I understand your concerns, and agree mostly with what you've had to say. My father was a reloader for most of his life and in the 1960s pretty much gave up reloading. He gifted me all of his equipment and components. It is 2020 almost 2021 and I still use powders and primers from my fathers stash from the 60's. It is all pistol powders and both small and large pistol primers. 50+ year old powders and primers. Maybe I've been lucky but we have always kept them stored in cool dry areas. Temperatures ranging from maybe 50-70 degrees and humidity levels below 50%. They still work great and I have never had a misfire or a malfunction of any type with this material. I have been vaccum sealing my loaded/reloaded ammo for over 15 years and believe it works to protect the ammo for moisture, which can be the worst influence on ammo and components.
Iv'e had primers stored for years from 30 degrees to 120 degrees with no issues. I have hand loaded thousands of primers with my dirty fingertips and NEVER had a misfire. Primers last FOREVER!
shaverlocal yep guys are always trying to overthink this stuff,,,, you stored them and used them in not the best way and all is fine,,,,,,stored properly or even just pretty darn close to it yes they will outlast you,,, I personally have used primers that were date maked to be 65 years old and not stored in thes best possible way and they worked just fine,,,,, would I use them if at all questionable on how long or well they were stored for my deffensive loads hell no,,,but for target loads hell yes the worst that will happen if ya get a bad one is that the gun will not go bang,,,no big deal just pull the bullets and reuse the usable components again,,,, your chance of finding a bad primer now and then is there even with brand new primers if you load enough, STOP OVER THINKING THIS STUFF GUYS,,, just put your primers in something like a small rubbermade toto that seals mostly airtight throw it in the bottom of you clothes closset and rest easy,,,it's no more a fire danger than anything else you might have around the house that you never even think of and the temps will stay way more consistant than you might ever believe even in weather extreems the clothing also help keep a more even and lower humidity level,,,,then get some new to replace the old as you use the old for loads you are working on,,,,I have stored and used primers for the 40+ years I have reloaded and can count on one hand with a couple fingers left over the bad primers I have ever had,,, and I load about 12,000 rounds of just 9mm a year so I burn a LOT of primers,,,,more primers are damaged by dim wit handlers/reloaders with bad reloading practices than are by storage by a long way,,,having hands that are dirty oily or just not completely dry because of sweat or so on that will F**k up primers in a big hurry,,,, also get ready to cringe because I store my powder right next to my primers in another slightly bigger rubbermade tote in the bottom of my clothes closet and have for 40+ years,,, and my uncle that got me into reloading has been doing the same for 40 years prior to that,,, so stop making rocket science out of the simple guys.
Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they tend to get more sensitive, not less.
@@rcsontag sorry my math was off, Winchester large. Also have about 500 from a Co i think is no longer around ( S & W Alcan) S&W ammunition Co out of rock Creek, Ohio. These were in a basement until 2013 when i moved to NC. now they are in a nice dry spot. Have a great weekend.
I throw those little silica gel packets in the cabinet where I keep this stuff and I have a dehumidifier. My dad's 40+ year old shotgun primers work fine.
I've had great luck with 35 to 40 year old primers. As long as they're stored in cool dry enviroments (like my basement), they'll work great. This has bee my experience.
I moved into my current home in Jan 1987 and a bunch of “stuff” from my old house went directly into the attic on day one of the move in various plastic tubs (Christmas decorations, odds and ends, etc) and we’re lost “to the passage of time”…in 2010 we cleaned out the attic and went through the tubs (breaking down and becoming brittle from the attic condition) when I found two or so (one was open and spilled out into the bottom of the tub) 100 round sleeves of CCI small magnum pistol primers I had bought back in the early 70s (the boxes with the triangles in the logo)…keep in mind these were “stored” in an attic for about 23 years of Tennessee summer heat and winter cold with no thoughts of them. Just to calm my inquisitive nature, I loaded about a dozen or so into .357 magnum loads using Winchester 296 and every one performed perfectly…I eventually loaded everyone of them using various powders and bullet weights with the same perfect results 🤔🤔🤔…would I trust my life to them, NO…but it expanded my thinking that sometimes we tend to overthink such things…but this is just my singular example, YMMV 😐😐😐…just sayin’ 😊😊😊
Those are great results! I wonder if people would see some changes in long range accuracy type situations IDK. Some have reported that their primers did fail after some time in storage so I really wonder. I guess better safe than sorry works here.
@@TreeTopFlier ive been reloading for all most 50 years and i have never seen a primer go bad just from getting old...spill your coffe on em and all bets are off but i still have powders and primers from the early 80,s that are just fine....
I used to hand load with a Lee kit (no press, smack it with a mallet). I bought several hundred CCI 500 Small Pistol primers and lost interest in reloading with a mallet. 35 years later I am back into it, this time with a press, and I came across my old primers. I have loaded and shot a couple of hundred of these old caps with no issues. They have survived 2 cross country moves and I'm sure I gave them no special attention over the years. I don't think you can ruin them, at least I couldn't neglect them enough to fail.
I wish 40,000 of my primers did not go bad. But they did. Started loading in the 70s. Those bad Winchester primers are not that old. I have older Remington rifle primers that did not go bad. Even installed longer firing pins. Only helped a little.
Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they may get more sensitive, not less.
I half expected the MFG guys to tell me that no one worries about age. But they didn't. My take away was there is a difference between going bang and producing consistent ignition. Sounds like you're getting good results maybe your storage situation was really good. Thanks for watching!
Just a quick comment, primers last forever if they are not compromised or contaminated, I've been reloading since 1980, with all the activities from then until now, I misplaced a box with all sizes of primers, IE: SP/SR/LP/LR also a few pounds of powder, I know they were first in basement then in a unheated garage.........fast forward to present day, I used all the components for handguns, regular & magnum, all shot 100% to recommended velocities, checked with chrono.........the primers will outlive you! ........ good luck & have fun
I do date primers and powder. I've been storing both, separately, in military ammo cans. The metal ones with the rubber seals. Those are stored in a humidity controlled basement that never goes below 60 or above 80 degrees. No sun. So far, so good... I think. I have primers from 2006 and 2008. Your idea of using a vacuum sealer struck me as a good idea. I use my vacuum sealer for more than just food, so that might work for me and would take up less room.
I think most people are over thinking this. I've had primers and powder stuffed in a cardboard box since 1979 when I quit reloading. I've moved 5 times since then storing said box in attics, basements, and a damp garage. When I started reloading again in 2018 not one primer failed and the powder still worked fine.
wood storage box prevents static discharge -when you become a capacitor in dry Winter air conditions. I seal my primers once loaded with nail polish. I store my primers in an airtight container with fully activated- indicating silica gel, i.e. if I don't see blue we have a moisture problem. Binary primer formulations are somewhat old school but they often contain hydroscopic ingredients and this why the composition 'sours' and deactivates them. Sinoxid is in my opinion the best formulation for longevity and consistent performance, used in Dynamit Nobel rounds.
I got a brick of primers in 1969 and used the last of them in the late 80s. Stored where no extreme temperature changes in the packaging they came in. Plastic packaging would probably extend the life even more.
I store my primers in my gun safe... that is kept in a heated/air conditioned leak free basement. Gun safe is also equipped with a dri-rod to reduce its relative humidity. Have shot primers that were very old, and ammo left over from WWII. Never had any major issues.
TTF, your videos have been a big help to me. I always appreciate the thoughtful commentary and practical demonstrations. If primers deteriorate before loading, wouldn't they also deteriorate in loaded rounds. If true, it seems loaded ammo would have a shelf life as a result, unless loading a primer into a round seals it somewhat from exposure.
I have no idea why, but I have 45/70 ammo I loaded many years ago that work great. I also have much newer, about 40,000 Winchester primers, that are trash. I installed longer firing pins. It only helped. Too many duds. Do not like pulling bullets. Do not like unreliable ammo. Posting this did not put a dime in my pocket. Just telling the truth.
I've used primers that are 12+ years old and have had not a problem. I experimented one time and put some primers in a jar of water for 2 months. When I loaded them in some empty cases and fired them , they were dramatically reduced in power but they did go off. I believe any reasonable storage method such as in an ammo can with dessicant would be enough for long term method.
Primers are bullet proof (no pun intended), keep them dry (and out of excess humidity) and they will last forever. If you want extra protection, store them in an ammo can with a little desiccant.
While it's probably not necessary, sealing primers in this manner can't hurt. My primers have been both colder than 50 and warmer than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and I've seen no issues. I would imagine primers in the distribution chain exceed these ranges all the time. Built ammo does just fine in far wider temperature ranges than 50-80, so it follows that the primers themselves will be fine as well.
The only primers that I've ever had go bad were some cheap Italian percussion caps. I don't think they had a sealant over the priming and I think the humidity got too them. After about 20 years on the shelf they still go off but it's more of a pop than a bang. Vac packing certainly wouldn't hurt. Thanks for the video.
I've always stored my primers separately by type in airtight .30 caliber ammo-cans (boxes) with a large desiccant bag in each and rotate them, I've never gotten a bad one yet.
Thats good for the primers for sure but may not be the safest according to the experts. The sealed container creates a chamber that would exaggerate the explosive capability of the primers in case of a fire. No judgement, ive done it too. But its not optimal for first responders.
@@TreeTopFlier I see your point, but if these detonate, a thin can is the least of my worries. I've seen the aftermath of an RCBS priming tube detonating with 15 Federal primers. Not a pretty sight. 0~o
Had a house fire years ago, one room was incinerated. I had 50 cal ammo cans with 223, 308, powder and primers. I had some loaded magazines on a desk that exploded. The stuff in the ammo cans survived.
@@danielbingham3124 good on you, those cans are very durable. Though it might be said you dodged a bullet there. 0~o sorry, couldn't help myself there. ^~^
Recently came across some old .38 Special components I am using up. The primers are CCI 500 Small Pistol . These were $8.99/1000 for an indication of age (I'm guessing mid 1980's). They have been off the floor in a dry & heated basement; on a shelf under a workbench. So far no issues.
my basement floods very time it rains , so my first go round with primers and powder both left me with rounds that wouldnt fire .since then i keep my powder tightly sealed and my primers in a ziplock bag .
Thank you for the 'little one' and pregnant women warnings. I always wash up after handling lead, just in case, and I prefer to carry my extra mags with lead-free ammo. The probability of me needing that extra mag is far less than the probability of harm from lead ammo. I don't want to feel that I have contributed to any heavy metal poisoning as I carry every day and reload on occassion.
Another incredibly helpful vid on reloading. Thanks. You've absolutely helped my reloading endeavors, especially with my Lee turret press. With regard to this video, luckily I'm old enough that a 10 year lifespan for primers is not an issue. I don't even buy green bananas anymore.
I just reloaded several thousand rounds with primers that I purchased in 1993. Stored in sealed ammo cans since then. Everything I've shot has gone bang on the first try.
I've just loaded 500 rounds with Alcan large pistol primers - a brand that hasn't been manufactured under that name since 1980. So they're at least 40 years old. EVERY one of them fired perfectly
You and I are somehow related there bud...I did the exact same thing with a butt load of primers that I hoarded. You apply strong logic and a good investigation (which I never did - and benefited from the insight you gained as a result). Thanks and keep up the good work. Safety first, everything else is a distant second place.
Very good informative video. Especially the warning about lead contamination. Children and toddlers put various items in their mouths constantly, including their fingers. Any contact with lead contaminated surface areas is a true danger to them. As you pointed out most individuals do not consider this exposure danger. Hopefully all your viewers will take this advice seriously but sadly as we have all currently seen, even a pandemic like Covid-19 brings out a lot of naysayers that disregard basic science and even just plain old common sense. Good Job.
I just got a lee single stage press its a ten year anniversary it came with 1k primers, but they could be 40 to 50 years old. Also came with a pound of powder, im going to experiment.
I keep my bricks of primers in an ammo can with brand new silica packets that I bought on Amazon. The bricks that I reload from, I’ll put those in a Ziplock with a silica packet and those go in a 30cal ammo can.
...I've kept all my primers that I've accumulated over the years...going back to AT LEAST 2008 and before...in GI ammo cans...best way to store everything....IMHO...
GI cans are great for maintaining a consistent environment for shelf life. The sealed metal container is not so good in the event of a fire for safety reasons, but probably the least of peoples worries at that point.
I buy lead specific soap to wash my hands real good after reloading and shooting. Also have lead wipes to bring with me shooting. My wife's lead levels were checked while she was pregnant and they said it was non existent.
I have some 30 year old primers that work perfectly fine. Packed with desiccant and stored in an air tight sealed with rubber gaskets. Kept at a constant 68-78 F temperature controlled environment. No moisture and no temperature fluctuations and they will last for a generation.
I used primers that were over 15 years old and just stored in a ziplok baggy unzipped I think and they fired fine along with rounds loaded around as old that were stored in plastic ammo boxes. Loaded in Colorado stored while living there and in Louisiana and fired in Iowa In fact I had zero misfires And had them stored in totes in storage facilities as well with no temperature control. Was extremely wary but totally surprised when they fired flawlessly about a year ago. I might have used that purple sealant on the primers but I don't remember. I have it and have used it, maybe then.🤷
I keep mine in a 50 cal ammo can with a silicone pack and oxygen absorber. Now i think i might go with your method. Already have the equipment for food storage.
Great topic I have primers that are 25 and 30 years old also a bunch of powder that was 30 years old. I made a trade several years ago for pickup truck load of reloading equipment and supplies. A fella was getting out of it. It was about 50 lb of powder I have finally used up all of the powder but I still have about a thousand primers left from that trade. I had no problems at all what powder that was at least 20 to 25 years old what are the primers. I have a dedicated room to reloading that the temperature is very controlled and dry. I do not see oh my primers. But after seeing this video what a great idea I do believe to seal your primers in a vacuum-sealed bag. I to date all of my primers as I buy them I also date my powder. That is the first thing I do with new supplies that come into my reloading room I do believe it is a good practice. Very good topic this one caught my eye is very useful. I've always been aware of the components and if always tested components that are many many years old. I have also been testing Factory ammunition that I purchased 30 and 40 years ago every 5 years I shoot half a box right along with my reloads come back at that same time. I am very interested to know how my ammunition Stacks up Overtime also. Thanks Tom
Great topic and info, I also do the vac seal when I purchase pre-primed brass, also great stuff on your recent post at The Reloaders Network im fairly new to casting and have done low budget reloading for a couple yrs now
Thanks, I have done a ton of reloading but I havent ventured down the cast road because I do not have a reliable source for scrap. I'm inching closer though. I just scored some range scrap today, not much mind you but maybe enough to get me started. Thanks for watching.
Very good video. I learned some time back that Windex (ammonia) is an excellent product to clean your guns with when using corrosive ammo. It really does work. A single wipe-down with a Windex soaked patch and there isn't any worry about corrosive ammo. The reason for this history lesson is that storage of that very same Windex bottle in my reloading room was a big mistake. "Exposure to chemicals is bad". YEP, it is. Even keeping the bottle in my reloading room led to problems. So your concern about a reloading room in the barn with the animals is a very valid concern. In my experience, keeping everything "clean and dry" is the main key. Long term storage is quite viable by limiting air exchange. I like the surplus ammo boxes with intact seals. The only exposure to oxygen that the primers get is when you open the box. A single moisture packet in that box and humidity isn't a problem either. And remember, no matter how old it is, black powder will still go boom if it's dry. I once read about a BP artillery shell that was dug out of a swamp. Soaking wet. Stored by the fireplace. Two weeks later (after it dried out) the fireplace set it off. The shell was almost 100 years old. Lead exposure. YES, it's important to be aware. But the thing to remember is that the highest levels of lead in the blood are caused by inhalation. Well documented. Simply practicing good hand washing whenever handling ammo components is a proven safe intervention. So, avoid eating or drinking - wash hands well when finished - and make sure you have good ventilation. Of course, disposable gloves are cheap and readily available now, so those can be used if one needs that extra step. I can attest that primers are fully viable for 15 years when stored as mentioned above. I don't think (think, not know for sure), that temperature is a critical factor. Important, sure, but not critical, IMO. Thanks for touching base with the manufacturers. P.S. Your two cents about the little ones is worth a few thousand. Good ventilation and good hand washing are the only things that need to be addressed, BUT when it comes to growing children those two things are mandatory. And look at the bright side. The little ones learn that good hand washing is just as important as weighing that charge. 😁
@@dmoore5120 - WD40 is a penetrating oil that is usually under pressure. Meaning that some of it can suspend in the air for a while. I never really thought about it that much because I always did just one thing at a time. But I can certainly agree that it might be an issue for some. P.S. The ammonia factor isn't commonly known because most reloaders don't even think about it, let alone use it (corrosive ammo is now rare and limited to surplus ammo). That's one of the reasons I pointed it out. It's GREAT for neutralizing corrosive ammo residue. I ran across an old mention, tried it, and discovered that the mention of it was true. I also discovered (later) that leaving the bottle in my reloading room was a mistake. One that WASN'T mentioned. The only change that had occurred between excellent reloads, and what I ended up with was leaving the Windex bottle in my reloading room. Final conclusion obvious, "yes?".
YES, NFPA and SAAMI have joint recommendation for storing primers. Ten thousand in a residence, in a fire resistant wood box minimum thickness one inch. There is also a similar recommendation for powder. Your home insurance and town zoning/residential laws may have fine print that talks about applicable codes, such as NFPA. So having more than ten thousand may invalidate your homeowners insurance and be illegal in your town. Just pointing that out for those who equate lawfulness with being a good gun owner and want to follow contracts both express and implied. Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. Some will say, "Oh, they are stable. I've used...And they've shot consistently" How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they can get more sensitive.
I just shot primers this morning that were nearly 60 years old. They were fine. The only thing I noticed was one shot was 100+ fps lower than the rest. Primer? I don't know, but the M1's action functioned flawlessly.
Great info, TreeTop! I appreciate that you always pass on such information! You said that OEM manufacturers of ammo using lead free primers seal the primers. I'm curious, I wonder what they use to seal the primers with. My first thought was perhaps they use wax, or similar substance. I made a 3/4" plywood box with a lid that I use to store my primers. It is in a cabinet made 3/4" plywood, with a door, and is located on the other side of the reloading room.
Traditionally the old school way was to use nail polish preferably clear so it didn't look goofy but I think the professional version is probably something that wont crack. These guys www.markroncustomgunproducts.com/ say they use a polymer. Your primer storage sounds really squared away! Thanks for watching.
I've got primers from the 70s, that's 50 yrs old they work very well. Stored in dry areas they don't go south. Buy and keep dry they last a long long time. Quit bsing people.
Good information as always... I’m going to vacuum seal mine from now on.. however I will be building a wood cabinet BUT will leave them in the ammo cans with silica gel since where I live can be humid as heck.. I’m gonna try 1 sealed in the cabinet and the other sealed in ammo can and see if it makes a difference.. thanks again great video..
@@jungleno. please tell me how that ammo can will blow, maybe the same way a gun goes off on it's own and murders people. I've crushed primers many times by mistake and never had them go off. Fire is a concern but if a fire is bad enough to cause this explosion then you better be gone and outta there well before that occurs.
LOL, you must be talking about the bins in the back ground. Those are just my catch all bins for all things related to each caliber, shell holders, slotted cases, bushings etc. Sometimes loose cases and the odd pulled bullet. And, most of us need more brass. ;-)
Where I live this isn't an issue, but in a humid area like down south or by the coasts I can see them going bad. Where i live you put bread on the counter and it will dry out rock hard. In Brownsville Texas, you put fresh toast on the counter and it gets soggy.
I have some cci large rifle primers in the small box with a price of 72 cents per 100 hundred were laying in a damp garage until 2 years ago guess what they work fine I don’t know when primers were 72 cents but I have been reloading for 40 years and they were never that cheap in those 40 years some I can only imagine but they are 100 percent good
Just because of habit due to my nature, I have bulk primers stored in vacuum sealed mylar bags. Is it overkill? Probably! But I'm fine with that. My primers can survive basically everything and anything except fire.
I keep mine in a 30 cal ammo can(new) with a dry pack in a sealed contractors box.reason for that is my reloading area is in my basement and can be damp, i may change to a wooden box but i like the idea of the vacuum sealing.
I have primers that were stored in an ammo can for 30 years and placed in multiple extreme storage environments. I was really concerned they would be a problem, but after a recent reloading session, they all fired perfectly. I do like the idea of vacuum sealing though.
@@jungleno. i understand, but yet again they have been there for 30 years or more, moved across the country several times and Ive never had any issues. Never one incident. Apparently the kept them in good condition for me. I just fired another 50 the other day. They all went bang.
I put all my primers in ziplock bags with a desiccant pack inside. Then I put all of them in a plastic ammo can. This way the baggie will seal them and I can periodically change the desiccant packs.
Ok maybe I'm missing something here due to I'm new at this.. Would this be a good option? Vacume pack the primers and place them in an ammo can with a silica gel packet? I use the hydosorbent brand due to they have an indicator when they need to be recharged...this would be in place of vac packing one with the primers. Any ideas i like the info thanks...
Sorry if I was confusing. There are two issues, keeping primers fresh and storage that is safe for the home. First, I am not trying to tell anyone what to do. I was just passing on information and sharing what I was thinking. The ammo can thing might be a great way to keep them fresh. I used the ammo can as an example of a sealed item. The issue is keeping powder or primers in a tightly sealed container, that in the unlikely event (like a fire), they went off it would contain the gas until it created a larger explosion.
I must apologize for the tone of my comment...it was supposed to mainy to be a question.. I understand the whole fire and enclosed space issue. My plan was to build a wooden box like the one metioned in the pdf and use the hydosorbent brand gel and vacume seal with the primers inside I was not sure if u ever used hydosorbent products and used them in this way??? The benefit of using this one is that it has an indicator to tell when to recharge them, the only bad part is that it will have to be cut open and resealed.... Do u think this is a good / bad idea?? Thank you for the information its a great channel Im leaning alot...
If you vacuum seal you probably do not need a very potent descant since you have already removed most of the air. Again, this is all just a my unproven theory. The main point was to understand what causes primers to go bad, given that info, I thought why not vacuum seal them to protect them. I'm not an authority on this. I'm more like your next door neighbor telling you what my thoughts are. Thanks for watching the channel.
I've kept powder and caps for years in my gun cabinet with no issues. However, I do believe a container with decedent could be a better way. and I think it is important to keep caps powder and lead put up and away from others. Keeping powders stored safely is a great idea and takes little thought. What's best in your situation. I like a locked cabinet. I believe the day is coming that the government is going to put a lot of restriction on how and where powder is stored. They may tell us we have to have blast cabinets that cost thousands of dollars. The politicians will own the cabinet manufacturing companies and we will be paying their bills. Government overreach is out of control.
I had some that were 20 years old and sitting in an outside storage shed in below zero snowy weather and 100 degree hot and humid summers...They all fired. Primers will outlast you and me. I load bulk ammo and vaccum seal them.
I have some primers from 1990 that we’re stored on a shelf for about 15 yrs in a garage. This is in North Carolina humidity and heat. I tested a few and they still work. I’m not crazy enough to think that they haven’t degraded so I loaded them for practice rounds.
I had 40,000 primers go bad on me. The failure rate is way too high, even if just used for target practice. I do not like pulling bullets. I even installed longer firing pins. It helped but did not really work. I have much older rifle ammo I loaded many years ago. (45/70) And the ammo is 100% reliable. On another subject. I would like for someone to tell me what camera I could buy that will focus in on bullet holes at 120 yards. I want to show people what can be done with a .44mag revolver. Do not like being called a liar.
About the target cam. My buddy Kenny @Eagle Eye Shooting produces a long range camera. Here is a link to his web site. www.dpgunworks.com/product-page/eagle-target-cam
100 years or more. Put your primers in Nalgene storage bottles but here is what you do: Put Dry Ice or Nitrogen in the Nalgene bottles then place the primers into the bottle. Now, to make sure the oxygen has been replaced hold a lit match to the opening, just inside. When the match goes out, place the cap on loose, wait a minute then seal the bottle. Do not open till ready to use. Oxygen, like Water, is the great destroyer of all things. By removing the Oxygen and Moisture things will be fine. Try it with seeds and there are other things as well, in fact I had an friend who di this with seeds in the 1940s and planted them in the 1980s and they grew and produced fruit and vegetables.
I often wonder how we 70yo people survived beyond age 12. We rolled mercury in our palms, melted lead to make toy soldiers, has family who smoked, etc.
kids would get much moore exposed to lead by shooting,it is so small amounts of it that i dont think it would hurt anyone. If so,it would be lethal to be outside in the world. lots of lead everywhere. even soil contains lead,as much as one gram per square meter. so dust from the soil would be a lethal. i dont think this is something to worry about at all.
All these stories of 20, 30, up over 50+ year-old primers working fine...I think you'll be ok without vacuum sealing them. Plus the primers of today are prolly a lot higher quality than those made 50 years ago. Just use common sense...no need to over think it. As long as you use the oldest first, you should be fine. They should last many, many years without doing anything special. .
So you were told that you probably shouldn't use primers over 10 years old, yet people report using ammunition that is several decades old without issues? 🤔
I think what they were saying is "for optimal performance" not to throw them away, just plan to use them within that time frame. Doesnt mean they wont light powder when older, but they may not be as consistant primer to primer? i certainly wouldn't discard old primers.
Primers will last longer than you. I still use primers that are 40 plus years old. Even loaded rifle ammo still shoots fine, still groups excellent out past 400 yards. I also have powders that are 50 years old like 4350. When compared to new 4350, there is no difference in performance or speed when chronographed, other than the normal slight differences one gets from different lots of powders. Don't panic over the the dangers of lead. If it was that deadly, there'd be no old trap shooters left. Common sense and history will do us well.
You sure use the word "probably" a lot in this video which leads me to believe you have absolutely no clue. My dad had primers in his collection from 40 years ago that still go *bang* to this day every single time.
I understand your concerns, and agree mostly with what you've had to say. My father was a reloader for most of his life and in the 1960s pretty much gave up reloading. He gifted me all of his equipment and components. It is 2020 almost 2021 and I still use powders and primers from my fathers stash from the 60's. It is all pistol powders and both small and large pistol primers. 50+ year old powders and primers. Maybe I've been lucky but we have always kept them stored in cool dry areas. Temperatures ranging from maybe 50-70 degrees and humidity levels below 50%. They still work great and I have never had a misfire or a malfunction of any type with this material. I have been vaccum sealing my loaded/reloaded ammo for over 15 years and believe it works to protect the ammo for moisture, which can be the worst influence on ammo and components.
Iv'e had primers stored for years from 30 degrees to 120 degrees with no issues. I have hand loaded thousands of primers with my dirty fingertips and NEVER had a misfire. Primers last FOREVER!
By the way, If you can pack your primers away in some secure packaging then it appears you don't spend any time actually reloading.
shaverlocal yep guys are always trying to overthink this stuff,,,, you stored them and used them in not the best way and all is fine,,,,,,stored properly or even just pretty darn close to it yes they will outlast you,,, I personally have used primers that were date maked to be 65 years old and not stored in thes best possible way and they worked just fine,,,,, would I use them if at all questionable on how long or well they were stored for my deffensive loads hell no,,,but for target loads hell yes the worst that will happen if ya get a bad one is that the gun will not go bang,,,no big deal just pull the bullets and reuse the usable components again,,,, your chance of finding a bad primer now and then is there even with brand new primers if you load enough, STOP OVER THINKING THIS STUFF GUYS,,, just put your primers in something like a small rubbermade toto that seals mostly airtight throw it in the bottom of you clothes closset and rest easy,,,it's no more a fire danger than anything else you might have around the house that you never even think of and the temps will stay way more consistant than you might ever believe even in weather extreems the clothing also help keep a more even and lower humidity level,,,,then get some new to replace the old as you use the old for loads you are working on,,,,I have stored and used primers for the 40+ years I have reloaded and can count on one hand with a couple fingers left over the bad primers I have ever had,,, and I load about 12,000 rounds of just 9mm a year so I burn a LOT of primers,,,,more primers are damaged by dim wit handlers/reloaders with bad reloading practices than are by storage by a long way,,,having hands that are dirty oily or just not completely dry because of sweat or so on that will F**k up primers in a big hurry,,,, also get ready to cringe because I store my powder right next to my primers in another slightly bigger rubbermade tote in the bottom of my clothes closet and have for 40+ years,,, and my uncle that got me into reloading has been doing the same for 40 years prior to that,,, so stop making rocket science out of the simple guys.
Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they tend to get more sensitive, not less.
I had primers stored in my basement in New England for 51 years an still good have about 8,000 left, of about 50,000. From 1979.
Would you mind sharing the brand name?
1979...that would be 41 years, not 51. But still good to know they last a long time. 👍
@@rcsontag sorry my math was off, Winchester large. Also have about 500 from a Co i think is no longer around ( S & W Alcan) S&W ammunition Co out of rock Creek, Ohio. These were in a basement until 2013 when i moved to NC. now they are in a nice dry spot. Have a great weekend.
That is excellent! I still have primers from 1998. Still go bang. Just kept in a good ammo can. 😎👍
@@ironbomb6753 primers should not be stored in an ammo can. You have a potential bomb in your house.
I've got primers from late 60's and still work fine, just keep them dry.
Stable temperature also, 68°F is ideal. (Winchester, 1977)
I throw those little silica gel packets in the cabinet where I keep this stuff and I have a dehumidifier. My dad's 40+ year old shotgun primers work fine.
I've had great luck with 35 to 40 year old primers. As long as they're stored in cool dry enviroments (like my basement), they'll work great. This has bee my experience.
Lots of variation in peoples results but many do say good luck with decades of good performance
I moved into my current home in Jan 1987 and a bunch of “stuff” from my old house went directly into the attic on day one of the move in various plastic tubs (Christmas decorations, odds and ends, etc) and we’re lost “to the passage of time”…in 2010 we cleaned out the attic and went through the tubs (breaking down and becoming brittle from the attic condition) when I found two or so (one was open and spilled out into the bottom of the tub) 100 round sleeves of CCI small magnum pistol primers I had bought back in the early 70s (the boxes with the triangles in the logo)…keep in mind these were “stored” in an attic for about 23 years of Tennessee summer heat and winter cold with no thoughts of them. Just to calm my inquisitive nature, I loaded about a dozen or so into .357 magnum loads using Winchester 296 and every one performed perfectly…I eventually loaded everyone of them using various powders and bullet weights with the same perfect results 🤔🤔🤔…would I trust my life to them, NO…but it expanded my thinking that sometimes we tend to overthink such things…but this is just my singular example, YMMV 😐😐😐…just sayin’ 😊😊😊
Those are great results! I wonder if people would see some changes in long range accuracy type situations IDK. Some have reported that their primers did fail after some time in storage so I really wonder. I guess better safe than sorry works here.
@@TreeTopFlier ive been reloading for all most 50 years and i have never seen a primer go bad just from getting old...spill your coffe on em and all bets are off but i still have powders and primers from the early 80,s that are just fine....
I recently acquired some 50 year old primers. All have worked just fine.
Great, good to aquire primers these days, even old ones.
I used to hand load with a Lee kit (no press, smack it with a mallet). I bought several hundred CCI 500 Small Pistol primers and lost interest in reloading with a mallet. 35 years later I am back into it, this time with a press, and I came across my old primers. I have loaded and shot a couple of hundred of these old caps with no issues. They have survived 2 cross country moves and I'm sure I gave them no special attention over the years. I don't think you can ruin them, at least I couldn't neglect them enough to fail.
I wish 40,000 of my primers did not go bad. But they did. Started loading in the 70s. Those bad Winchester primers are not that old. I have older Remington rifle primers that did not go bad. Even installed longer firing pins. Only helped a little.
My Winchester 209 are over 30 years. Only 170 left. Availability will determine what I replace them with. But, they work fine.
Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they may get more sensitive, not less.
I guess iv been real lucky I’m still using some beach small rifle primers that are over 25 years old working just fine
I half expected the MFG guys to tell me that no one worries about age. But they didn't. My take away was there is a difference between going bang and producing consistent ignition. Sounds like you're getting good results maybe your storage situation was really good. Thanks for watching!
@@TreeTopFlier I. Think that is the secret, storage, controlled environment is key to preserving anything.
25 years, I've got kidney stones older than that!
This video aged very well. Great presentation.
Just a quick comment, primers last forever if they are not compromised or contaminated, I've been reloading since 1980, with all the activities from then until now, I misplaced a box with all sizes of primers, IE: SP/SR/LP/LR also a few pounds of powder, I know they were first in basement then in a unheated garage.........fast forward to present day, I used all the components for handguns, regular & magnum, all shot 100% to recommended velocities, checked with chrono.........the primers will outlive you! ........ good luck & have fun
I have primers 48 year old primers that work fantastic. Dark, cool and dry. Keeping oxygen out is always a plus for primers, power and fuel.
I do date primers and powder. I've been storing both, separately, in military ammo cans. The metal ones with the rubber seals. Those are stored in a humidity controlled basement that never goes below 60 or above 80 degrees. No sun. So far, so good... I think. I have primers from 2006 and 2008. Your idea of using a vacuum sealer struck me as a good idea. I use my vacuum sealer for more than just food, so that might work for me and would take up less room.
You may want to put your ammo cans in a fire resistant box or cabinet. What you have could explode if there is a fire.
Very good video and information! I especially like your idea of vacuum sealing them. Thank you for making this.
I think most people are over thinking this. I've had primers and powder stuffed in a cardboard box since 1979 when I quit reloading. I've moved 5 times since then storing said box in attics, basements, and a damp garage. When I started reloading again in 2018 not one primer failed and the powder still worked fine.
wood storage box prevents static discharge -when you become a capacitor in dry Winter air conditions. I seal my primers once loaded with nail polish. I store my primers in an airtight container with fully activated- indicating silica gel, i.e. if I don't see blue we have a moisture problem. Binary primer formulations are somewhat old school but they often contain hydroscopic ingredients and this why the composition 'sours' and deactivates them. Sinoxid is in my opinion the best formulation for longevity and consistent performance, used in Dynamit Nobel rounds.
I got a brick of primers in 1969 and used the last of them in the late 80s. Stored where no extreme temperature changes in the packaging they came in. Plastic packaging would probably extend the life even more.
Good video. Interesting. Thanks. Those 1969 Remington primers were packed in wood trays.
Thanks for the comment.
I store my primers in my gun safe... that is kept in a heated/air conditioned leak free basement. Gun safe is also equipped with a dri-rod to reduce its relative humidity. Have shot primers that were very old, and ammo left over from WWII. Never had any major issues.
That will work
TTF, your videos have been a big help to me. I always appreciate the thoughtful commentary and practical demonstrations. If primers deteriorate before loading, wouldn't they also deteriorate in loaded rounds. If true, it seems loaded ammo would have a shelf life as a result, unless loading a primer into a round seals it somewhat from exposure.
I have no idea why, but I have 45/70 ammo I loaded many years ago that work great. I also have much newer, about 40,000 Winchester primers, that are trash. I installed longer firing pins. It only helped. Too many duds. Do not like pulling bullets. Do not like unreliable ammo. Posting this did not put a dime in my pocket. Just telling the truth.
Vacuum sealer is a good idea. I have always stored ammo and primers in zip lock bags with desicators. Thanks for the video, good information.
Thanks for watching!
I also do that with my Lee safety primer if it has primers in it. Big homebrew desiccant packs (Mimi Litter in a coffee filter).
I've used primers that are 12+ years old and have had not a problem. I experimented one time and put some primers in a jar of water for 2 months. When I loaded them in some empty cases and fired them , they were dramatically reduced in power but they did go off. I believe any reasonable storage method such as in an ammo can with dessicant would be enough for long term method.
If you know ammonia effects primers,vac Pac some and see if it effects them. If they don't then vac packed ones should be good
Primers are bullet proof (no pun intended), keep them dry (and out of excess humidity) and they will last forever. If you want extra protection, store them in an ammo can with a little desiccant.
Primers in a sealed ammo can is a potential bomb.
While it's probably not necessary, sealing primers in this manner can't hurt. My primers have been both colder than 50 and warmer than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and I've seen no issues. I would imagine primers in the distribution chain exceed these ranges all the time. Built ammo does just fine in far wider temperature ranges than 50-80, so it follows that the primers themselves will be fine as well.
Thanks for sharing, as I am new to reload these are great tips to consider when I start to have anything one would call stock. Cheers.
The only primers that I've ever had go bad were some cheap Italian percussion caps. I don't think they had a sealant over the priming and I think the humidity got too them.
After about 20 years on the shelf they still go off but it's more of a pop than a bang.
Vac packing certainly wouldn't hurt.
Thanks for the video.
I've always stored my primers separately by type in airtight .30 caliber ammo-cans (boxes) with a large desiccant bag in each and rotate them, I've never gotten a bad one yet.
Thats good for the primers for sure but may not be the safest according to the experts. The sealed container creates a chamber that would exaggerate the explosive capability of the primers in case of a fire. No judgement, ive done it too. But its not optimal for first responders.
@@TreeTopFlier I see your point, but if these detonate, a thin can is the least of my worries. I've seen the aftermath of an RCBS priming tube detonating with 15 Federal primers. Not a pretty sight. 0~o
Had a house fire years ago, one room was incinerated. I had 50 cal ammo cans with 223, 308, powder and primers. I had some loaded magazines on a desk that exploded. The stuff in the ammo cans survived.
@@danielbingham3124 good on you, those cans are very durable. Though it might be said you dodged a bullet there. 0~o sorry, couldn't help myself there. ^~^
Recently came across some old .38 Special components I am using up. The primers are CCI 500 Small Pistol . These were $8.99/1000 for an indication of age (I'm guessing mid 1980's). They have been off the floor in a dry & heated basement; on a shelf under a workbench. So far no issues.
People seem to have varied results with primer storage. Dry and fairly consistent temperature seem to be key.
I'm using primers and gunpowder from the 50's they shoot as they did the day they were made. They do last forever when taken care of.
Thats good to hear!
my basement floods very time it rains , so my first go round with primers and powder both left me with rounds that wouldnt fire .since then i keep my powder tightly sealed and my primers in a ziplock bag .
Thank you for the 'little one' and pregnant women warnings. I always wash up after handling lead, just in case, and I prefer to carry my extra mags with lead-free ammo. The probability of me needing that extra mag is far less than the probability of harm from lead ammo. I don't want to feel that I have contributed to any heavy metal poisoning as I carry every day and reload on occassion.
If primers are ever available again in California, I will follow your tips. Thanks!
They won't be, and guns won't be either soon. Go buy a bow and arrow or a club to protect yourself.
Another incredibly helpful vid on reloading. Thanks. You've absolutely helped my reloading endeavors, especially with my Lee turret press. With regard to this video, luckily I'm old enough that a 10 year lifespan for primers is not an issue. I don't even buy green bananas anymore.
Very nice of you to say sir! You have a great sense of humor.
Jack Waddell 2 years later, I hope you are doing well
I just reloaded several thousand rounds with primers that I purchased in 1993. Stored in sealed ammo cans since then. Everything I've shot has gone bang on the first try.
keeping them sealed up seems to be key to good life.
I like how you think! Thank you for sharing the video....
the 1" thick wood box is ATF recommendations on fire prevention
Not fire prevention but explosion prevention.
I've just loaded 500 rounds with Alcan large pistol primers - a brand that hasn't been manufactured under that name since 1980. So they're at least 40 years old. EVERY one of them fired perfectly
You and I are somehow related there bud...I did the exact same thing with a butt load of primers that I hoarded. You apply strong logic and a good investigation (which I never did - and benefited from the insight you gained as a result). Thanks and keep up the good work. Safety first, everything else is a distant second place.
Very good informative video. Especially the warning about lead contamination. Children and toddlers put various items in their mouths constantly, including their fingers. Any contact with lead contaminated surface areas is a true danger to them. As you pointed out most individuals do not consider this exposure danger. Hopefully all your viewers will take this advice seriously but sadly as we have all currently seen, even a pandemic like Covid-19 brings out a lot of naysayers that disregard basic science and even just plain old common sense. Good Job.
Great video. Very good and useful info that was well delivered and the link to the pdf is much appreciated. Excellent job, sir.
I just got a lee single stage press its a ten year anniversary it came with 1k primers, but they could be 40 to 50 years old. Also came with a pound of powder, im going to experiment.
Let us know how those old primers work... My point about storing them was keeping them optimal and that they degrade on a curve.
If that powder smells like vinegar, dispose of it.
I keep my bricks of primers in an ammo can with brand new silica packets that I bought on Amazon. The bricks that I reload from, I’ll put those in a Ziplock with a silica packet and those go in a 30cal ammo can.
You're way more careful with your storage than I have been in the past. Good on you!.
Good bomb that
@@tonymoto1188 glad I don't live next door to this guy.
...I've kept all my primers that I've accumulated over the years...going back to AT LEAST 2008 and before...in GI ammo cans...best way to store everything....IMHO...
GI cans are great for maintaining a consistent environment for shelf life. The sealed metal container is not so good in the event of a fire for safety reasons, but probably the least of peoples worries at that point.
Not true, had a room incinerated, 50 cal ammo cans with ammo, powder and primers survived.
I buy lead specific soap to wash my hands real good after reloading and shooting. Also have lead wipes to bring with me shooting. My wife's lead levels were checked while she was pregnant and they said it was non existent.
Good job! Thats what we want, safe healthy moms and babies.
I have some 30 year old primers that work perfectly fine. Packed with desiccant and stored in an air tight sealed with rubber gaskets. Kept at a constant 68-78 F temperature controlled environment. No moisture and no temperature fluctuations and they will last for a generation.
They will keep if they are not exposed to the elements.
I used primers that were over 15 years old and just stored in a ziplok baggy unzipped I think and they fired fine along with rounds loaded around as old that were stored in plastic ammo boxes.
Loaded in Colorado stored while living there and in Louisiana and fired in Iowa
In fact I had zero misfires
And had them stored in totes in storage facilities as well with no temperature control.
Was extremely wary but totally surprised when they fired flawlessly about a year ago.
I might have used that purple sealant on the primers but I don't remember. I have it and have used it, maybe then.🤷
I keep mine in a 50 cal ammo can with a silicone pack and oxygen absorber. Now i think i might go with your method. Already have the equipment for food storage.
I have some CCI large rifles that still go bang 20 years later.
Nice, some folks havent been that fortunate.
Great topic I have primers that are 25 and 30 years old also a bunch of powder that was 30 years old. I made a trade several years ago for pickup truck load of reloading equipment and supplies. A fella was getting out of it. It was about 50 lb of powder I have finally used up all of the powder but I still have about a thousand primers left from that trade. I had no problems at all what powder that was at least 20 to 25 years old what are the primers.
I have a dedicated room to reloading that the temperature is very controlled and dry. I do not see oh my primers. But after seeing this video what a great idea I do believe to seal your primers in a vacuum-sealed bag.
I to date all of my primers as I buy them I also date my powder. That is the first thing I do with new supplies that come into my reloading room I do believe it is a good practice.
Very good topic this one caught my eye is very useful. I've always been aware of the components and if always tested components that are many many years old. I have also been testing Factory ammunition that I purchased 30 and 40 years ago every 5 years I shoot half a box right along with my reloads come back at that same time. I am very interested to know how my ammunition Stacks up Overtime also.
Thanks
Tom
I vacuum seal them know moisture and all the air is out should last a long time
Great topic and info, I also do the vac seal when I purchase pre-primed brass, also great stuff on your recent post at The Reloaders Network im fairly new to casting and have done low budget reloading for a couple yrs now
Thanks, I have done a ton of reloading but I havent ventured down the cast road because I do not have a reliable source for scrap. I'm inching closer though. I just scored some range scrap today, not much mind you but maybe enough to get me started. Thanks for watching.
@@TreeTopFlier re: source for lead for cast bullets, check local tire shop(s) - ask about used wheel weights . Also may want to research alloy(s)
Very good video. I learned some time back that Windex (ammonia) is an excellent product to clean your guns with when using corrosive ammo. It really does work. A single wipe-down with a Windex soaked patch and there isn't any worry about corrosive ammo.
The reason for this history lesson is that storage of that very same Windex bottle in my reloading room was a big mistake. "Exposure to chemicals is bad". YEP, it is. Even keeping the bottle in my reloading room led to problems. So your concern about a reloading room in the barn with the animals is a very valid concern.
In my experience, keeping everything "clean and dry" is the main key. Long term storage is quite viable by limiting air exchange. I like the surplus ammo boxes with intact seals. The only exposure to oxygen that the primers get is when you open the box. A single moisture packet in that box and humidity isn't a problem either.
And remember, no matter how old it is, black powder will still go boom if it's dry. I once read about a BP artillery shell that was dug out of a swamp. Soaking wet. Stored by the fireplace. Two weeks later (after it dried out) the fireplace set it off. The shell was almost 100 years old.
Lead exposure. YES, it's important to be aware. But the thing to remember is that the highest levels of lead in the blood are caused by inhalation. Well documented. Simply practicing good hand washing whenever handling ammo components is a proven safe intervention. So, avoid eating or drinking - wash hands well when finished - and make sure you have good ventilation. Of course, disposable gloves are cheap and readily available now, so those can be used if one needs that extra step.
I can attest that primers are fully viable for 15 years when stored as mentioned above. I don't think (think, not know for sure), that temperature is a critical factor. Important, sure, but not critical, IMO.
Thanks for touching base with the manufacturers.
P.S. Your two cents about the little ones is worth a few thousand. Good ventilation and good hand washing are the only things that need to be addressed, BUT when it comes to growing children those two things are mandatory.
And look at the bright side. The little ones learn that good hand washing is just as important as weighing that charge. 😁
I was told that WD40 in reload room was very bad for primers NH3 not mentioned ...
@@dmoore5120 - WD40 is a penetrating oil that is usually under pressure. Meaning that some of it can suspend in the air for a while. I never really thought about it that much because I always did just one thing at a time. But I can certainly agree that it might be an issue for some.
P.S. The ammonia factor isn't commonly known because most reloaders don't even think about it, let alone use it (corrosive ammo is now rare and limited to surplus ammo). That's one of the reasons I pointed it out. It's GREAT for neutralizing corrosive ammo residue. I ran across an old mention, tried it, and discovered that the mention of it was true. I also discovered (later) that leaving the bottle in my reloading room was a mistake. One that WASN'T mentioned. The only change that had occurred between excellent reloads, and what I ended up with was leaving the Windex bottle in my reloading room. Final conclusion obvious, "yes?".
YES, NFPA and SAAMI have joint recommendation for storing primers. Ten thousand in a residence, in a fire resistant wood box minimum thickness one inch. There is also a similar recommendation for powder. Your home insurance and town zoning/residential laws may have fine print that talks about applicable codes, such as NFPA. So having more than ten thousand may invalidate your homeowners insurance and be illegal in your town. Just pointing that out for those who equate lawfulness with being a good gun owner and want to follow contracts both express and implied.
Primers being pressure sensitive explosives are by nature of being a pressure sensitive explosive are somewhat unstable. Rough handling, solvents, temperature, oxygen and time will affect primers. Some will say, "Oh, they are stable. I've used...And they've shot consistently" How consistently compared to fresh? have you checked chamber pressure and velocity? One thing about degradation of explosives is that they can get more sensitive.
Good info, thanks for sharing.
I just shot primers this morning that were nearly 60 years old. They were fine. The only thing I noticed was one shot was 100+ fps lower than the rest. Primer? I don't know, but the M1's action functioned flawlessly.
Thats really good. Not sure everyone in every environment would have the same results.
Great info, TreeTop! I appreciate that you always pass on such information!
You said that OEM manufacturers of ammo using lead free primers seal the primers. I'm curious, I wonder what they use to seal the primers with. My first thought was perhaps they use wax, or similar substance.
I made a 3/4" plywood box with a lid that I use to store my primers. It is in a cabinet made 3/4" plywood, with a door, and is located on the other side of the reloading room.
Traditionally the old school way was to use nail polish preferably clear so it didn't look goofy but I think the professional version is probably something that wont crack. These guys www.markroncustomgunproducts.com/ say they use a polymer.
Your primer storage sounds really squared away! Thanks for watching.
I've got primers from the 70s, that's 50 yrs old they work very well. Stored in dry areas they don't go south. Buy and keep dry they last a long long time. Quit bsing people.
Best primers I have shot lately are cci from the 70s. It's hard to kill primers dude.
Good information as always... I’m going to vacuum seal mine from now on.. however I will be building a wood cabinet BUT will leave them in the ammo cans with silica gel since where I live can be humid as heck.. I’m gonna try 1 sealed in the cabinet and the other sealed in ammo can and see if it makes a difference.. thanks again great video..
That sealed ammo can full of primers is a potential bomb in your house. Good luck. Hope we don't see your rubble on the news.
@@jungleno. please tell me how that ammo can will blow, maybe the same way a gun goes off on it's own and murders people. I've crushed primers many times by mistake and never had them go off. Fire is a concern but if a fire is bad enough to cause this explosion then you better be gone and outta there well before that occurs.
a polite ribbing.
1. you need bigger containers for your brass,
2. you need more brass
LOL, you must be talking about the bins in the back ground. Those are just my catch all bins for all things related to each caliber, shell holders, slotted cases, bushings etc. Sometimes loose cases and the odd pulled bullet. And, most of us need more brass. ;-)
@@TreeTopFlier yeah it did look as if those were your brass bins.
Where I live this isn't an issue, but in a humid area like down south or by the coasts I can see them going bad. Where i live you put bread on the counter and it will dry out rock hard. In Brownsville Texas, you put fresh toast on the counter and it gets soggy.
Good advice. Thank you for sharing.
I have some cci large rifle primers in the small box with a price of 72 cents per 100 hundred were laying in a damp garage until 2 years ago guess what they work fine I don’t know when primers were 72 cents but I have been reloading for 40 years and they were never that cheap in those 40 years some I can only imagine but they are 100 percent good
thats good news.
Just because of habit due to my nature, I have bulk primers stored in vacuum sealed mylar bags. Is it overkill? Probably! But I'm fine with that. My primers can survive basically everything and anything except fire.
Thats how I look at it too!
I keep mine in a 30 cal ammo can(new) with a dry pack in a sealed contractors box.reason for that is my reloading area is in my basement and can be damp, i may change to a wooden box but i like the idea of the vacuum sealing.
Glad you don't live next door to me. That ammo can is a potential bomb in your house.
@@jungleno. its plastic not the metal ones
I have primers that were stored in an ammo can for 30 years and placed in multiple extreme storage environments. I was really concerned they would be a problem, but after a recent reloading session, they all fired perfectly. I do like the idea of vacuum sealing though.
A sealed ammo can is an unsafe storage method for primers.
@@jungleno. i understand, but yet again they have been there for 30 years or more, moved across the country several times and Ive never had any issues. Never one incident. Apparently the kept them in good condition for me. I just fired another 50 the other day. They all went bang.
I put all my primers in ziplock bags with a desiccant pack inside. Then I put all of them in a plastic ammo can. This way the baggie will seal them and I can periodically change the desiccant packs.
That's a solid plan!
Great lead warning.
You are a good man
Thanks 😊
I put mine in a plastic shoe box I got at Wally World. And keep them on a shelf in my closet.
I appreciate the share very enlightening
Glad it was helpful!
I have primer since 1984 they work just fine
Ok maybe I'm missing something here due to I'm new at this..
Would this be a good option?
Vacume pack the primers and place them in an ammo can with a silica gel packet? I use the hydosorbent brand due to they have an indicator when they need to be recharged...this would be in place of vac packing one with the primers.
Any ideas i like the info thanks...
Sorry if I was confusing. There are two issues, keeping primers fresh and storage that is safe for the home. First, I am not trying to tell anyone what to do. I was just passing on information and sharing what I was thinking. The ammo can thing might be a great way to keep them fresh. I used the ammo can as an example of a sealed item. The issue is keeping powder or primers in a tightly sealed container, that in the unlikely event (like a fire), they went off it would contain the gas until it created a larger explosion.
I must apologize for the tone of my comment...it was supposed to mainy to be a question..
I understand the whole fire and enclosed space issue.
My plan was to build a wooden box like the one metioned in the pdf and use the hydosorbent brand gel and vacume seal with the primers inside
I was not sure if u ever used hydosorbent products and used them in this way???
The benefit of using this one is that it has an indicator to tell when to recharge them, the only bad part is that it will have to be cut open and resealed....
Do u think this is a good / bad idea??
Thank you for the information its a great channel Im leaning alot...
If you vacuum seal you probably do not need a very potent descant since you have already removed most of the air. Again, this is all just a my unproven theory. The main point was to understand what causes primers to go bad, given that info, I thought why not vacuum seal them to protect them. I'm not an authority on this. I'm more like your next door neighbor telling you what my thoughts are. Thanks for watching the channel.
Solutions looking for a problem. Store in a cool dry place like the box says. You’re done.
No WD40 within 100 ft.
WD40 will kill
I've had primers for 40 years and they still work perfectly. I feel primers are like people, if you are comfortable, so would they.
Probably true.
Great video! Tks 👌
Thanks! Now if only we could find primers to store lol
Same Thing I do, Food saver to the Rescue
Hmmmm the force is very strong with this one!!!!
Thanks for the info
You bet
I've kept powder and caps for years in my gun cabinet with no issues. However, I do believe a container with decedent could be a better way. and I think it is important to keep caps powder and lead put up and away from others. Keeping powders stored safely is a great idea and takes little thought. What's best in your situation. I like a locked cabinet.
I believe the day is coming that the government is going to put a lot of restriction on how and where powder is stored. They may tell us we have to have blast cabinets that cost thousands of dollars. The politicians will own the cabinet manufacturing companies and we will be paying their bills. Government overreach is out of control.
You said it!
I had some that were 20 years old and sitting in an outside storage shed in below zero snowy weather and 100 degree hot and humid summers...They all fired. Primers will outlast you and me. I load bulk ammo and vaccum seal them.
I just loaded 500 rounds of .223 with 1970's primers and everyone of them went bang.
I have some primers from 1990 that we’re stored on a shelf for about 15 yrs in a garage. This is in North Carolina humidity and heat. I tested a few and they still work. I’m not crazy enough to think that they haven’t degraded so I loaded them for practice rounds.
I had 40,000 primers go bad on me. The failure rate is way too high, even if just used for target practice. I do not like pulling bullets. I even installed longer firing pins. It helped but did not really work. I have much older rifle ammo I loaded many years ago. (45/70) And the ammo is 100% reliable. On another subject. I would like for someone to tell me what camera I could buy that will focus in on bullet holes at 120 yards. I want to show people what can be done with a .44mag revolver. Do not like being called a liar.
About the target cam. My buddy Kenny @Eagle Eye Shooting produces a long range camera. Here is a link to his web site. www.dpgunworks.com/product-page/eagle-target-cam
@@TreeTopFlier Thanks! I will look into it.
@@TreeTopFlier Not available at this time. Thanks for trying to help.
I vacuum seal them
100 years or more.
Put your primers in Nalgene storage bottles but here is what you do: Put Dry Ice or Nitrogen in the Nalgene bottles then place the primers into the bottle. Now, to make sure the oxygen has been replaced hold a lit match to the opening, just inside. When the match goes out, place the cap on loose, wait a minute then seal the bottle. Do not open till ready to use. Oxygen, like Water, is the great destroyer of all things. By removing the Oxygen and Moisture things will be fine. Try it with seeds and there are other things as well, in fact I had an friend who di this with seeds in the 1940s and planted them in the 1980s and they grew and produced fruit and vegetables.
Interesting. Thanks for the comment.
I have ammo that is older than I am, and i'm a geezer. Never a misfire.
Thank you
Good reminder about the lead.
I often wonder how we 70yo people survived beyond age 12. We rolled mercury in our palms, melted lead to make toy soldiers, has family who smoked, etc.
Planning ahead is not hoarding
Thanks!
Primers last indefinitely if kept cool and dry.
kids would get much moore exposed to lead by shooting,it is so small amounts of it that i dont think it would hurt anyone. If so,it would be lethal to be outside in the world. lots of lead everywhere. even soil contains lead,as much as one gram per square meter. so dust from the soil would be a lethal. i dont think this is something to worry about at all.
All these stories of 20, 30, up over 50+ year-old primers working fine...I think you'll be ok without vacuum sealing them. Plus the primers of today are prolly a lot higher quality than those made 50 years ago. Just use common sense...no need to over think it. As long as you use the oldest first, you should be fine. They should last many, many years without doing anything special. .
Actually I have some primers that are over forty years old. Tested out. No difference. So storing them property plays a big part.
So you were told that you probably shouldn't use primers over 10 years old, yet people report using ammunition that is several decades old without issues? 🤔
I think what they were saying is "for optimal performance" not to throw them away, just plan to use them within that time frame. Doesnt mean they wont light powder when older, but they may not be as consistant primer to primer? i certainly wouldn't discard old primers.
@@TreeTopFlier gotcha
right now any primers produced in america have to go to the government, till about march im told. thats why their is none on the shelf or ammo
All the primers are going to the government? Why? Oh, so they can have billions of rounds of ammo just before they guns away from you. Makes sense!!
First In First Out!
Yep, just like in the refrigerator lol
temp and hunidity control...that's all u need
Yep. A ziplock bag and the proverbial cool dry place is all you need.
Primers will last longer than you. I still use primers that are 40 plus years old. Even loaded rifle ammo still shoots fine, still groups excellent out past 400 yards. I also have powders that are 50 years old like 4350. When compared to new 4350, there is no difference in performance or speed when chronographed, other than the normal slight differences one gets from different lots of powders. Don't panic over the the dangers of lead. If it was that deadly, there'd be no old trap shooters left. Common sense and history will do us well.
thats good to hear.
Put Pirmers in 50 Calber Steel ammo can .
Hey Mom, look.. I just built a bomb!
You sure use the word "probably" a lot in this video which leads me to believe you have absolutely no clue. My dad had primers in his collection from 40 years ago that still go *bang* to this day every single time.