My grandpa gave me some ammo. Help telling how old it is?
I know this is probably the wrong forum, but I need a little help. My granddad just gave me a bunch of ammo for the .22 he gave me a few months back. There is a box of Winchester Super-X shotshells from a store in my hometown that closed before I was born(in '89), a box of .22LR JHPs from an outdoors store in Iowa City, approx. same age, and a couple boxes of Federal Lightning 40 gr, high-velocity Lubricated Lead rounds.
The Federals look like this:
I continue to shoot Monarch ammo from 50-60 years ago.
Still have 20,000 - 30,000 rounds of it!
No problem!
__________________
"If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
A Man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN, a Man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT
I know this is probably the wrong forum, but I need a little help. My granddad just gave me a bunch of ammo for the .22 he gave me a few months back. There is a box of Winchester Super-X shotshells from a store in my hometown that closed before I was born(in '89), a box of .22LR JHPs from an outdoors store in Iowa City, approx. same age, and a couple boxes of Federal Lightning 40 gr, high-velocity Lubricated Lead rounds.
The Federals look like this:
Any clue to how old it is?
I have plenty of different calibers, in this same design/style box's.
And I would be willing to bet.
There are thousands of box's, of ammo.
Just like this, still on store shelves.
If you have any doubts.
DON'T SHOOT IT!
Break out YOUR wallet.
And, go buy "fresh" ammo.
Are you old enough, in your state?
Just don't tell your Grandfather.
As It will hurt his feelings.
First, he gives you a rifle.
Then you thinking, he gave you unsafe ammo!
__________________
"If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
A Man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN, a Man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT
As a grandfather, I can tell you, we don't give our grandkids stuff that will hurt them. I've seen those same marked boxes on shelves recently in stores with slightly older stock, it's safe to use. I've shot 1950 era ammo recently and am still living, and the gun didn't blow up or anything.
Yes, I'm old enough to buy ammo(20). The rounds are fine, I'm just going to preserve some of them for a memory once he's gone. I was just interested in the dates they ran that packaging. Straight curiousity, that's all.
I shot a couple of the shotshells and a couple Federal JHPs he gave me, no problem. I'm not concerned about the shape of the ammo, I was just wondering so I'd have something to tell my grandkids about them.
Also, I have plenty of "fresh ammo". If I can't afford a brick of .22LR; I don't need to be shooting, I need to be working.
As a grandfather, I can tell you, we don't give our grandkids stuff that will hurt them. I've seen those same marked boxes on shelves recently in stores with slightly older stock, it's safe to use. I've shot 1950 era ammo recently and am still living, and the gun didn't blow up or anything.
Ditto,
A while back.
I bought one of the Grand kids, a new .22 Marlin.
Kinda jealous, his is STAINLESS !!LOL
__________________
"If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
A Man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN, a Man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT
Yes, I'm old enough to buy ammo(20). The rounds are fine, I'm just going to preserve some of them for a memory once he's gone. I was just interested in the dates they ran that packaging. Straight curiousity, that's all.
I shot a couple of the shotshells and a couple Federal JHPs he gave me, no problem. I'm not concerned about the shape of the ammo, I was just wondering so I'd have something to tell my grandkids about them.
Also, I have plenty of "fresh ammo". If I can't afford a brick of .22LR; I don't need to be shooting, I need to be working.
I gotcha.
Hold onto that rifle.
And then give it to one of your kids, some day.
It will make you proud!
Good attitude, on the "fresh" ammo.
Good night.
__________________
"If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
A Man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN, a Man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT
Are the lubricated lead ones the ones that make the barrel dirty faster? I'd like to shoot the partial box of them and hold onto the full box for sentimental value. Give them as a package to my grandkid, along with some ammo that I'll buy just for the passing on.
Edit: Further research leads me to the conclusion that Federal stopped production of Lightning ammo a couple years back and it has been renamed "Champion."
Edit2: Disregard. Apparently it's back.
Last edited by Freezing Hot; 02-06-2010 at 11:30 AM.
I know this is probably the wrong forum, but I need a little help. My granddad just gave me a bunch of ammo for the .22 he gave me a few months back. There is a box of Winchester Super-X shotshells from a store in my hometown that closed before I was born(in '89), a box of .22LR JHPs from an outdoors store in Iowa City, approx. same age, and a couple boxes of Federal Lightning 40 gr, high-velocity Lubricated Lead rounds.
The Federals look like this:
Any clue to how old it is?
Somewhere along the line your post has become a question to the safety of shooting this stuff...although I don't see such a question.
The ammunition that is boxed for specific local outdoors stores may be considered antique regardless of age. Many manufacturers packaged for Montgonery Wards, Western Auto, Sears&Roebuck to name a few. These are rare in most cases so if you have some from local stores...hang on to it.
I haven't seen FederalLightening in years so can't even guess if yours is old or new. It would make for a good display.
And...I doubt that Grandpa would be offended if you decided to display the gift ammo instead of shooting it. JMHO
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
If the ammo is in good shape and not all corroded there should be no problem shooting it. If you do run into anything strange when shooting ANY ammo you should always stop and check the barrel and chamber before resuming shooting.
I have shot ammo from 1900 with no problem. I have also shot ammo I bought brand new and had problems with it. Condition is more a factor than age.
__________________
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Thanks for the input, everyone.
I have NO safety issues with it. The ammo has never gotten wet and the one box hadn't even been opened. My plan:
Shoot some of it. Save some more of it for shooting once my grandpa is gone and I'd like to go out and shoot in honor of him.
Save the full box of Federal.
Buy some ammo somewhere along the way. Probably the Federal JHPs that I shoot most of the time.
Pass the box my grandpa gave me and the box I buy to my grandkid.
I also had my FIRST dud EVER in this gun. And guess what kind of ammo it was?
(Hint: It starts with an "R" and end with an "emington."
