22a and .22 shelf life....

[ScottE]

I went to a local gun shop yesterday to find a laser grip for my XD. To my dismay, they cost $275 which was out of my budget. I ended up buying a new S&W 22a for $197 using the cost of ammo as my justification. The grip has some plastic edges where the grip comes together on the inside, but other than that, it feels good in my hand. What is a good (inexpensive) red-dot scope that would work on the 22A?

Also, I have a box of 500 .22 rounds that my grandmother gave me many years ago, but I don't know how old they are and how safe they would be to shoot. The individual boxes say Western Super X SX22LR and "40gr. Lubaloy Coated Bullet - Special Dry Wax Lubricant. The price tag on the individual boxes is .59$. Should I shoot these?

Thanks,

ScottE

 

[kingpin008]

Scott - congrats on the 22A - they're great pistols. Gonna get myself one soon. I can't comment on a good red-dot, as I don't know a whole heck of a lot about 'em. The best I could recommend is something from BSA, but once again, I'm no expert.

As far as the ammo goes - ammo doesn't really go bad. Unless the box has been stored in a wet environment and the cases are corroded/split/otherwise damaged, they're just fine. One thing that might happen with age, is that the lead bullets may develop a bit of a "patina", or white coating. This can happen if the lead has been exposed to the air for a long period of time, but in general even if they do have such a look to them, they'll be fine.

Have fun with your new pistol and don't worry about those old .22's!

 

[CB900F]

ScottE;

No, the ammo shouldn't give you any problems if you shoot it. But, if it's that old, in an original box, and the box is in any sort of decent shape, find out what it's worth to the cartridge collector's before you shoot it up.

It's entirely possible that that one brick might finance a lot more current ammo - even at today's prices. I'm not a collector & don't know for sure, but I'm sure I'd check.

900F

 

[WoofersInc]

I put on one of the BSA red dots that you can find at WalMart on my 22A. So far it has held up just fine. As for the ammo I could not say.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got one of the BSA's on a Ruger 22/45. Works well enough for me.

 

[Ala Dan]

.22 caliber ammo should last most of your lifetime; unless exposed to
weather elements, or other hazards that may have dented the cases
in which case I would dispose of 'em.

 

[VARifleman]

I agree with CB900F, check to see if it has collector's value. One of my friends sold eley match ammo from around 1960 for 50 bucks for 100 rounds. But that's a different case requiring a long explanation of why that's valuable.

 

[Jkwas]

My experience with the 22A is that it likes the high velocity ammo like CCI mini mags or the Fiocchi. The low velocity target loads seem to be more so for bolt actions and don't cycle the slide as well. Just shot mine today. You'll love it. Get yourself a boresnake for it and you're good to go.