BOTR (bug out to range) bag/box?

[1911 guy]

Most of us probably buy ammo in bulk, simply because over the long run it saves a little money. Reloading used to be a big money saver, but that effect has diminished a bit. And we probably learned a lesson in the last panic to keep some extra on hand for future shortages.

Anyway, this has more to do with what we keep on hand to shoot, rather than socked away for a rainy day. I use ammo cans to store almost all my ammo, from .22 rimfire up to .308, including shotgun shells.

But I've got this one particular can. A 40mm can. All the rest are specific amounts in one caliber (and all the others are also .50 cal. cans). This can is a collection of several in odd amounts. 84 rounds of .45ACP. 150 rounds of .223, 100 rounds of .22 rimfire, 25 rounds of 12 gauge. 40 rounds of .308 Win. All are in magazines or plastic boxes.

It's the "range can". If I am planning a range trip, I raid the stash, load up the car with what I want to shoot. However, range trips sometimes come up suddenly with no chance to prepare, even the 15 minutes it takes to open cans, fill a range bag, gather magazines, etc. This can has it all. I can grab whichever of the several guns I shoot most, put the "range can" in the car and call it good. It's not enough to get me through a full day of shooting, but i can get through a decent range session with nothing but the can, a target, and one of a dozen guns I have in these calibers.

Anybody else do something like this, or am I an ammo can addict and just looking for ways to justify my habit?

 

[B!ngoFuelUSN]

Nope, you're not alone. I confess that I don't have a 40 range can (nor have I ever seen one) but I actually have two 50 cal cans (green ammo cans) for the range.
One is for long guns (excluding shotguns). It has a collection of 308/7.62 and 223/5.56 in it. A variety of loads of each, but enough to enable me to shoot one specific load for a session if I want to (assuming it's not an all-day shoot).
The second is a little more difficult. It's the handgun can and has 9x19 (115, 124 and 147 if I think of it), 45acp (just 230 ball) and then the issue of having enough space for 38S, 357M, 44S and 44M. That's about 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack so I usually make a conscious choice of whether I'm going to bring a revolver at all.
I also keep .22LR in my range bag since its small and easy to carry in my backpack, but I'm considering adding a third range box for the revolver ammo and .22LR.
Then there's the shotgun can(s). I have many ammo cans full, but currently no shotgun.
So after a range visit (or before the next) I inventory what I used in the range boxes and top them off. Then when heading out I put all two (or soon three) in the car and head off, separate from deciding what firearms to bring.
I also have a number of ammo cans full of the same type of cartridge/manufacturer/weight so if I think I'm going to be focused on one type of shooting, I'll grab a full can of that as well. All of the cans mentioned above contain ball ammo. I use a separate set of 30 cal cans for defensive (e.g. hollow point) rounds though I usually throw one small box of each cartridge in the range can just to function check a handgun now and then.
Oh, and all cans are marked with computer printed labels that include 3D bar codes that link to an on-line database.
I'm ex USN and an engineer so can we say 'anal retentive'? Yep, that's me.
B

 

[bannockburn]

I keep a "ready go" can just for those last minute range trips. Typically filled with as much .22, 9mm., .45, and .223 ammo that I can fit in a couple of ammo cans.

 

[Jeff H]

Like quite a lot of us, all my bulk ammo is stored in metal 30 and 50cal ammo cans, but I do have this one plastic ammo can that I got free with an ammo purchase years ago that makes the perfect range can. It is a little bigger than a 50cal can and a heck of a lot lighter. At any given time there is an assortment of ammo in there so it is easy to grab and go but yet big enough that I can toss a couple pistols in the box as well.

 

[C.R.]

I have a duffle bag I use for trips to the range. It is big enough for several pistols in hard cases to fit ,with room for a small cleaning kit,ear muffs,and ammo.

 

[jmorris]

I have a range in my backyard but I have to question the value of a range trip where taking the time to load a bag would be a deal breaker?

That said I do keep "standard" stuff in my "game gun" range bag, 3 gun bag and hunting bag, they contain things I use in the specific activity I have packed them for.

No range bag should be without a stapler for example but a pair of binoculars are much more valuable in a "hunting" bag.

 

[Furncliff]

I have a Midway range bag that came with a separate ammo bag, it's big enough to keep all the calibers I shoot on a typical outing to the BLM land where I shoot. Most of the time it lives in my truck.

 

[Bigdog57]

I have a range bag for the usual shooting gear, and generally have a bulk box or a couple plastic 100 round boxes of .22LR in it. Most of my range ammo is kept in a plastic MTM ammo can. I change it out for the particular guns I will be shooting.
I have a separate BP bag for shooting the cap&ball revolvers.
Targets, stapler and spare staples are in their own bag, a tan plastic 'briefcase' my Mother used in her USAF days in the mid fifties. They made things to last back then!

 

[BSA1]

I am a "coffee can" reloader (Folger's to be precise) as I shoot very, very little commerical loaded ammunition. 99% of the ammo I shoot are my reloads. Many of my guns have never had commerical factory ammo shot in them.

In the winter I reload all of my brass and store the loaded cartridges in plastic coffee cans with the lids on. I then write the caliber on a piece of tape on the lid. From experience I know about how many loaded rounds a can holds. As I shoot up my ammo during the warm weather I clean the fired brass and store them in different plastic coffee cans. As coffee cans full of ammo are heavy I put some loaded ammo in 50 round plastic ammo boxes for convenience. I use different color boxes for each caliber. When I go shooting it is simply a matter of grabbing the right color box off of the shelf.

Factory ammo are kept in 30 and 50 caliber ammo cans for long term storage.

 

[herrwalther]

I have a dedicated range bag with the common items I carry to the range, minus ammo and the firearms themselves. My range bag is a large size gym duffel bag and typically contains:

Targets
2 Different ways of mounting targets-a cheap metal stand and a roll of tape
Chronograph and tripod-haven't used it yet but will one of these days
First Aid/trauma kit
Eye and ear protection for those who forgot theirs.
Cleaning kit and small toolset

All that only fills up about half of the bag. The other half is for the guns and ammo I want to shoot. Handguns go in cases or factory boxes into the bag. Ammo goes in by box based on what I am bringing.

 

[MedWheeler]

I use an old, hard-cased split-open box formerly used to carry an oxygen cylinder and accessories on an ambulance. I find it works well to hold several boxes of ammo, including a bulk-pack of .22LR, along with a few basic tools, and my eye/ear protection.

When a range trip comes up (most are not planned much ahead of time), I grab that and three or four guns, and head out. Handguns go in pistol bags or cases, which are then loaded into a duffel bag.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Anybody else do something like this, or am I an ammo can addict and just looking for ways to justify my habit?

I see stuff like this at my range all the time,,,
Many of my co-members have a dedicated ammo box/bag of some ilk.

I have a heavy duty tool bag that I use for that,,,
In it at least 100 rounds of each handgun ammo I shoot.

I keep 500 rounds of .22 LR in it as well.

I use MTM plastic ammo boxes to organize the cartridges,,,
I replenish the boxes to full after a range trip

This usually lives permanently in the trunk of my car,,,
I just grab the guns I want to shoot that day,,,
Then the ammo is always there for me.

Aarond

.

 

[ku4hx]

I'm cheap. Store mine in reusable Wal-Mart 67 cent cardboard boxes. They're about 8" square and when filled aren't too heavy to move about. I do worry about floor strength but have never had a problem. I also use large plastic containers Coffee Mate comes in since they have built-in carry "handles". I have used black mechanics bags but when filled they are just too heavy to easily move about. My son has most of them now.

I've been storing in bulk for decades; don't know any other way.

Range trips we use CED small bags with different loads in labeled heavy duty freezer bags. http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/2208165364/ced-shooting-range-accessory-bag-nylon

I used to use different colors to designate cartridges but now it's just plain old black as my kids got the blue and red ones.

If some disaster happens as some expect, we'll just be staying put unless the house is destroyed and if that happens we're likely goners too. All our stuff is here and we have no plans to run off into the woods with two days food, TP for two days and etc.

As far as "loading up" for a range trip, that's just SOP. Can't enjoy the homemade Peach ice cream without some upfront effort and shooting's no different. It's all ZEN to me anyway ... even the gun cleaning.

 

[jamesjames]

I've never liked fussing with cardboard ammo boxes at the range, so I got a collection of 7 or 8 little uncle mike's nylon zippered pouches. I pour 1-200 rounds in each pouch of the various calibers and have those ready to grab and go when I get the calling to do some shooting. I've got them labeled with plastic key fobs with write on cards for the various calibers. I also tear off the box end of factory ammo and toss it in the bag so I know what I'm shooting.

In my circle we have a running joke about the guy who never has his stuff together when he gets picked up to go to the range. He's always running all over the house trying to find firearms or ammo. Once he arrived at the range all ready to go only to discover he forgot the bolt for his rifle.

Having a system for easily keeping ammo and firearms organized for a sudden range trip is a good discipline for everyone to consider.

 

[Saw-Bones]

Harbor Freight Ammo Boxes

The Downside: They are not airtight or watertight and they will not take hard use. Read the reviews for other objections

The Upside: They are ideal for my purpose of short term storage of hand loaded practice ammo. They have carry handles and they stack. I found a coupon in a magazine (don’t remember which) for a sale price of $4.99 each.

I bought 5 for individual use in the calibers I use most and I am very satisfied.

http://www.harborfreight.com/ammo-box-61451.html#reviews

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I do a very similar thing, letting some ammo aggregate in a 20mm ammo can for easy grab n' go. I also have some stashed in the bottom of a Stanley tool box used in lieu of a range bag. Bulk ammo gets sorted into labeled .50 & .30 boxes when my lazy self gets around to it.

 

[Hardtarget]

I do not keep a "range go-can"...or anything like it.
Even a go now decision requires no real time. Guns in case, range bag gets the ammo for the guns I'm taking. Scope, rest, shooting mat...I'm gone.
I kind of like the packing and gathering.

Mark

 

[Inebriated]

I have a LaRue **** active shooter bag.


Inside, I have two sets of ear pro, a first aid kit, 6 Glock mags, a pari of Mechanix, and spare batteries for optics and lights. Outside, I have a pouch for a multitool, a pouch for a knife, and a 3-mag shingle that'll hold AK or AR mags. In the large back panel, I have a Glock 21 in a thin $8 Glock holster.

I don't really have it for emergency range visits, per se... I have my own property that I use as my main shooting range, but I'm also there pretty often for other reasons. The bag is there just in case I feel like shooting while I'm there.

 

[BSA1]

I had one of those plastic ammo/gun stuff ammo type containers. It work ok until one day I accidently dropped it on the concrete floor and learned the meaning of "don't cry over spilled ammo" or something like that.

When I go to the range I put my 50 round ammo boxes in a cardboard box. Everything else goes into a large range box from MidwayUSA. It has storage space in the lid for two pair of earmuffs, a flat type of cleaning supplies such as jags, bronze brushes, cleaning patches. In the lower compartment are staple gun, extra staples, targets, screwdriver kit, oil, grease, yada, yada, yada. It is always full of my gear and sits ready to go at a moments notice. It is a bit on the heavy side.

 

[entropy]

Most of us probably buy ammo in bulk, simply because over the long run it saves a little money. Reloading used to be a big money saver, but that effect has diminished a bit. And we probably learned a lesson in the last panic to keep some extra on hand for future shortages.

Anyway, this has more to do with what we keep on hand to shoot, rather than socked away for a rainy day. I use ammo cans to store almost all my ammo, from .22 rimfire up to .308, including shotgun shells.

But I've got this one particular can. A 40mm can. All the rest are specific amounts in one caliber (and all the others are also .50 cal. cans). This can is a collection of several in odd amounts. 84 rounds of .45ACP. 150 rounds of .223, 100 rounds of .22 rimfire, 25 rounds of 12 gauge. 40 rounds of .308 Win. All are in magazines or plastic boxes.

It's the "range can". If I am planning a range trip, I raid the stash, load up the car with what I want to shoot. However, range trips sometimes come up suddenly with no chance to prepare, even the 15 minutes it takes to open cans, fill a range bag, gather magazines, etc. This can has it all. I can grab whichever of the several guns I shoot most, put the "range can" in the car and call it good. It's not enough to get me through a full day of shooting, but i can get through a decent range session with nothing but the can, a target, and one of a dozen guns I have in these calibers.

Anybody else do something like this, or am I an ammo can addict and just looking for ways to justify my habit?

Nope. I do it too. I have three range cans; a .30, a .50 and a SAW box. The .30 has .22, .38 Spl., and .45 ACP in it. The .50 says 'milsurp ammo' on it, and has 7.62x54R, 8mm Mauser, .223, and 7.62x39 in it. The SAW box has more of all of the above, and comes with for a 'big range day'. It is also the first ammo can I'd grab in a bugout.

 

[sawdeanz]

It used to be easier when I only had one gun. Now I still don't have that many but I have enough that I usually have to leave one or two at home, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I've figured I need to designate a dedicated multi tool and eyes and ears. Otherwise I'm apt to forget something

 

[cc-hangfire]

I keep my range supplies in an old Lands End bookbag backpack that is one of my sons used in high school. Re-purpose/re-use/recycle, you know! It's a testament to how well built those book bags are since it outlasted several years of an abusive teenager and can still lug around 25-30 pounds of assorted ammo, ear muffs, small first aid kit, & small cleaning kit. Having shoulder straps makes it super convenient, too. It's the "always ready" range bag; I'll load up another ammo can if it'll be a longer range day.