how do you store ammo? Im a high polish brass addict!!

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docgary

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I admit it - Im a high polish brass addict!!:banghead:

I spend an obscene amount of time cleaning and polishing my brass.

On one of my 'out-of-control' days, I actually
hand polished 1000 .223 cartridges with Flitz.

I ran out half ways but completed my relapse
with Mothers Aluminum and Mag Polish
(the best stuff around -if you can find a connection)

My question is not how to recover from this affliction but how to
store my beloved jewels to prevent oxidation and changes from humidity.

I thought of some kind of humidity-free closet or safe but price is prohibitive.

Normally, I store ammo in plastic MGM plastic boxes and baggies.
However, since I keep all gun related stuff in my garage,
it gets affected by the ambient temp and humidity.

Here in NJ, the past coupla weeks have seen high temps and
humidity destroying the beloved mirror-like surface to the brass.

In the privacy of my garage, I actually use
cotton gloves to place all ammo in boxes and bags.
(At the range, I use the gloves when loading mags if no one is watching)

And then wait for the compliments from the crowd....
" Wow, how do you get that shine?"



I bask in the glory......:cool:




Any suggestions appreciated ( zip lock bags dont cut it)

Im really fiending!!!:uhoh:

TIA
docgary
 
I generally keep my ammo in re-used factory ammo boxes inside GI ammo cans with some of those little dessicant bags thrown in. If the gasket on the ammo can is in good shape, it will form an airtight seal. I recently ran across a bunch of brass I had resized and tumbled several years ago, and it had lost none of its luster inside the ammo can. The only thing that may have changed was that the brass took on a somewhat deeper golden color, however it was still very shiny and clean. Freshly polished brass always seems lighter to me, more like white gold.

PS - the ammo can full of old brass had been in my garage for 7-8 years, and we're certainly no strangers to heat and humidity down here. No degradation at all!
 
You need to see a doctor.

Why not bring a tumbler to the range and keep it running next to your bench? You could pull them out and shoot them before they could tarnish at all.

I don't think it's the humidity as much as the air pollution. I live in Phoenix, and there isn't any humidity here most of the time, but the brass still gets dull after a while.

They make these huge zip-lock storage bags that hold like 10 gallons. You could put one of those in a styrofoam cooler and toss all of your ammo boxes in there with a gun safe dessicant box, a sock with some baking soda inside, and some activated charcoal. That ought to be a cheap way to control the heat and humidity and soak up a lot of the pollution inside.

If you really want to go crazy (crazier?) you could go find out who sells medical gasses in your town and buy some dry nitrogen and blow out the bags with that before you close them. Hard to tarnish in an oxygen poor environment, I'd imagine.

I like mine shiny too, but mine end up with finger prints. Makes them look loved.

You could always try nickel plated brass too. It corrodes a lot more slowly, but then you get the silver color rather than the nice brassy look.

-J.
 
How about some pictures of all that ammo? You know...dump it on the floor and make it look cool.

Seriously though, try some .50cal ammo cans and some desicant.
 
I got this tip from one of our moderators a few years back. Sounded off, a little out there. But it works.

For you final polish use untreated media in your tumbler with a tablespoon or so of kerosene.

Sounds weird. Works.
 
Have you ever considered storing it in vaccum sealed food storage bags?
 
I haven't done it in a while, but for a time when I was being really anal about shiny cases I would wear gloves when loading them. If I can keep the acids and oils from my skin off of them, they stay shiny for a long long time. That's the key.
 
In the privacy of my garage, I actually use
cotton gloves to place all ammo in boxes and bags.
(At the range, I use the gloves when loading mags if no one is watching)

And then wait for the compliments from the crowd....
" Wow, how do you get that shine?"
I bask in the glory......
Click to expand...


This is a joke, Right?:what::confused::eek:;)
 
Bullet.......This is a joke, Right?
Click to expand...

Nope...sort of tongue-in-cheek, though!:p


rich_t .....Have you ever considered storing it in vaccum sealed food storage bags?
Click to expand...

Now that's a good idea! ( 'light bulb over head' smiley!)

It really should give me my fix!!!


Strongbad... I haven't done it in a while, but for a time when I was being really anal about shiny cases I would wear gloves when loading them.
Click to expand...

Re-read my post again - been there..done that!


jr_roosa...... You need to see a doctor.
Click to expand...

That's the problem..I am one!


rich_t.....Sound like an OCD to me. :)
Click to expand...
Don't you think that most of us reloaders have a touch of OCD? Come on! Geez!


Halo.... I generally keep my ammo in re-used factory ammo boxes inside GI ammo cans with some of those little dessicant bags thrown in. If the gasket on the ammo can is in good shape, it will form an airtight seal. I recently ran across a bunch of brass I had resized and tumbled several years ago, and it had lost none of its luster inside the ammo can. The only thing that may have changed was that the brass took on a somewhat deeper golden color, however it was still very shiny and clean. Freshly polished brass always seems lighter to me, more like white gold.

PS - the ammo can full of old brass had been in my garage for 7-8 years, and we're certainly no strangers to heat and humidity down here. No degradation at all!
Click to expand...


AND THE WINNER IS....HALO!!!

THAT PROTECTION WITH RICH T'S VACUUM STORAGE BAGS
WILL SET ME UP WITH JEWELS FOR YEARS TO COME!!!

THANKS ALL!! MY FIRST BORN SON TO ALL OF YOU!
( HE'S 25 YEAR OLD)

docgary

PS
Bartkowski ...How about some pictures of all that ammo? You know...dump it on the floor and make it look cool
Click to expand...

As requested...coming soon!
 
Well am looking forward to the pictures.

Wish I had enough ammo to worry about long term storage...
 
"gloves" some people have very acid hand, finger print on guns out for display will rust almost overnight. "storage" 30 caliber GI ammo cans, if you can still find them, no boxes used, loose bulk.
 
Well am looking forward to the pictures.
Click to expand...

We might need shades. :D

I have worn gloves to handle brass I was going to store for later. YEARS later, it still looks good. :)
 
You can get white cardboard ammo boxes with styrofoam inserts for any kind of ammo from Midway pretty cheap. I use the 50 round boxes for .40/.45, and can put 6 of those in a surplus .30 cal. ammo can. 300 rounds of .40 or .45 per can, that's heavy enough for me. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=663302

I also print up labels for the boxes, that show what the caliber is, bullet type/weight, powder type/weight, and the # of the Lee powder disk. These are handwritten, I print them complete now. DSCN1498.gif

Or, you can just dump your rounds loose into the can, but in boxes you can have several types of ammo/bullets/powder/etc. in the same can, but not mixed together.
 
My wife just got a Seal-a-meal, I had rolled around the idea of sealing some of my reloads for long term storage with it. I know some of that Iron Curtain ammo my son has is sealed in metal cans and its 50 years old and good as new.
 
I guess I should also admit to being a glove user when handling my reloads. I have a box of nitrile gloves on my reloading bench. Initially I wore them just to minimize my exposure to lead residues, but quickly realized the nice extra benefit was brass free of fingerprints.

I periodically hit the gaskets of my GI cans with a light coat of silicone spray. It helps keep them from getting dry and brittle, so they keep a good seal.
 
Rondog ....You can get white cardboard ammo boxes with styrofoam inserts for any kind of ammo from Midway pretty cheap. I use the 50 round boxes for .40/.45, and can put 6 of those in a surplus .30 cal. ammo can. 300 rounds of .40 or .45 per can, that's heavy enough for me. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=663302
Click to expand...

Maybe serendipity or happenstance, but I find the fact that I ordered the EXACT product you suggest less than 24 hours before your post, slightly unnerving!

See below my saved invoice of the order...
__________________________

Product Description Status Quantity Price
Each Product
Total Move/Delete
Sierra MatchKing Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 69 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail Box of 500
Product #: 224712
View Suggested Product(s) Above
Available $89.99 $89.99

CB-05 Ammo Box with Styrofoam Tray 223 Remington, 30 Carbine 50-Round Cardboard White Box of 25
Product #: 597634
Available $15.79 $15.79

Frankford Arsenal Peel and Stick Reloader's Labels Rifle/Handgun Package of 100
Product #: 798107
Available $7.99 $7.99


Frankford Arsenal Perfect Fit Reloading Tray #2 17 Remington, 223 Remington, 30 M1 Carbine 50-Round Blue
Product #: 888804

Postage, Handling & Insurance
Return Policy
Warranties
In-Stock Total: $123.75
Backorder Total:* $0.00
Shipping Estimate: See Estimate
Special Handling Charge:† $0.00
Sales Tax:†† Please sign in

Subtotal: $123.75
Click to expand...
 
they said I had OCD for cleaning my gun to often.

Shiny brass, gloves and a little rag just a little spray silicone on the rag.
wipe off the ammo when putting into ammo boxes. Never keep it just dumped into a large box it might get dinged. so put into clean boxes and store it in an ammo can with a good seal. Moisture desicant or the little carboard rust inhibator chips will help keep it longer.

keep em shiny. look good, can see any defects easier. so this is also safer.
 
yup, you HAVE to get ammo cans! genuine army surplus ones, with a good gasket. or, i have read that a "Seal-a-Meal" works great also. it vacuums out all of the air, so what goes in, stays like it is until the vacuum is broken. it is also supposed to keep your ammo fresh. i have been looking for one at a garage sale all summer. i do not want to pay retail for it. and, i LOVE shiney brass also! i am not quite as addicted as you are, but i have been known to hand polish (simichrome) some brass in my days.
 
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