I've shot 60 year old milsurp ammo before without any misfires or hangfires, and with good accuracy.

I have some 8 x 56R ammo that is supposed to be from the late thirties. I have never had a misfire in hundreds of rounds. It came packed in stipper clips, 5 rounds to a clip and 5 clips in a paper-wrapped package, all in a ammo can/tin. Its at least 60 years old but has been kept properly. BTW its accuracy isn't too bad either.
I usually shoot at the range enough to eat up ammo.
I would suggest getting a new box of your favorite stuff every year and shooting half of it at the range to check and set the zero on your gun. Then hunt with the rest knowing you have "new" stuff that is zeroed.

Edited by - 8mm/06 on 01/03/2002 22:32:30

I've shot old stuff(15-20 yrs old) against new stuff just bought from the store. If it is stored properly you visually can't tell the difference. Accuracy, no significant difference. If it is starting to corrode than it wasn't stored properly and all bets are off. Ammo 2-3 years old....unless it's stored in an environment with moisture it should be good. A lot od ammo sits on the store shelf that long in smaller stores.