ammunition storage and disposal

[Aventura]

While organizing my outdoors equipment I noticed some old ammo that I have had for several years and it got me thinking of a few things.

1st....is there a shelf life of civilian ammunition?
I know moisture is the biggest enemy.

2nd....what is the proper way to dispose of questionable or deteriorated ammo?

I have given old rusted shotgun shells to the fire dept in the past that were a friend's deceased father's.
My understanding is that we are supposed to hand over bad ammo to the local police or fire dept offices or use CADS.

[6.5 shooter]

Take them apart or drop them into oil and let them soak. Gunpowder actually makes pretty good lawn fertilizer.

[Hotwheels81]

Shelf life of ammo a very very long time if stored half decent... If its corroded badly then pull it apart or call the local police department and ask them for disposal instructions.

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

Take them apart or drop them into oil and let them soak. Gunpowder actually makes pretty good lawn fertilizer.

Seriously??
I didn't know this.
That's great!!
What kind of oil are you referring too?

[6.5 shooter]

Any oil will do, best with light oils, mineral oil etc. will degrade the powder as well as deactivate the primers but the oil needs to get to the different components.
Personally I have taken apart hundreds of loaded rounds everything from shotgun to pistol. I cut shotgun shells in half just below the wad and pull bullets with an RCBS bullet pulling Colet tool for the right caliber in my reloading press takes about .5 of a second and is very safe and way easier then the hammer type.

Save the shotgun pellets for my shooting bags and spread the powder on my lawn, toss the brass and give the bullets to a friend.

[Aventura]

Thanks shooter.

Best trick I've learned in a while.

[CheeseBurger]

If they have no corrosion on the outside and have been stored in a stable environment, I would shoot them.

[Roughneck Country]

i have also been told put the old shells in a bucket of water for a couple days, the powder will get wet and the shells will be done

[Okotokian]

You mean I can't keep it in the shed and throw it in the garbage can to dispose of? oh oh......

Just be careful pulling rounds apart. Saw a guy get a primer through the thumb once doing that.