I spoke with Hornady today about some 10-11 year old 17hmr vmax ammo I have. The cases are splitting about 1/3 the way down and getting stuck in the chamber. I suspected they were part of a recall (which they purge recall info after 10 years) but I was given an answer somewhere between over my head and a load of crap.
Hornady is saying the 17hmr cases have a shelf life, the brass weakens/stretches, the bullet then seats itself deeper and causes pressure. Additionally you shouldn't keep ammo past 10 years b/c 10 years is consistent with SAAMI recommendations.
I think all that is a load of crap and the fact they changed something with their brass a few years reflects that.
Anyway, if you believe what they say, you may not want to buy hmr ammo in bulk unless you shoot them in a couple years
Re: Storing 17hmr ammo long term
2I don't claim to be a metallurgist, but if it looks like a bullshit, it walks like a bullshit, and it quacks like a bullshit...
Re: Storing 17hmr ammo long term
3I don't know.. it could be legit.. all depends on storage conditions
If you ammo sat for any length of time where it could be exposed to ammonia cleaners or their vapors like in a garage storage cabinet with cleaning supplies .. and it wouldn't have to be the whole 10 years. a few months could do it.. you would expect the brass to be brittle and have cracks, especially thin brass..
Not trying to start a fight or take sides.. but to extend what is basically something that is chemically reactive a 10 year warrantee could be considered going the extra mile... but then so would including comprehensive storage instructions for ammo or at least warning folks what constitutes a hostile storage environment
http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?8194 ... ss-cleaner
notice the conditions that they cite in the article... did you store the ammo in a room with a cat box or near a spot where the dogs marks it's territory
Mercury compounds can have a similar effect http://webpages.charter.net/kwilliams00 ... ercury.htm https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/que ... teel/43923 common household uses of mercury https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-con ... ducts#list
see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass specifically cartridge brass is called yellow brass with it's own specific composition and characteristics https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6360
anyway.. totally possible that storage conditions/ environmental situation could do exactly what you describe .. especially given the very thin nature of the brass and the extreme pressures of firing.
If you ammo sat for any length of time where it could be exposed to ammonia cleaners or their vapors like in a garage storage cabinet with cleaning supplies .. and it wouldn't have to be the whole 10 years. a few months could do it.. you would expect the brass to be brittle and have cracks, especially thin brass..
Not trying to start a fight or take sides.. but to extend what is basically something that is chemically reactive a 10 year warrantee could be considered going the extra mile... but then so would including comprehensive storage instructions for ammo or at least warning folks what constitutes a hostile storage environment
http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?8194 ... ss-cleaner
notice the conditions that they cite in the article... did you store the ammo in a room with a cat box or near a spot where the dogs marks it's territory
Mercury compounds can have a similar effect http://webpages.charter.net/kwilliams00 ... ercury.htm https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/que ... teel/43923 common household uses of mercury https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-con ... ducts#list
see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass specifically cartridge brass is called yellow brass with it's own specific composition and characteristics https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6360
anyway.. totally possible that storage conditions/ environmental situation could do exactly what you describe .. especially given the very thin nature of the brass and the extreme pressures of firing.
Re: Storing 17hmr ammo long term
4Too late for what you already have, but sounds like you need to either shoot it more often or be diligent about rotating your stock. Pretty sure I don't have anything in my stocks over a few years old.
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Storing 17hmr ammo long term
5I'll get back to this thread in about 4.5 years or so. Have a lot of .17HMR and doubt it'll all be used by then.
"Being Republican is more than a difference of opinion - it's a character flaw." "COVID can fix STUPID!"
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
Re: Storing 17hmr ammo long term
6Shit, I better go shoot some of mine! I really hate cleaning the tiny bore of my .17.