Best Way To Store Ammo

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BigGuy52

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What's the best way to store ammo for long periods of time?

I use Army surplus steel ammo cans that have a rubber seal on the lid.

I know they are waterproof, but is there a better way?
 
In NC, where the humidity right now is 100% outside, and 72% inside, I throw in a desiccant pack when storing in rubber-sealed surplus 50-cal cans, because any airborne moisture closed in, stays in.

Les
 
I have found that its best to store ammo in hi cap mags stuffed in a duffle bag ready to roll for when the zombies come.
 
Store mine (in their original boxes) in a dresser drawer. Earlier this year I shot a box of .30-30 ammo that was about 36 years old and they went off just fine.

Also some .22 magnums that were about the same age - worked 100%.
 
I think shrink wrapping your ammo boxes is a good idea for very long term storage, and that's probably what I'll start doing. Right now, I use the ammo can + desiccant approach (we also have high humidity here in Atlanta). My father stores his ammo the same way, and reloads he made 30 or so years ago still go boom.
 
You can store your ammo at my house but I have no gurantees on whether or not it will get fired. :)
 
I have found that its best to store ammo in hi cap mags stuffed in a duffle bag ready to roll for when the zombies come.



OOOOKKKAAAAYYYY!!!!
 
Earlier this year I shot a box of .30-30 ammo that was about 36 years old and they went off just fine.
Click to expand...

But would you stake your life on that ammo if you had a choice? Or would you even take it hunting as your only available ammo?

I store mine in ammo cans in temperature controlled place (ie home with AC), but I still have some in ammo cans stashed in the garage that I need to move out.
 
Any military ammo can that's not damaged is the best way to store ammo for long periods of time.
Our DOD will tell you that ammo stored in an United States ammunition canister will still function after being submersed in fresh water for over 15 years. That's what they were tested for.
I can personally say that when I was in Viet Nam we used .223 ball ammo, ammo cans more then once and I'm still here to talk about it.
Funny thing is I just can't remember any one unwrapping the canisters from shrink wrap prior to us pulling them close to us during a fire fight.
I guess bottom line is just what is considered long term storage? I mean if were going to make the ammo into a time capsule we can take a mil. ammo can, wrap it shrink wrap, coat it with liquid tar,and incase it with concrete in a 55 gallon drum coated with epoxy ! ! !
I personally will stick with the used military cans I get from Sportsman's Guide for $14.99 a can, easy in, take what I need, close it & it's air tight................ Fast too.

Si vis pacem, para bellum ...... Latin, Meaning: ......
If you want peace, prepare for war.
 
What's the best way to store ammo for long periods of time?

I use Army surplus steel ammo cans that have a rubber seal on the lid.
Click to expand...

I think thats the best way myself, w/ a desiccant pack (if applicable) and in a cool/dry area. I smear the gasket with some rubber conditioner as well, just in case. Cheap and effective. After all, those cans are meant to store what?

Ive shot some 8mm ammo from the 30's that was stored like this w/ no problems.

I dont like storing them in the cardboard boxes though...seems like they could become a moisture sponge, depending on your climate of course.
 
Asking the question of ammo storage.
Does anyone have any information on how long can a ammo clip stay max loaded for a semi-auto weapon? Example, my .45 holds 10 +1, ( although I NEVER chamber one for storage )
since I have a CC license I keep the pistol loaded 24/07, clean it once a week and put it back into the leather holster for the following weeks cleaning. And pray GOD I never have to use it.
What I want to know is how long can the factory clips stay loaded? By keeping it loaded does it weaken the spring, or will it eventually break the spring? Again, I use factory clips only, and NOT the aftermarket type. I've had my share of problems with aftermarket clips, and if your life is dependant on shells electing properly, it just isn't worth saving a few dollars to find out the cheaper clip may not function properly in time of need ! ! !

Si vis pacem, para bellum
Latin, Meaning:
If you want peace, prepare for war
 
What I want to know is how long can the factory clips stay loaded? By keeping it loaded does it weaken the spring, or will it eventually break the spring? Again, I use factory clips only, and NOT the aftermarket type.
Click to expand...

My understanding is it is the repetitive loading/unloading that weakens the springs. Storing loaded will not tire the spring to the point of failure.

To test your mags, take an empty one and load one round. If the round is pushed and touches the opening like it is supposed to, the spring is good to go.
 
i have 7 mil ammo cans in my safe with 22/38/357/9mm/45 and shotgun, i think they will work for years to come, i have personaly fired 45 year old reloads with 0 out of 200 ftf....
 
Does anyone have any information on how long can a ammo clip stay max loaded for a semi-auto weapon?
Click to expand...
Well, first, expect the verbage-correctness nazis to swoop in and give you a ration of sh*t for using "clip" when "magazine" is the proper term.

Second, it seems to be well documented that fully-loaded (or partially loaded) mags don't diminish the spring. Don't worry about that. Cycling between compressed and uncompressed wears them out, after a few thousand cycles, that is...

Les
 
wrs840,
Well excuse me sir, I guess 22 years in the military and the last 12 as an Indiana State Trooper didn't teach me a D**N thing.
Clip, Magazine, whatever ! ! ! How about how long will the springs last in that thing that holds all those bullets.
Just kidding .......... To all thanks for your input I do appreciate it ! ! !

Si vis pacem, para bellum
Latin, Meaning:
If you want peace, prepare for war

Is Latin Not German.
 
Well excuse me sir, I guess 22 years in the military and the last 12 as an Indiana State Trooper didn't teach me a D**N thing.
Clip, Magazine, whatever ! ! !
Click to expand...

Seriously, Thank-You for your service. Didn't mean to dog you...

Happy Memorial Day!

Les
 
wrs840,
I sincerely Thank You for your appreciation.
AND BY THE WAY I TOOK WHAT YOU SAID AS A JOKE FROM THE START.
You sir, and your family have a safe holiday.


Si vis pacem, para bellum
Latin, Meaning:
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Again this is Latin and Not German.
 
MTM Caseguard containers

I use the DOD ammo cans too. I found that I can get 1/5 - 1/4 more rds. in each DOD ammo can if the rds. are put into plastic ammo cases first.

A lot of factory fodder comes in boxes that will have styrofoam or plastic trays holding the ammunition, & will take up more space than a plastic case from say... MTM Caseguard, that holds the same number of rds. in a smaller package.

I'll cut the flap off the end of the factory box, & write on the back how much I paid & the date of purchase. I also transfer the batch/lot # if not already printed on it. The bullet information is already on the outside of flap so I save the labels that come w/ the cases for my reloads.

500rds. of 357Sig was all I could fit in a 7.62 ammo can. Switched the rds. to the plastic Caseguard cases & now the same green DOD can will hold 700rds. Easy peasy Japaneesy! :rolleyes:

Oh, FWIW.... I store 5K .22lr loose in a DOD ammo can. I know this will sound ANAL to some, but I re-use my yellow plastic Speer bullet cases from reloading (I have a ton!) to hold my .22lr rds. When buying the little 50rd. boxes (remember those? :confused:), I noticed how the factory stacked the rds. up, down, side by side, etc..

1 Speer bullet case will hold 150 rds. of .22lr! Perfect amount of rds. for a day of hunting or plinking & I don't wind up wasting the bullet containers by throwing them away. It's nice to grab 1 or 2 of those than grabbing a handful of loose rimfires & throwing them in a zip-lock bag.

Just a thought... :rolleyes:

SR:)
 
I've got mine in repainted/refinished ammo cans, with desiccant in each can.

works pretty well it seems. Heavy as all hell, but works.
 
All my bulk ammo is stored in .50 cal ammo cans. You can fit 13 Winchester 500 bulk pack .22's in one can :D. In my safe I have a Eva-Dry dehumidifier that only needs to be plugged in every couple months to recharge the crystals.

As far as the whole loaded mag issue,it's fine to keep them loaded. Think of it as a coat hanger, if you bend it back and forth it will weaken and break...same principals with the mags. :rolleyes:
 
a large, wheeled igloo cooler with dessicant.
Don't know about mil spec or airtight but holds water without leaking so should hold it out too, doesn't look like ammo so no one will immediatly think to steal it, I can wheel the whole thing out to my truck without advertising that I'm going shooting.
 
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