[SomeKid]

Well, I finally got some old military ammo cans, and need to get some dessicant for them. The good news is the rubber seal looks real good, so I am not horribly worried about them. However, I want my ammo to work in the future, so where can I buy some dessicant online, and what would do good? Who has good deals? Thanks for any help.

[Billy_H]

I just collect it from boxes when I purchase something...and have my parents and friends do the same and then I pick it up from them when I see them.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Try Midway USA (http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search?TabID=0&category_selector=all_products&search_keywords=dessicant), they usually have pretty good prices or just do a Google search for dessicant. Good luck.

[SomeKid]

Looking at the offerings of Midway, what is the difference between aluminum cans, and boxes, aside from cans being more expensive?

[lucky_fool]

Get a bag of unscented crystal cat litter and put a handful in a piece of pantyhose. It's the same stuff, it just costs a whole lot less.

[SJG26]

Ditto to the "Flower Drying Crystals" available at craft stores..........................

[QuarterBoreGunner]

bag of unscented crystal cat litter and put a handful in a piece of pantyhose
Huh, never thought of that. I'll have to give that a try. Does it change color like the commercial desiccant? Or do you just throw it out after a set period of time?

[Firehand]

I don't believe the litter changes colors, but you don't have to throw it away. After a few months put it in the oven on warm for a few hours, that'll dry it out.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

ok, so you can re-activate it just like commercial desiccant... nice.

Good tip.

[rangerruck]

also , go buy any of the big electronic stores, see if they have a bunch of boxes in the dock area that have been emptied. just ask any of them if they have any of those little bags lying around.

[SomeKid]

Thanks for everything folks, I have bought some desiccants.

[1911JMB]

A while ago I did a search when I had the same question, found out about the litter and I bought some and coated the bottom of my longer term storage ammo cans with it. Is there a good reason to bake it first? Will it still work okay even if you don't bake it? If its really important I think I'm going to have to dig out the ammo and bake the litter.

[SomeKid]

1911,

Just be careful moving around those things. The ammo can I got was a SAW can, nice sized sucker. I haven't even got it full of ammo and it is already quite heavy. I plan to go and buy one of the 20mm ammo cans in the next week. That one is easily twice this ones size.

What I also need is a locking cabinet. It would be the perfect place to put these I think. That, or under some crap in the basement.