shell shelf life

[TKE921]

Assuming they are kept in the house at normal temp and humidity how long can one reasonably expect shotgun shells to perform the same as the day they were made?

[ol bob]

Forever

[Yoder409]

Forever

More or less.   Yep.

[MO_HUNTER]

I had this discussion with a friend the other day. I think in all the years I have hunted I have only had 2-3 shells not work. I still have some ammo from 98 that one of my guns likes, but they don't manufacture it anymore.

[Turkeybutt]

I think if you store them in a cool dry place you shouldn't have a problem. I had 38/357 ammo that was 25 to 30 years old and only had one misfire.
Recently i used some shotgun shells I had for small game that was at least 25 years old and i didn't have a problem.

[Ihuntoldschool]

Plastic hulls?  2.5 lifetimes. 

[DMTJAGER]

I have spoken with actual supposed product experts from both Federal and Winchester on loaded ammunition shelf life and with product experts from multiple powder manufacturers and they all said if properly stored in a dry climate controlled low humidity environment shelf life of loaded ammunition, powder and primers is essentially thay all will last longer than you will. 

[Greg Massey]

Longer than i will be able to shoot them...

[Cowboy]

Yep. Agree with that. 

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[ChesterCopperpot]

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[g8rvet]

My dad owned a gun store when I was a kid and some guy was selling his guns.  He had two paper sacks full of ammo - mostly paper shelled shotgun.  My dad said he did not want them, but did buy his guns.  The guy gave the shells to me and my brother.  We shot them for several years.  I can't recall a misfire, but some would not go in the chamber.  We carried a ramrod for those that got stuck in the gun after firing.  They were at least 15-20 years old.  This would have been mid to late 70s and plastic was the norm by then. 

[jmerchant1]

I agree with the consensus. Store them properly and don't give it another thought.

[Dtrkyman]

Just took my nephew out shooting recently.   Have a pile of old .410 ammo from the 60s 70s would be my guess, they all shot as expected.

Other than paper which may even still work, any plastic shells that are not corroded on the brass would be good to go!