bullet safety

Question
Hi, I was wondering if there are any precautionary measures I need to take with bullets, such as is it a bad idea to shake a box of loose bullets, and what is the best way to store them, is there any possibility that something would set them off without a gun?
Thanks

Answer
The ammunition that you place in your gun is called a cartridge. It includes a bullet (which is the part that fires out of the barrel), a case (usually made of brass), a primer (a small circular part at the back of a centerfire cartridge, or around the rim of a rimfire cartridge, which is hit by the gun's firing pin to cause ignition of the powder), and powder (which propels the bullet from the barrel).

Shaking the box will not ignite the powder. The only way to fire the cartridge is to hit the primer with the gun's firing pin (or to get the cartridge too hot, as if exposed to fire). If you were to crush the back of the cartridge (including the primer) within the jaws of a vise, it might ignite. But any normal handling will not cause ignition.

For reliable storage, keep the cartridges dry.  You should keep them within normal inside temperatures in order to avoid condensation.

Hope this helps!

Dave