Old primers

[338weatherby]

I ran into a guy I used to work with 15 years ago. He gave me his Dillon 650 that was set up for 45ACP and 357 mag. Along with it is 1200 large pistol primers and 2600 smalls. He doesn't remember how old they are. What say you? Since these would be nothing more than plinking primers for my 45's (large) and not really a plan for the smalls, should be fine? They were in a finished basement but the cardboard boxes everything was in smells musty.

 

[Frog4aday]

They'll still be good & work.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

IMO. I would use them.
I have boxes of primers like you have there from the 80's and they still go Bang.

 

[Critter Picker]

Looking at the packaging, I have older primers that them, they work fine.

 

[Ol' Red]

These still work great. They are kind of old now.

 

[Critter Picker]

I could tell, buy the price. And I've got some in the old red box.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I ran into a guy I used to work with 15 years ago. He gave me his Dillon 650 that was set up for 45ACP and 357 mag. Along with it is 1200 large pistol primers and 2600 smalls. He doesn't remember how old they are. What say you? Since these would be nothing more than plinking primers for my 45's (large) and not really a plan for the smalls, should be fine? They were in a finished basement but the cardboard boxes everything was in smells musty.
View attachment 668411

Load them and shoot them!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[338weatherby]

Thanks for all the replies confirming they should be good to go. I'm set on small pistol primers I guess! I haven't reloaded anything pistols with a small primer. Just 44 mag, 10mm, and 45ACP. Might have to pick up a 357mag now since I have dies. I'll have to read up on the Dillon. I've got a Hornady progressive but haven't used in years. Seemed easier to buy bulk 45 and cheapo 10mm than to load my own.

 

[Greatgrandad]

If they were stored properly, they should work without issue. I have some primers that are 60 years old, and they work perfectly. I have fired ammo from WW II dated 43 and 44, and they all worked well.

Here are some 1963 WCC 45 ACP's that still work just fine. I had a 50 cal ammo can of these I acquired a few years ago, and after shooting several, I decided to keep a few boxes as collectables.

 

[Jester560]

I am running mid 70s vintage spp for my competition loads.

 

[Model19Man]

Those are not older than mine. I stocked up when it looked like there would be a President Dukakis. Best decision I have ever made. All my primers go bang every time. Yours will too.

 

[243winxb]

These worked just like new primers.

 

[HockeyDad]

I have 8 sleeves of CCI mag rifle primers my brother in law gave to me about 15 years ago. At the time he didn't even know where they came from or how old they were.
They are my emergency, emergency stash.

 

[skipglo]

Don't smell them until after you shoot them! They should be fine...boxes don't look that old!