Ammo crates - which would you open/use first?

[The Kurgan]

Stupid question perhaps, but how can you tell what year your ammo was manufactured in? I am assuming my last 3 crates were vintage 1970's by the fact that there were two stripper clips per greenish cardboard box, with the whole thing sealed in a big sardine can. BTW, not one dud in 6000 rounds. I bet this stuff will keep for another 50 years easy.

 

[Stevo]

There's a two digit year code on the headstamp. Markings on the case may not exactly match due to packing the case sometime after ammo manufacture.

 

[Zokakoka]

I would start at which ever package is opened first or repacked, them being exposed to air will make them get 'old' quicker. The ones soldered in the tin boxes can last for a veryy long time. But if both are packaged equally I would shoot the oldest ammo first.

 

[Stevo]

I would start at which ever package is opened first or repacked, them being exposed to air will make them get 'old' quicker. The ones soldered in the tin boxes can last for a veryy long time. But if both are packaged equally I would shoot the oldest ammo first.

Some of the tins aren't as well packed as they appear.

I've had two cases where the bottom panel of the tin wasn't soldered in at all. The top still had the regular two pounds of solder but the bottom would fall right out when the tin was emptied and turned upside down.

 

[Zokakoka]

Some of the tins aren't as well packed as they appear.

I've had two cases where the bottom panel of the tin wasn't soldered in at all. The top still had the regular two pounds of solder but the bottom would fall right out when the tin was emptied and turned upside down.

Hmm.. never thought of that... Guess I will be checking mine to see which ones are fully sealed. So far from the crates I've opened they have all been good, but I can definitely see that being a possibility.

 

[7mmlefty]

I would start at which ever package is opened first or repacked, them being exposed to air will make them get 'old' quicker. The ones soldered in the tin boxes can last for a veryy long time. But if both are packaged equally I would shoot the oldest ammo first.

I agree.... I just got a thousand round case of open box Check ammo manufactured in 79. Its definitely getting burned first.

Compared to my 1997 manufactured, heavy plastic sealed bullets.