Anyone else hate non-efficient ammo packaging?

[holdencm9]

Partially a vent, but also questions.

It just mildly irritates me when certain manufacturers like Remington UMC (for instance) put 20 rounds of .223 in a box with the same volume (nearly) as four boxes of PMC Bronze. Because with PMC the rounds are just laid in the box nice and tight with no protection, and the UMC has a big block of foam. It seems like such a waste. Same for handgun ammo. I like the way PMC, Herter's, S&B, etc. are just laid in there nice and tight. I can fit several boxes in a small range bag pocket no problem. UMC is the worst offender for over-foaming their boxes, but there are some others out there too I believe.

My question is why do some manufacturers do this? Is it for "safety" or to "protect" the rounds? I guess I can understand the protection for match-grade or SD rounds, but not practice stuff.Is it so that they can use the same box for multiple cartridges?

All things being equal I definitely try to buy the tightly-packed stuff, but maybe some of you reloaders like the foam for re-use? Just thinking out loud here.

Kind of a silly nit-pick but that's what the internet is for, amiright?

 

[CoRoMo]

Is it so that they can use the same box for multiple cartridges?

This is my guess.

They probably contract with a cardboard container company who prints their boxes up for them, and they get a volume discount if that company only has to print onto one box size -or a small number of box sizes- rather than a completely different size of box for every single varying ammo type, even within one caliber.

It obviously comes down to money/expenses. They wouldn't do this if it didn't save time and money.

I can imagine that the printing company can acquire say, 100,000 units of box 'A'. It can then print off 'x' number of PMC boxes and 'x' number of UMC boxes without changing out the type of box that they are printing onto.

 

[Skribs]

That doesn't bother me as much as when the round is put in upside-down into the foam. Trying to grab a .380 by the bullet is a pain in the bicycle.

 

[CoRoMo]

And to answer the title question; no, I have not developed a hatred for this packaging issue. There are bigger things in life.

 

[holdencm9]

That doesn't bother me as much as when the round is put in upside-down into the foam. Trying to grab a .380 by the bullet is a pain in the bicycle.

Haha I have never encountered that. But I have heard of people getting boxes with missing rounds, or missing primers in some of the cases, etc. Weird things sure do happen.

And to answer the title question; no, I have not developed a hatred for this packaging issue. There are bigger things in life.

Agreed. Hate is too strong a word anyway. More like "irks" me. But I am naturally curious as to the why of things so I thought I'd ask.

 

[Flashcube]

They should sell ammo like the way you used to get candies and nuts in the market... you know, those lidded bins with a scoop. Brown bag it and pay by the pound...

 

[danweasel]

I like it!

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I recycle all of it, but the less waste the better. I see no need for plastic inside of the boxes.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I don't know about the efficiency side - though they are wasteful - but those dog-gone Federal Hydra-Shok boxes flat piss me off for opening or seeing into without opening.

 

[Robert]

I wish the guy that reloaded my ammo would stop just dumping it into an ammo can... oh wait...

 

[osprey176]

Factory ammo?I didn't know the factories made ammo. I put mine in Zip loc bags.They fit in my range bags real nice.

 

[holdencm9]

They should sell ammo like the way you used to get candies and nuts in the market... you know, those lidded bins with a scoop. Brown bag it and pay by the pound...

Yes! Or the cereal dispensers at hotels, where you turn the knob and all the cereal falls out into your bowl.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

It bugs me as well. To the point where if I have a choice and I'm looking for social shooting ammo I will choose that which is most efficiently and densely packed.

 

[Certaindeaf]

But Sea Turtles need to eat too..





























That was a joke.

 

[mortablunt]

I hate wasteful packaging- period.

 

[gp911]

I think Buffalo Bore may top the inefficient packaging list. Cardboard over a plastic box with a slab of foam inside that is 3x the size it needs to be.

 

[19-3Ben]

They should sell ammo like the way you used to get candies and nuts in the market... you know, those lidded bins with a scoop. Brown bag it and pay by the pound...

My Lord... An ammo bulk bin. Never in my 28 years have I have never heard a more glorious and wonderful idea.
Seriously... brilliant right there! Just write the PLU on a little tag, bring it up front and vuala.

 

[Prince Yamato]

An ammo bulk bin is a fantastic idea! "I'll take 5lbs of 9mm please!"

 

[CountryUgly]

Winchester white box. Huge box all foam and a few dirty bullets.....

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

An ammo bulk bin is a fantastic idea! "I'll take 5lbs of 9mm please!"

There ya go! Or maybe... "Gimme a half gallon of .357. What? No, I don't want two liters - I want a half gallon! Yup, brought my own jar"

And how 'bout that "white box" Country? I haven't bought any in a while - do they still use that crapy styrofoam that crumbles and statically clings to everything in the county like the inside of the magazine, your shooting glasses and ear muffs?

 

[dragon813gt]

The last time I bough Winchester white box for 9mm they were loose in the box. I don't remember having any dividers in the box. I can see people that pan lube liking the plastic dividers that come with say Federal handgun ammo. Allows you to quickly place bullets tightly together in the pan so there is no wasted space.


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[shuvelrider]

Obviously, don't buy the ammo if it offends you. You could always write the company a nasty-gram about it, and vent your rage at them over a piece of styrofoam .
There really are more important things to worry about, just roll your own ammo and be done with it.

 

[Flashcube]

I meant my comment more as a joke, but the more I think about it... the more I think it might actually work. With the accuracy of modern electronic scales, and ammo manufactured under controlled conditions like that of factory ammo... for all intents each round *should* weight the same. Would make it fairly simple to convert it from price per round, to price per pound and cut out the cost of packaging. Would be the same as the cashier at the market hitting the banna button... just it would be the 115grain Federal 9mm button.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I think the factory ammo that I buy is packaged very efficiently. But then again, the only factory ammo I buy is bulk .22 lr.

 

[shotgunjoel]

Those manufacturers with good packaging that you listed are all imported brands. Remington is domestic. It might be that the imported brands want to save on shipping costs, and that domestic brands want to be big and get seen on the shelf.