Ammo Storage

[Jeff H]

Something like these?

Seems like a lot of effort for a small box of 50 bullets.

With pistol bullets, I can go through a box of 50 so fast it makes it not worth it to package them that way. For most calibers I put 100 in a zip lock bag toss it in the ammo can and call it a day. For 9mm and 45 ACP, I load them in the boxes my lead bullets come in. 250 rounds per box that way I usually don't need to bring more than 1 box to the range.

 

[GLOOB]

My favorite boxes for .223 are MTM 100 rd boxes. They're something like 5 bucks and change. They make them in two length for this caliber. The shorter one is specifically for .223 at max OAL. I make mine slightly longer than max for my rifle, and they practically touch the top of the lid. Perfect size. The real hinge is great, too. The Frankford arsenal 100 rd .223 box is much taller, and the solid plastic flex-hinge is annoying at times.

I tried one 50 rd MTM .223 box. And it was terrible. It was obviously designed to hold too many different calibers, so it was too big in every dimension, empty .223 cases would actually fall out with the lid closed. I dunno if they make a better 50rd .223 case. But the 100 rd .223 specific ones are really, really nice.

 

[leadchucker]

Shipping is what makes buying GI ammo cans online expensive. A lot of online surplus ammo sellers also sell GI ammo cans. Most will be glad to ship your ammo in one of their cans if you buy the can from them. Doesn't raise the shipping cost significantly on the ammo. If you need ammo cans, remember that the next time you need to order ammo.

 

[Shmackey]

I shoot my ammo too quickly to store it.

(But really I use the MTM plastic boxes.)

 

[dickttx]

With a little measuring at an army surplus store you can find ammo cans that will work with the 9mm, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and .357 mag. 100 round MTM boxes.

 

[Muddydogs]

Why waste the money to buy MTM ammo boxes and then put them in ammo cans? I have some MTM boxes and they work great for holding rounds and they stack very well but lately I would rather put my money into componets and since I can get ammo cans from the local surplus store for 5 to 10 bucks depending on size I just use them. For 223 I have some 4 x 4 zip lock bags from Uline that I pack 30 rounds each in. For pistol I use the 4 x 6 zip lock bags and think I get 100 40 rounds in them, I will have to check on this bag size and round count. Put the bags in the ammo can and call it a day. I like the smaller bags as I like to keep accurate numbers on my ammo stock but when I do up a large batch of practice rounds for the 40 I have no problem just dumping them into a ammo can.

 

[amlevin]

To answer the question of "what to do with several hundred .223 rounds", I've taken to doing some "dumpster diving" at my club range.

After a weekend of public shooters, most of which do not reload, the garbage cans are full of factory ammo boxes. For .223, look for the Black Hills Ammo boxes that have plastic trays and hold 50 rounds per. Price isn't bad. Just hope someone hasn't dumped their pop or coffee container on the top of the trash and messed up the good ammo boxes.

I collect the plastic ammo holders that are used for larger rifle cases that hold 10 rounds each. I use them to store my .308 reloads. They fit nicely in a 7.62 NATO ammo box when placed on end. 15-18 of these plastic holders to a box. The ballistic tips are protected and all I need to do is grab a couple from the box when heading out to the range. Some days I just take the whole box.

 

[leadchucker]

I'm a dumpster diver for factory ammo boxes for my reloads too. They always fit nicely into the 7.62 or the 5.56 GI ammo boxes.

 

[Chopper duke]

Earth Covered Igloos?

 

[GLOOB]

A box of 100 .223 reloads costs me approx 18.00 dollars plus my time. An MTM 100 rd box costs me 4.50 and can be reused indefinitely. I have MTM boxes for all my reloads. I still keep some old PMC 40SW boxes, though, cuz MTM doesn't make a box specifically for 40SW, yet.

Are you listening, MTM? Please make a holder specifically for what's one of the most popular pistol calibers in the US!

 

[beatledog7]

Concur. .40 S&W rounds rattle about in a box that also holds .45 ACP.

 

[GLOOB]

Rattle, yes. Also can't stuff as much ammo in your range bag.

Not only is the diamater off, but 40SW almost always shorter, even, than 9mm luger max OAL.

If they ever get around to making a 40SW ammo holder, I hope they make the max OAL 1.145". I've yet to see a round nose 10mm bullet.

Oh, gawd. There's another awful thought - A 10mm/40SW ammo holder combo box.

Heck, if they don't do it, maybe I will. I have done some business with CAD designers and injection molding mass manufacturers for my work.