess. The box itself looks different than the newones that are sold, different picture and lettering on it. I opened the box and the slugs themselves look ok - maybe a slight bit of discoloration at the top where the slug itself is visible (the actual slug is more white-grey in color when compared to my brand new slugs that are dark grey). Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had comments/experience with shooting old slugs out of your guns and if it made any difference at all in accuracy, etc.... Is there any reason for shotgun slugs to "go bad" or "expire"?
While cleaning my gun cabinet I found a box of Lightfield Hybrid 2 3/4" sabot slugs - probably several years old I'd guess. The box itself looks different than the newones that are sold, different picture and lettering on it. I opened the box and the slugs themselves look ok - maybe a slight bit of discoloration at the top where the slug itself is visible (the actual slug is more white-grey in color when compared to my brand new slugs that are dark grey). Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had comments/experience with shooting old slugs out of your guns and if it made any difference at all in accuracy, etc.... Is there any reason for shotgun slugs to "go bad" or "expire"?
11-24-2006, 06:51 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Where the ducks don't come no more
Posts: 4,420
RE: "expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
I make my living in the sales industry, selling guns, ammo and the related stuff. Our shop does well, times are good.
I would love to find the wonderful ammo company sales rep who started the rumor that ammunition has a shelf life such as milk, cheese and AA batteries.
We honestly have people come by the shop with coffee cans full of 12 ga shells, that have never seen the light of day. Apparently, they think we are an ammo dump...well...if they are still good, we will take them, and shoot them ourselves! No matter how much we try and tell people that these shells are still very functional, they just refuse to believe us! Well...better we shoot them then they thrown them in the trash.
Shells only go "bad" when the brass rusts real bad, or if you get them wet. Most modern shells are waterproof.
As said, those slugs of yours are good to go.
I would love to find the wonderful ammo company sales rep who started the rumor that ammunition has a shelf life such as milk, cheese and AA batteries.
We honestly have people come by the shop with coffee cans full of 12 ga shells, that have never seen the light of day. Apparently, they think we are an ammo dump...well...if they are still good, we will take them, and shoot them ourselves! No matter how much we try and tell people that these shells are still very functional, they just refuse to believe us! Well...better we shoot them then they thrown them in the trash.
Shells only go "bad" when the brass rusts real bad, or if you get them wet. Most modern shells are waterproof.
As said, those slugs of yours are good to go.
11-24-2006, 08:35 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Lake County, Florida
Posts: 3,313
RE: "expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
i found some old shotgun shells that my great grandfather use to have. they are still in the original Winchester Super X box. the shells themselves are made out of paper. they look brand new due to being free of moisture but i wouldn't shoot them. they are keep sakes that i put away. i'm not saying they would be bad to shoot, i'd just rather hand them down to my son when he's older and would hope he'll do the same.
11-25-2006, 07:45 AM
#8
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: "expiration date" for shotgun slugs?
ORIGINAL: CamoCop
i found some old shotgun shells that my great grandfather use to have. they are still in the original Winchester Super X box. the shells themselves are made out of paper. they look brand new due to being free of moisture but i wouldn't shoot them. they are keep sakes that i put away. i'm not saying they would be bad to shoot, i'd just rather hand them down to my son when he's older and would hope he'll do the same.
i found some old shotgun shells that my great grandfather use to have. they are still in the original Winchester Super X box. the shells themselves are made out of paper. they look brand new due to being free of moisture but i wouldn't shoot them. they are keep sakes that i put away. i'm not saying they would be bad to shoot, i'd just rather hand them down to my son when he's older and would hope he'll do the same.
