I would be willing to send some of my South African ammo (20-40 rds.) to someone with a chronograph so we can all see how much velocity the 20+ year 5.56 ammo has lost. If it is still stepping out at a respectable speed I would think it could still be considered good SHTF ammo.

Anyone want to do some testing? IM me.

NYP

Take the plunge, as I did, and buy a Chrony.  Less than $100 delivered from several sources.  

BTT.

check your IM.

I did this, and posted results here a few months ago.  Don't have the figures handy, but the SA ran about 3375 fps through the 20".  In the 11.5 it was faster than Wolf 55 through the 20".  

I thought the ES was large, guessing that's a reflection of age?

Sam

NYP; I doubt very much that any modern ammo in a sealed battle pack that is stored under ideal conditons would experience any significant degradation in that amount of time. The world is full of 50 year old and older ammo that was stored in less than ideal conditions and it is still 'hot'. I still have one of those SA 1983 battle packs and am planning on opening it when I take my 16" AR to the range to sight in. I will also be using commercial and other military 55 grain, as well as commercial, military and hand-loaded 62 grain that day to see how they work with my set-up (16" Olympic HBAR, 1 in 9).

NYP - I am about to test the new Wolf serbian import ammo and do a review.

For shits and giggles, I am going to also test, on the same day, in the same gun:

55gr Q3131A
55gr American Eagle AE223
55gr XM193
55gr Black Hills
45gr Winchester Varmint

Anything else I can scrounge up.

If you want me to add your SA ammo - send me a box of 30 rounds... and I will add it.  Should be a good post....