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1Hawkeye
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S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Oct 1st, 2024 at 6:06pm
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Does spg bullet lube break down over time in loaded rounds? I'm getting ready to switch over to it from using the RCBS bullet lube but am wondering about if it has a life span because I sometimes load ammo that sits for a  few years before I need it. I know that the RCBS (nra formula) can sit forever but SPG is a little different.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #1 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 6:24pm
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Depends on the storage area temperature. If it's mid 70's or lower no problem, but if your storage room gets higher temps then SPG may begin to melt and seep into the cases.
My room is in my basement and I have no issues with bullets loaded and lubed with SPG stored for a long time.
  

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JHand
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #2 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 7:13pm
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I did get the tip for black powder lube to store bullet down. That way if the lube does start to seep, it runs out of the case vs down into the powder. 

For longevity, I've had ammo loaded for a few months with no problem
  
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marlinguy
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #3 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 7:55pm
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JHand wrote on Oct 1st, 2024 at 7:13pm:
I did get the tip for black powder lube to store bullet down. That way if the lube does start to seep, it runs out of the case vs down into the powder. 

For longevity, I've had ammo loaded for a few months with no problem


That's good for BP load that have full cases, but for smokeless loads putting cartridges bullet down will cause powder to stick to the bases of the bullets and stay there. The rest of the powder will drop back against the primer, and that could cause deviations or spreads in velocity.
  

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Deadeye Bly
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #4 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 8:06pm
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I shot some ammo that was at least 5 yrs old to get the cases for another rifle and it shot as good as when new. It was stored in my basement the entire time.
  
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westerner
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #5 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 8:54pm
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1Hawkeye wrote on Oct 1st, 2024 at 6:06pm:
Does spg bullet lube break down over time in loaded rounds? I'm getting ready to switch over to it from using the RCBS bullet lube but am wondering about if it has a life span because I sometimes load ammo that sits for a  few years before I need it. I know that the RCBS (nra formula) can sit forever but SPG is a little different.


So what you really need is someone who stored fixed ammo lubed with Spudge and after twenty years took them apart to see if the Spudge deteriorated. Good luck with that.  

Load it and shoot it.   Smiley
  

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KaiserKong
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #6 - Oct 1st, 2024 at 11:43pm
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I recall either Townsend Whalen book Why Not Load Your Own or Phil Sharp’s Handloader book discussion lube longevity. Many lubes have the tendency to oxidize and crack/chip off if the grooves are exposed (not in the case neck). Apparently if the lube has lanolin in it that prevents or minimizes the oxidation and greatly extends life of the lube.
  
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silver
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #7 - Oct 2nd, 2024 at 7:23am
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My experience is if the lube grooves are exposed
The lube does tend to dry out. But not in the case.
It will get a little brittle and can fall out of grooves. Lube in cases
Will turn green, don’t know if that affects it or not.
I shoot whatever I load that year . I don’t let it sit all winter 
Due to very dry air. Your environment my vary the drying out.
  
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Re: S P G loaded ammo shelf life
Reply #8 - Oct 2nd, 2024 at 9:45am
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I inherited a supply of bullets from a friend's estate that were cast and lubed in 1954. As of about 2020, when I last loaded some they were doing peachy. I never considered relubing them, but I really cannot say what the lube is. That one, at least, goes the distance.
  
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