Skip to main content

Ammo.... .38 Special How Long Will It Last In Storage

By Gregory Kielma

Featured image for Ammo.... .38 Special How Long Will It Last In Storage

What is the life of a .38 caliber round? Do they eventually go bad if stored a long time?


What is the life of a 38 caliber round? Do they eventually go bad if stored a long time?

Gregg Kielma

A .38 Special’s life begins at an ammo factory. There, the bullet, case, powder, and primer all come together to make the .38 Special round. It is inserted into a box along with 49 of it’s nearly identical siblings, and shipped to a gun wholesaler. From there, it sits on a shelf until a gun dealer orders it, whereupon it will be shipped to them.

This is where the life of the .38 Special could get interesting.

Sooner or later, a customer will come in and buy the box, and take the ammo home with him.
• Will it sit on the shelf for years, collecting dust?
• Will is be taken out to the range and used on targets?
• Will it be used to rob a convenience store or bank
• Will it be used against a criminal in self defense?

A .38 Special round can last 50 years or more. It could have an interesting or a boring life.