Top 6 How To Dispose Of Old Shotgun Shells Best 131 Answer

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Where can I dispose of old ammunition near me?

If your local police station won’t accept the ammunition, the next place to check is your city or county hazardous waste drop-off location. You can use the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find a collection point, or check your city/county website.

Do shotgun shells expire?

The universal recommendation is ten years, although there’s no doubt that ammunition can last longer if stored properly. Aside from preserving the life expectancy of your shells, the key is to identify the warning signs that ammunition might have reached the end of its usable life.

Can you reuse shotgun shells?

Shotgun shells may not look so attractive when discarded at the shooting range, yet they can be reused to create many practical and decorative objects.

What can you do with empty bullet shells?

Recycle Your Brass Shell Casings

You can recycle brass shell casings by turning them over to a scrap metal facility and save some money for the next time you buy ammo. This is something that most gun ranges already do. You can bring spent brass shell casings as scrap metal to a metals recycler like GLE Scrap Metal.

Can empty shotgun shells be recycled?

Last year, almost 16 million spent shotgun cartridges were recycled thanks to the joint efforts of Laporte Clay Pigeon Company and Agri. cycle. This is nearly double the amount recycled in 2014 and in 2016, the aim is to recycle even more!

How long is ammunition good for?

Ammunition isn’t a perishable good – if stored correctly, it can last almost indefinitely. Whether it was stored correctly or not is another matter. Ammunition isn’t like the still-edible 5000-year-old honey found in Egyptian tombs; ready to eat and spread on toast.

Are 20 year old shotgun shells safe?

If it doesn’t look safe to fire, you probably shouldn’t shoot it. If you’ve bought the old ammunition in its original packaging, it doesn’t hurt to inspect that as well. Vintage boxes in good condition are a good sign; if the shells inside don’t look damaged either, it might just be good to go.

Can shotgun shells be traced?

Other firearms evidence that could be found at a shooting scene includes shotshell wads and shot pellets; these can indicate the gauge of the shotgun. Wads and pellets can be gathered and preserved in the same manner as bullets and cartridge cases.

Are old shotguns safe to shoot?

The gun may shoot without those parts, but you’ll damage it over the long term. If you have doubts about the gun, or if its insides look worn or rusted, take it to a gunsmith.

Is shotgun shells hazardous waste?

Old shotgun shells can be dangerous if they’re left to sit in your home or not disposed of properly. You can safely dispose of them by getting in contact with your local law enforcement, gun range or gun shop, or the household hazardous waste center in your area.

Does it save money to reload shotgun shells?

Short answer: Reloading shotgun shells requires some upfront costs, but if you have enough time and enjoy the process, you can save money by reloading your own.

Are bullet shells worth anything?

A 50-round box of . 45 ACP pistol ammunition typically costs about $26. Petersen says he can reload spent casings for just $8 worth of materials, saving him $18. A target shooter might use 100 or 200 rounds in a typical visit.

What are brass shell casings worth?

U.S.A. Scrap Dealer National Price Index

Average Price	High Price	Low Price
1.72 USD/LB	2.75 USD/LB	0.3 USD/LB

Is there a magnet that will pick up brass?

So, brass is not magnetic. Like aluminum, copper, and zinc, brass does interact with moving magnets. In the video below a brass plate on a pendulum will move rapidly in the absence of a magnet.

Do bullets expire?

Ammunition doesn’t “expire” per se, but the gunpowder looses potency over time. The largest risk to shooting old ammunition isn’t a failure to fire, it’s the risk that you will actually fire the shot and it doesn’t have enough momentum to make it out the barrel.

Can pistol cartridges be exposed to water or solvents?

Pistol cartridges should not be exposed to water or solvents. The muzzle is the front end of the barrel where the bullet exits. When shooting a pistol, you should always know your target and what is beyond.

What are two types of cartridges?

The ammunition used in a rifle or handgun is called a cartridge, and there are two general types of cartridges used by rifle and pistol shooters available today — centerfire and rimfire.

What compound is used in primers?

Priming compound is a mechanical mixture of lead styphnate, antimony sulfide, barium nitrate, and other chemicals. This combination will create heat and gas when struck sharply. For rimfire cartridges, raw wet priming mix is placed directly in the hollow rim cavity.

How to take apart a 12 gauge shotgun shell

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells? – How to Dispose

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Summary of article content: Articles about How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells? – How to Dispose The best way to dispose of old shells is to shoot them. Go to a gun range and simply put them out of their misery. This is only advisable for shells that are … …
Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells? – How to Dispose The best way to dispose of old shells is to shoot them. Go to a gun range and simply put them out of their misery. This is only advisable for shells that are … Shotguns are the third most manufactured guns in America. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, there were 935,411 shotguns made in 2014
Table of Contents:

What Is the Shelf Life of Ammunition

What Not to Do

How to Recycle Shotgun Shells

How to Dispose of Shotgun Shells

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells?

Shotguns are the third most manufactured guns in America. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, there were 935,411 shotguns made in 2014 alone.

Many Americans love having shotguns for hunting and for protection. That means that there are a whole lot of shotgun shells lying around the United States.

Some of them are brand new, but a lot of them may be very old and rusty.

Hence, when you’re done with the shells, it’s your job to dispose of them as carefully as possible. They’re not just ammunition, but also dangerous weapons that can cause harm.

Here is what you can do to safely dispose of shotgun shells that have been lying around too long.

What Is the Shelf Life of Ammunition?

Ammunition really doesn’t have an expiration date. Since it’s basically a casing made for gunpowder, it depends on the make and the model that you buy.

Remember that the ammunition shelf life is relative. Under good conditions, you can keep the same shotgun shells for decades.

You could even keep them for half-a-century if you treat them right. However, if you don’t store them properly, the shells may become rusty and moldy after a while.

The things that could spoil them include continuous contact with sunlight, heat, and moisture. The latter will rust them very quickly if kept in contact. Moreover, the water may even get inside the shell and render it ineffective.

If you want to preserve your shells for long, keep them in a dark, dry environment. If you live in a particularly humid area, you can get a dehumidifier.

Or, you could purchase specific cases that are airtight to keep the shells sealed.

Modern Ammunition Shelf-Life

Modern ammunition is generally more well-constructed than older ammunition. Hence, its shelf-life is much longer than that of older ammunition.

It’s even built to last with exposure to sunlight, heat, and moisture, though protecting it will obviously yield better results.

Most ammo manufacturers have said that their products are good for about a decade. In reality, this is just an estimate that is conservative. Many people don’t keep their ammunition for that long anyway.

Signs that Shotgun Shells have Gone Bad

Say you found a few old shotgun shells in the attic.

Or, maybe, you received a gift from someone for a birthday or an anniversary and found the shells ‘funny looking’. In order to find out if they’ve gone bad, you have to first examine the shells.

The first thing that you have to do is carefully look at the shotgun shells for any signs for oxidation. These usually manifest themselves in two ways.

The first is discoloration and the other is corrosion. This will either mean that rusting has occurred or that the shell has lost a lot of its sheen.

In both cases, there has been some external damage to the casing of the shell. This means that its integrity has been rendered compromised. This means that if somebody tries to fire the shell, it may well explode within the shotgun.

The basic signs of corrosion can be found at the bottom of the shell. Any other types of damage like cracks or dents should also be examined.

If any are found, then the shell has definitely been compromised and shouldn’t be used.

Next, you should examine the box that you found the shells in. If it’s bent out of shape, it’s not a big deal.

However, if there are signs of moisture and direct evidence of being covered in water, the shells are all compromised.

Don’t take any chances with any type of ammo that has been lying in moisture for too long—ditto for any shells that have been stored in a wet place.

Third, when you’re handloading or reloading your weapon, you can figure out if a shell has gone bad. The primer may not be seated correctly and the shell may be sitting at an angle.

The crimp may also be wrong. All these signs indicate that your weapon is not in its ideal condition.

What Not to Do

For old ammunition, damaged ammunition, and soaked shells, there is one specific rule. Do not throw it in the trash.

If you find shells or rounds lying around that have clearly been damaged, don’t throw them in the garbage. Don’t even try to bury it in the ground. Some poor soul may come across it and get hurt.

Also, don’t ever soak a shell in water and oil and throw it away. This will make the cartridges extremely dangerous.

The water may render the shell inactive; the water could dry out as well. This means that the shell could become active again.

If a trash compactor picks it up, it could fire within and endanger the people and the machinery. Either way, the loss is imminent, whether that of funds or human life.

How to Recycle Shotgun Shells

Recycling shotgun shells can’t be done at home. There also isn’t any tool that can safely dispose of shotgun shells that are easily available.

Hence, you should let the professionals handle it. Here is what you need to do in order to recycle shotgun shells properly.

Waste Drop-Off

You can go to the waste to drop off or waste disposal facilities near your home. These facilities usually deal with hazardous waste disposal.

They have a protocol for ammunition that they find in their hauls, and they follow it to the letter. You can even find a private hazardous waste contractor to handle this for you if you like.

Waste Collection Events

These are collection points that are specifically made to recycle old things like plastic or metal.

You can also use the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find a collection point. You can also check your city, country, or state website for further options.

If they don’t collect them at any specific point, you can call in and ask for further options.

A lot of points will not accept ammunition on a regular basis. They may have specific events that you can go to, to contribute.

How to Dispose of Shotgun Shells

Shotgun shells can’t always be recycled.

If there aren’t enough facilities near your home to recycle them, you can always dispose of them. There are plenty of institutions near towns and even villages that have this facility.

Shoot the Old Shells

The best way to dispose of old shells is to shoot them. Go to a gun range and simply put them out of their misery.

This is only advisable for shells that are not damaged. If you find shells that have been specifically damaged by moisture or if their integrity is damaged, don’t use them.

They’re far too risky to use, and the damage that could be incurred is not worth it.

Local Police

A lot of police departments have ammunition disposal programs. You can either drop it off or have it picked up.

Be a responsible citizen and give the old shells to them so they can get rid of them properly.

The best way to do this is simply to call in. Ask if the police station takes ammunition in the first place. If they take it in small quantities and you have a few shells, go ahead.

If you have a large number of old shells, then you may have to take them somewhere else. However, call in any way to find out the options you have.

Gun Ranges

If you’re a regular visitor to a gun range or just have one nearby, this is the second most likely place to go. Most gun ranges have something called an amnesty box. This is usually reserved for duds or damaged rounds.

Gun ranges regularly dispose of rounds as their job. There are hundreds of rounds of ammunition that are collected from their facilities every single day. Hence, they always have a program in place.

Gun Stores

Gun stores also usually have a lot of ammunition. They have specific deals and protocols in place to get rid of bad ammunition.

Hence, they will have a protocol in place to get rid of bad shotgun shells. If it’s recyclable, you can even let the gun store know. They will let you know if there are any reloaders that can help you out.

Kinetic Bullet Puller

If you have a hand-loader, then you can disassemble bad rounds through something called a kinetic bullet puller.

It’s a very simple tool and resembles a hammer. That’s how you use it as well. Think of it as a hammer that can break apart a single shell bit by bit.

You simply insert the bullet or the shell into the puller and hammer it on the ground. This will result in the shell coming apart.

If you’re disposing of shotgun shells, always be responsible about it. Remember, these are live ammo rounds that can hurt people severely.

Other articles you may find useful:

How to Safely Recycle Unwanted or Unusable Ammunition

Whether it’s old, corroding ammunition, or rounds that wouldn’t fire at the range, ammunition is one thing that needs to be disposed of carefully and properly.

What’s in Ammunition?

Before we jump to methods of recycling, let’s touch on the components that make up a piece of ammunition, also known as a cartridge.

A cartridge is made up of a bullet, casing, gunpowder, and a primer. The primer is located on the bottom of the casing, the gunpowder is inside the casing, and the bullet is sticking out the other end of the casing. The bullet is typically made of lead but could be another type of metal or cased in another type of metal. The casing is generally made from brass but could also be steel.

Can Ammunition Be Recycled?

Yes and no. If the ammunition is unused, it’s possible to recycle it, but the ability to do so isn’t widely available. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) created a prototype of a device that can disassemble cartridges into their component parts for recycling.

The metals can each be recycled, and the gunpowder can be reused as fertilizer. This new device will make it easier for police departments and other recyclers to collect ammunition and recycle it.

When it comes to ammunition that has been used, you’re really just left with the brass casing. The brass casing is recyclable, so after a round has been fired at the range, this portion can be recycled. Generally, however, these are actually reused to manufacture new ammunition. Brass casings can be reused a number of times.

Where Do You Take Ammunition for Disposal?

If you find yourself with some corroded or unusable ammunition, there are a number of options available to you.

Police Station

The first place to check is your local police station. Don’t call 911; call their local number and ask if they’ll take ammunition. Many will accept it in smaller quantities. If you have a large amount of ammunition, however, they may not. They may also have additional suggestions on where to take it.

Hazardous Waste Collection Events

If your local police station won’t accept the ammunition, the next place to check is your city or county hazardous waste drop-off location. You can use the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find a collection point, or check your city/county website. If they don’t collect it there, make sure you check their collection events. While many won’t accept ammunition on a regular basis, they may accept it at specific collection events during the year.

Local Gun Range

If your local hazardous waste facility doesn’t work, the next place to check is local gun ranges. While this may not work if you have a large number of corroded rounds, if you just have a few, they may be willing to accept them. Many ranges will collect dud rounds (cartridges that don’t fire when the trigger is pulled) and dispose of them properly.

What Not to Do with Ammunition

There are a few suggestions we’ve seen or heard that should be clarified. First, don’t bury ammunition as a way to dispose of it. While the gunpowder can be used in fertilizer, the rest of a cartridge is not good for the environment. The lead found in many bullets should not be stuck in the ground where it can leach into the local water supply.

You also should not throw ammunition away in the trash. This is not safe. When that ammunition gets dumped into the back of a garbage truck and the compactor runs, it could cause the cartridge to fire, sending the bullet in a potentially dangerous direction.

Lastly, don’t soak it in water or oil and then throw it away. Some people assume if they soak old ammunition in water or oil, this will ruin the gunpowder and it will no longer ignite if the primer is struck. While this is certainly possible, there’s no guarantee. The water or oil may not make it into the cartridge, or the gunpowder could dry out, making the cartridge dangerous once again if thrown into the trash.

This post was originally published on January 16, 2018.

Do Shotgun Shells Go Bad?

By Brad Fitzpatrick

Ammunition manufacturers have been working overtime for two years to try and meet the increased demand for rifle, shotshell, and handgun ammunition—and thankfully, supply is finally starting to catch up with demand. Perhaps we’re not at the end of the ammo shortage yet, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

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See the Author’s Complete Guide to Surviving the Ammo Shortage

In the midst of the crisis, hunters and shooters were pretty clever about ferreting out ammunition that had been stowed away and might not have been in such high demand during normal times. Leftover ammunition from the ‘80s and ‘90s, which was once primarily valued for its packaging, suddenly became fair game for the field.

But does shotgun ammunition have a shelf life and, if so, how long is that shelf life?

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The Short and Long of It

I contacted Daniel Compton, product line manager at Federal Ammunition, regarding the shelf life of shotgun ammunition. I expected an extensive response with a lot of complicated chemical analysis, but Federal’s stance on aged-out ammunition is simple: in their FAQ section, the company lists ten years as ammunition shelf life.

That’s a rather simple and straightforward answer, and Federal is no doubt using ten years as a conservative estimate of how long a shotshell would last. If you like, you can use that standard yourself, clinging to the decade policy. If that’s your plan, be certain to write the date of purchase in large lettering on the box so that you’ll have a reminder of when you purchased the ammo.

Ten years is not a magic number, and shotgun shells don’t automatically sour after a decade of storage. In truth, shotshells may last considerably longer than that under the right conditions. In bad conditions shells may not even make it to ten years.

Appropriate Ammunition Preservation Conditions

So, what are the right conditions to preserve shotshells? Primarily, you’ll need a cool and a dry environment to preserve ammunition. Heat and moisture are the two most common factors that cause shotshells to fail, so you need to pay close attention to where you store your ammunition for maximum shelf life. Just about any place where the humidity is kept below 50 percent and the temperature is mild and stable (say 70 degrees or colder) and you’ll reduce the odds that moisture or corrosion cause issues.

Keep an eye out for excessive corrosion and other signs of damage to a shell before loading. (Photo By: Ana Hollan/Shutterstock.com)

You’ll also slow the natural breakdown of smokeless powder that occurs over time. Reactions within the powder itself may eventually cause the load to weaken, but if the powder is kept cool these oxidation reactions occur at a slower pace than in very cold environments. Uncooled buildings, car interiors, basements that aren’t temperature controlled, and other storage sites are terrible for ammunition.

Another factor impacting the shelf life of shotshells is how they’ve spent the years between manufacturing and use. I recently picked up several cases of Winchester AA ammunition that had belonged to a competitive shooter who passed away over a decade ago. That ammunition was stored in boxes inside a gun room where the temperature and humidity were monitored and controlled, so the ammunition shoots perfectly well. That might have been different if the ammo was stored in a vest pocket in a garage where heat and moisture were impacting the powder over the last decade.

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The Skinny on Shotshells

Modern plastic shotshells were introduced by Federal Ammunition in the 1960s, and plastic shotshell hulls undoubtedly protect internal components more effectively that paper hulls used previously. That doesn’t mean that paper hull ammunition from the 1960s, and even before, won’t work—but paper absorbs moisture over many decades (which can also cause shells to swell and not fit into your shotgun’s magazine and chamber).

If a shell is bulging or has an irregular shape, don’t force it into your magazine or chamber as it may not feed or eject properly. (Photo By: Ashley-Belle Burns/Shutterstock.com)

The most important factor is to use firearms in good working order and ammunition that matches. Obviously, avoid ammunition without discernable markings that indicate gauge and so forth, but also pay close attention for signs of damage. The most obvious visible clues that shotgun ammunition has gone bad are damaged hulls and corroded brass. If either of these problems exist it’s wise not to use the ammunition.

It’s difficult to propose an accurate shelf life for ammunition since there are so many factors at play. The universal recommendation is ten years, although there’s no doubt that ammunition can last longer if stored properly. Aside from preserving the life expectancy of your shells, the key is to identify the warning signs that ammunition might have reached the end of its usable life.

So you have finished reading the how to dispose of old shotgun shells topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: are old shotgun shells dangerous, how to disable shotgun shells, how to dispose of old ammo, can old shotgun shells explode, where can i dispose of old ammunition near me, is it illegal to throw away ammo, found shotgun cartridges, empty shotgun shells ebay

Top 6 How To Dispose Of Old Shotgun Shells Best 131 Answer

Where can I dispose of old ammunition near me?

Do shotgun shells expire?

Can you reuse shotgun shells?

What can you do with empty bullet shells?

Can empty shotgun shells be recycled?

How long is ammunition good for?

Are 20 year old shotgun shells safe?

Can shotgun shells be traced?

Are old shotguns safe to shoot?

Is shotgun shells hazardous waste?

Does it save money to reload shotgun shells?

Are bullet shells worth anything?

What are brass shell casings worth?

Is there a magnet that will pick up brass?

Do bullets expire?

Can pistol cartridges be exposed to water or solvents?

What are two types of cartridges?

What compound is used in primers?

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells? – How to Dispose

Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

How To Dispose Of Old Shotgun Shells? – Thinking Sustainably

Can You Throw Away Shotgun Shells? (How to Get Rid of Them Safely)

Can You Throw Away Shotgun Shells? (Ways to Reuse Old Shells) | Home Ardent

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What is the best way to dispose of old ammo? I recently ran across several old shotgun shells, never been fired, that have been –

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Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells?

How to Safely Recycle Unwanted or Unusable Ammunition

Do Shotgun Shells Go Bad?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Where can I dispose of old ammunition near me?

Do shotgun shells expire?

Can you reuse shotgun shells?

What can you do with empty bullet shells?

Can empty shotgun shells be recycled?

How long is ammunition good for?

Are 20 year old shotgun shells safe?

Can shotgun shells be traced?

Are old shotguns safe to shoot?

Is shotgun shells hazardous waste?

Does it save money to reload shotgun shells?

Are bullet shells worth anything?

What are brass shell casings worth?

Is there a magnet that will pick up brass?

Do bullets expire?

Can pistol cartridges be exposed to water or solvents?

What are two types of cartridges?

What compound is used in primers?

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells? – How to Dispose

Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

How To Dispose Of Old Shotgun Shells? – Thinking Sustainably

Can You Throw Away Shotgun Shells? (How to Get Rid of Them Safely)

Can You Throw Away Shotgun Shells? (Ways to Reuse Old Shells) | Home Ardent

Sucuri WebSite Firewall – Access Denied

What is the best way to dispose of old ammo? I recently ran across several old shotgun shells, never been fired, that have been – Field and Stream Questions and Answers

Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

Seven New Uses for Old Shotgun Shells – RecycleNation

How to Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells?

How to Safely Recycle Unwanted or Unusable Ammunition

Do Shotgun Shells Go Bad?

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What is the best way to dispose of old ammo? I recently ran across several old shotgun shells, never been fired, that have been –

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