Shelf life of ammo and best shotgun to buy.

[miked2345]

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to increase my "personal protection level" and buy another gun. Right now we have
a 22 pistol with about 500 rounds... I know, it's not much, but it was given to us for free.

I'm thinking of a shotgun, something with a 4 or 5 shell capacity. Now I'm not a hunter, I'm just
thinking about defending the homestead in a SHTF moment. (I doubt my fishing gear would pose
much of a deterent!)

With that in mind, what is the shelf life of ammo? Does it vary depending on the type? Do shotgun
shells last longer than say, .22 ammo? I ask this, because what ever I buy, it will most likely be
in long term storage, like the food I'm putting up.

I do have a little experience with firearms... Firing range in the Air Force, a friends 22 rifle, and
skeet shooting with co-workers. But so far, not much experience with owning guns or ammo.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I have 30-06 stamped in the 1940-50s that still fires perfectly. i have had reloaded pistol ammo that I kept for about 10yrs in an ammo can while I was away in the Military that was still good. The 22 is tricky, as i've had some that was 10yrs old that was great but i've had 22 cci stingers that went bad after 2yrs even stored in an ammo can. Shotgun, I had paper hulls from way back that were still good in the early 90s from Grandpa.
Store the ammo in surplus ammo cans away from the 2 main killers -oil and moisture and it will be good for a long while.

A shotgun is the most versitile weapon there is. It can be short, long hold alot or little. It can take a moose or a quail with just a shell change.

Good luck, get as much as you can, practice often!

[Urban Survivalist]

The Remington 870 is the best shotgun hands down in my opinion. It is simple to manipulate and parts are abundant. As far as 22 ammo I just shot the rest of a box that I had bought when I was 18 years old. I am 36 and the ammo shot just fine. Go get some trigger time and have fun expressing your second amendment rights.

[rice paddy daddy]

In the 1980's I was shooting 30-06 left over from WWI, dated 1918. Right now I have 500+ rounds of 1954 Bulgarian ammo for my Mosin Nagant, and it works just fine.
As far as shotguns, American made pump guns are the way to go, in my opinion. Mossberg, Winchester, Remington, Savage/Stevens are all good. None of my pump guns were bought new - you can save money buying used. I prefer to buy from a gun or pawn shop, rather than a private person, that way I know the gun is not stolen. Just have an idea of what new ones cost, and then shop around. A few examples of pump guns in my "collection" bought used:
Remington 870 Super Magnum Express 12 ga, $185. Winchester 1300 Youth Model 20 ga, $165, Stevens 67E 12 ga, $150. The one I paid the most for was an Ithaca Model 37 DS Police Special 12 ga "Riot Gun" made around 1972 for $300. Not exactly cheap, but I really, really, wanted it.
Edited to add: You do not need a tactical, folding stocked, lighted and sighted, short barrel, high capacity shotgun to defend hearth and home. A plain ol' bird gun will be just fine.

[tarheelsman71]

I have a Saiga 12 gauge shotgun, and it is the bomb. Literally!!! It comes with a 5 round magazine. That is great, but for "Personal Protection" it is in a class all its own. Drop in a 10 round magazine of 3" #4 buckshot and you have youself a weapon that will cut them in half or run screaming like a little girl. Add the 20 round MD arms drum and you have a walking claymore mine. Based off of the AK-47 frame, this gun doesnt just talk the talk, it stomps a mudhole and walk it dry. You can do all the things hunting wise with it that you can with a remington 870, but the amount of firepower available with the Saiga is like comparing a slingshot to a catapult. While "David" did great with the slingshot against Goliath, if I am given a choice....Saiga wins.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I have a Saiga 12 gauge shotgun, and it is the bomb. Literally!!! It comes with a 5 round magazine. That is great, but for "Personal Protection" it is in a class all its own. Drop in a 10 round magazine of 3" #4 buckshot and you have youself a weapon that will cut them in half or run screaming like a little girl. Add the 20 round MD arms drum and you have a walking claymore mine. Based off of the AK-47 frame, this gun doesnt just talk the talk, it stomps a mudhole and walk it dry. You can do all the things hunting wise with it that you can with a remington 870, but the amount of firepower available with the Saiga is like comparing a slingshot to a catapult. While "David" did great with the slingshot against Goliath, if I am given a choice....Saiga wins.

I hope yours runs because them POS's at the range i shoot at are worthless! The quality control on them is amlost laughable, jams are inevitable. If you got a good one hang on to it!

[tarheelsman71]

Matt, I agree with you assessment of the jams. but it is easily corrected. 99% of the jams that I have had were ammo related. If you know anything about reloading then you know that the amount of powder etc matters. I found that certain ammo just didnt have enough kick to move eject the shell properly. Changing the setting on gas tube worked this out great but still you have to put the "right" ammo in. But once I figured out the proper ammo, I havent had a jam in 2 years or putting a lot of rounds down range. I will say that I did have some issues with the 10 round mags from promag. They did not fit exactly right. I had to file off some areas to allow the magazine to fit. a 2 minute fix and they were awesome. The 20 round drum fit like a glove on the first load and ran smoothly.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Matt, I agree with you assessment of the jams. but it is easily corrected. 99% of the jams that I have had were ammo related. If you know anything about reloading then you know that the amount of powder etc matters. I found that certain ammo just didnt have enough kick to move eject the shell properly. Changing the setting on gas tube worked this out great but still you have to put the "right" ammo in. But once I figured out the proper ammo, I havent had a jam in 2 years or putting a lot of rounds down range. I will say that I did have some issues with the 10 round mags from promag. They did not fit exactly right. I had to file off some areas to allow the magazine to fit. a 2 minute fix and they were awesome. The 20 round drum fit like a glove on the first load and ran smoothly.

Yep i know loading and hated gas guns when i had one and loaded. I'm glad yours runs but the "right ammo" thing still bugs me. Pumps, singles, bolts and levers dont care. Anyway thats cool glad you got a good one

[Patriot Prepper]

As long as you keep your ammo dry and cool, it could last longer than many of us will live. Buy as much ammo as you can afford. The .22 LR ammo is super cheap 500 rounds under $20 - go to walmart. Match grade .22 LR is a little more costly. What type of rifle do you have and how accurate is?

I have Mossberg and Remmington shotguns. I prefer the Remmington 870 - it just feels like better quality. But both are good.

For the shotgun buy a several types of ammo, including bird, buck, and some slugs. Bird shot is the cheapest and good for practice and hunting small game and birds. Buckshot and slugs are more expensive and used for larger game and self defense.

You should have a side arm as well as a shotgun. Then start thinking of getting a main battle rifle. Defense will be critical. Try to put distance between yourself and the bad guys.

[antishot]

The Remington 870 is the best shotgun hands down in my opinion. It is simple to manipulate and parts are abundant. .

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What Urban Survivalist said.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Bill Spies]

Thank you all for these replies. Eventhough I wasn't the one who initially asked the question, I was always curious about how long ammo would store. As for my weaponry, I have a Ruger SR9 for my side arm, a Mossberg Maverick Model 88 12 gauge, and a Bushmaster XM-15. I had an experience at my home that alarmed me and I armed myself.

[miked2345]

Bill,
How do you like the Maverick?? I just looked at one at Walmart for $177. So far the reviews I've read online seem to be pretty good.

[TyrannyUnleashed]

Unfortunately since I am left handed I generally need to go with Mossberg. But that is okay with me, I really haven't had a problem with the few that I have owned.
As long as they work as expected, I am happy.

Mike

[Bill Spies]

Miked,
Actually, I dont really know yet. lol. I bought it a few weeks ago and I havent had the chance to shoot it. I have a 9 yr old here and I dont think he is mature enough to know that I have these items...not yet. So, I don't have the opportunity to test some of these things yet. Some day soon, I plan to send him to my in-laws for the weekend and take my wife and older son out to shoot all of them. Actually, I'd like us all to take the NRA classes in firearm safety.

[50BMG]

If you like pump shotguns I have a Mossberg 590A1 and love it. Built like a tank and holds lots of ammo. The sights are very good also.