[tl]

It occurred to me on my last range trip that if I took my ammunition out of the boxes (I shoot 9mm and 45acp) and put it in a carrier of some sort, I would have a lot less bulk than carrying it in the boxes. Since I've seen ammunition for sale in bulk like this, I assume that it's not a problem to carry ammunition this way; no problem in the sense of not being dangerous, or possibly causing damage that would result in mis-feeds or mis-fires?

[Quantrill]

Some (less than intelligent) folks would mix the ammo which in some cases could be catastrophic. Quantrill

[Dave R]

Lots of ammo is packaged in bulk. Lots of people carry ammo loose in pockets. Pocket lint/gunk is probably not a good thing to get on your ammo before putting it in a firearm. So this is probably not the best thing to do from a firearms hygiene standpoint, but there's little/no danger of an accidental discharge, if that's what you were asking.

There are many ammo carrying accessories on the market, which are a better solution than pocket carry. Wallets, belts, bandoliers, vests with cartridge loops, butt cuffs on stocks, magazine pouches, etc.

[tl]

Not planning to mix different ammo in one container, and not planning to carry it in a pocket; both good points. I've seen soft cartridge cases, which I think were for shotgun or centerfire rifles, similar to what I was envisioning, or a cloth bag or pouch of some sort (maybe homemade); basically something soft sided that would collapse or mold around the amount of ammo I'm carrying, to reduce the bulk and square shape. Long term storage will be in the original boxes on a shelf. Thanks for the replies.

[burrhead]

I've been storing my handgun reloads in three pound coffee cans for years. I don't see any problems with that. Several years ago Dillon used to sell a range bag that had two zippered compartments, side by side. You put your loaded ammo in one compartment and, as you created empty brass, it went into the other one. Neat system. Rifle reloads I keep in boxes. YMMV.

[Nightcrawler]

I haul my shotgun shells around in a .50 cal ammo can, but they're all one type of shell (Federal Low Recoil).

Just don't mix 'em up.

You might want to get like a container or something, like a bucket or an ammo can, instead of just, you know, coming to the range and holding out your shirt like a hammock for your loose ammo. :D

[tl]

Ok, I just had a 'duh' moment. In my original post I was thinking of something I'd seen in my other 'shooting' interest (photography), basically a drawstring flexible bag. This happens to be a lens bag (one of the more expensive ones, but to give the idea):

http://www.billingham.co.uk/prodbuy.asp?id=77

[Dave R]

Fine idea. People at Sporting Clays ranges often use a flexible bag to hold their shotgun shells.

[mrtgbnkr]

A Crown Royal bag should do the trick...but it might give the wrong impression. LOL....:D :p

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I have found the use of a carpenters apron very
useful, while on the range. Just tie the strings tightly
around your waist, and dump the ammo into all of the
pockets that are provided. It can be used for all loose
ammo, loaded speed loader's, or loaded magazine's.
Please use this procedure one caliber at a time!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[rayra]

drawstring bags etc might seem like a good idea, but consider whether they are sturdy enough to carry a few hundred rounds. That's usually quite a bit more weight than such bags were originally carrying.

Dillon's 'Border-shift' bag is still available - http://dillonprecision.com/template/p.cfm?maj=11&min=0&dyn=1& (halfway down page) - and what I've seen from using my friend's, it is very nice and well made.

And also adding the warning about being careful not to mix such bulk ammo.

[tl]

rayra-
Point taken on the weight; I'm thinking of no more than 200 rounds at a time (or per bag), and probably wouldn't rely on the drawstrings only for support. Also, some of the lens bags are designed to hold large telephoto lenses, which can weigh between 6 and 10 pounds. Natchez shows 4 boxes of 50 45acp at 11.2 pounds, so not too much difference at the top end.

I looked at the Dillon bag after seeing burrhead's post, but didn't see dimensions listed on the dillonprecision.com web site. Do you know approximately what the size is? Thanks.

[einnor1040]

I take my reloads to the range in those big peanut jugs with a screw top on them.

[Redfern]

Ejected brass create mini K-Boom
While I was emptying a magazine at the range, I hear a sound behind me and to the right. It sounded like a small firecracker going off. I figured it was an echo and shot the remaining rounds in the clip.

I turn to the table (behind me and to the right) to reload my clip, and my open ammo box is blown in half, with rounds scattered on the table and ground.

A nice round 45 hole in the bottom of the box, and no hole in the wooden table.

A hot, ejected case actually set off a round in the ammo box, by landing on the primer ! That case must have shot up in the air like a rocket.

I guess those reloads are paying me back for strecthing their mouths over and over.

[Beetle Bailey]

A hot, ejected case actually set off a round in the ammo box, by landing on the primer ! That case must have shot up in the air like a rocket

:what: :what: :what: I am never leaving my ammo boxes open and exposed again :uhoh: .

[rayra]

tl, IIRC the capacity is something like 500rds of .45acp. The bag is roughly 12"L x 10"H x 8"W, but don't quote me on that.

[larry_minn]

Ejected brass create mini K-Boom
While I was emptying a magazine at the range, I hear a sound behind me and to the right. It sounded like a small firecracker going off. I figured it was an echo and shot the remaining rounds in the clip.

I turn to the table (behind me and to the right) to reload my clip, and my open ammo box is blown in half, with rounds scattered on the table and ground.

A nice round 45 hole in the bottom of the box, and no hole in the wooden table.

A hot, ejected case actually set off a round in the ammo box, by landing on the primer ! That case must have shot up in the air like a rocket.

Have to wonder about this one. I have had hot brass hit my hat/stick between shooting glasses and eyebrow. It is hot but not that hot. To be honest I can't think of what else might have done this. The odds of a fired brass landing/sitting on case are worse then me winning the lottery. (I don't buy tickets) :) Now if primers were as sensitive as some folks think a empty hitting edge on could have done it. But I have never seen such sensitive primers. (would be scared to reload if they were.) Much less loose in pocket. :(
Any chance you had a dud/misfire you put back in box that was actually a hangfire? (best possiblity I could think of)

BTW forgot to add. I carry reloads in ziplock bags for range use. Toss a couple bags with 100rds in shooting bag and good to go. Put brass in the afterwards for reloading.

[Abenaki]

My vote is for the Ziplock bags also.
They work and they do the job very well.

Abenaki

[BluesBear]

A nice round 45 hole in the bottom of the box, and no hole in the wooden table. :scrutiny: What happened to the cartridge case? :uhoh:

My guess is that you were shooting a Chinese .45 Broomhandle?

[Phantom Warrior]

I've used Cabela's reloaded ammunition for cheap plinking ammo. It comes in oversized Ziploc-style bags. I used to lug one of those down to the range (300 rounds/ bag) without any problems. Just make sure you buy heavy duty bags. And remember what bag has what ammunition in it to avoid the above mentioned mixups. Permanent marker, perhaps?

[Wildalaska]

Ziplocs...my wife has millions of them...

WildplasticAlaska

[sm]

I got my diploma from the 5 gal bucket school. Then I learnt they make smaller buckets that ain't near as heavy...or you don't want to lug that many rounds...old wire and hole drilled keeps the lid from walking away...makes a nice seat too...

Old blue jeans, especially Levis :evil:...like when you cut off the legs to make shorts...or before tossing because they shrunk ( ahem) or political reasons. If no one will sew one end closed just tie off, fill with ammo, tie off the other end. Makes a great sand bag too. :evil: Levis at range...he he

[Redfern]

Whether it was hot brass, or the rough edge of the case hit the primer, I will never know. The vertically-orientated brass probly just mixed in with the others on the ground.

Assumbly, this is a low pressure explosion, and the bullet and brass seperate themselves. All I can say is that all rounds are potential Mini-kabooms, and each person has got to decide if they feel lucky today.

No loose rounds for me! :D

[BluesBear]

The vertically-orientated brass probly just mixed in with the others on the ground. Does this mean that you didn't look for the one that was just slightly bulged and didn't have a firing pin indent on the primer? :rolleyes:

[rayra]

"because they shrunk ( ahem)"
lol - I have a few pairs of those. durned laundry.

[Phil Ca]

Ziplock bags are great, the freezer type are the best.

Whatever you do, DO NOT place ammo in any bag, briefcase or carry-on item that you intend to carry aboard an aircraft. The sniffing machines at the security checkpoint will sound off and you will have to visit a small, drab room and speak to unpleasant people who will insist you are a terrorist.

:cool:

[ambidextrous1]

I usuallu use the Dillon "border shift" bag, which is large enough to contain .45 ACP ammo for two shooters, one session.

For weekend events, I use the GI 30 caliber ammo cans.

No one has mentioned the "coin bags", used by the banks to transport and store "silver" and "copper" coins. They're very durable - but not nearly as handy as the Dillon bag, which has a shoulder strap.

I'm amazed that the strange ignition of an unchanbered round would impart enough energy to the bullet for it to penetrate the bottom of the container. If the table had no hole in it, the bullet should have been nearby - or am I missing the finer points of the account?

[tl]

I'm going to the range this afternoon (to take advantage of what may be the last 70-degree day in central Iowa this year), and will be using Ziplock bags for now. I tore off part of the box and put it in the bag with the ammo to identify brand/ caliber etc.

The Dillon bag looks great, but is larger than I'm looking for now; 200 rounds is about my maximum for a handgun shooting session. For the future, my wife has volunteered to make me a soft, collapsible pouch out of some light canvas-like material that she has, with a velcro closure and a handle, approximately 7"x9"x2.5"; she says it's about a hour's worth of time for her.

[mwithers72]

I shoot mostly pistol at the range and I find it best to use old ammo cans for 3.00 a pop it does just great. I do tend to carry 1000+ rounds when I go so the ziploc bag would not work to well for me.