Safety of ammo the went through fire?

[DougB]

A friend of mine recently has a serious fire at his home. He had quite a bit of ammo in a gun safe that wasn't in the hotest part of the fire, but did receive external fire damage (so apparently at least the outside was pretty hot for awhile). None of the ammo in the safe went off, and there is no obvious damage to the guns or ammo in the safe, so I don't think it could have been too hot inside.

Could exposure to moderately high tempratures have damaged the ammo so as to make it dangerous to use? I know that powder can brake down a somewhat over time (many years), but I'm not sure what being heated would do to it. My guess is that its okay, but I wouldn't want to give incorrect advice - anyone know about this?

I told him I would be more concerned about the heat treatment of the steel in the firearms, but since stocks didn't burn or melt, my guess is that the temprature couldn't have been hot enough for long enough to make the guns unsafe.

Thanks

Doug

 

[Preacherman]

If it didn't get hot enough to melt or discolor the stocks on his guns, the ammo is unlikely to have been hurt much. Shoot it and enjoy!

 

[Feanaro]

I don't see why it wouldn't be safe to shoot. Unless the heat somehow caused the powder to expand, or effects the way it burns. Might get unsafe pressures... but I can't see why.

 

[griz]

If you store ammo in hot conditions (like an attic) the powder will deteriorate much quicker than at room temperature. But that's a long term problem, at least years, maybe decades. I would shoot the ammo within the next few years and not worry about it.

 

[P95Carry]

Ditto what has been said - short term heat ... not really a major problem at all.

Sustained high temps? Much more concerned in case of powder degradation.

 

[BluesBear]

It should be good to go for normal shooting.

If any of it was military ammo the lacquer sealant might be compromised and that could compromise it's waterproofing. But unless you plan on snorkeling with it, it'll be OK.