I've got a question about Antique Shotgun Shells......?

Question

It's an original box of 25 12ga shotgun shells, Western Xpert, Paper shells: 3 Drams Equiv 1 Oz No. 5 Shot. What would these be worth in todays market? Thank you

Answer 1

A lot depends on the condition of the box itself, ... the design on the box, ... the condition of the ammunition. Try doing a search on either of the links below for collector ammo. You should get an idea of approximate value with the going prices for ammo of the same type, age, etc. See links.

Answer 2

Paper went out pretty much in the 1960's. The condition of the box and ammo is what will count. Some of these can look virtually new but the market isnt always so hot.

Many of those shells will still reliably fire unless you can see they are swollen and wont even chamber in a gun. The main problem with older shells would be the lead " oxidizing" into a large lead clump. I have shot a pheasant with one of those shells and luckily I hit it but it reacted as though it was hit with a slug. And left about as much meat as a slug would.

I would think for some really nice shells and full complete boxes, you should get about 10 bucks a box which is about 4-5 times what they cost in the 60's.