how to store ammo home?
- Thread starter loonie
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I store mine in sealed ammo containers raised off the floor. Learned the hard way when my garage flooded from a broken water heater. I also drop a dessicant package in each containter. I have also seen a lock mechanism that you can add to the ammo containers, but haven't tried it yet.
1911ShooterTJ
Member
+1 on the sealed ammo containers. It doesn't get much easier.
I also find them extremely convenient since all I have to do is label the container and I know exactly where to find all my ammo and what kind of box to grab to go shooting.
I also find them extremely convenient since all I have to do is label the container and I know exactly where to find all my ammo and what kind of box to grab to go shooting.
You state no reason why it would be unsafe to store them in the boxes they came in. I've got a basement full of the stuff and have never had a problem. Some in ammo cans, some in mags, much of it in the cardboard boxes that the originating country packed them into 40 years ago....
Surplus army ammo cans work great. The handles make it a lot easier to cart around than a heavy box. You can buy ammo cans for under $5 at most gun shows.
A desiccant bag tossed in for good measure won't hurt any.
The original cardboard boxes are adequate for storage in a dry environment but tend to disintegrate over time in a damp one. Won't hurt the ammo any though.
A desiccant bag tossed in for good measure won't hurt any.
The original cardboard boxes are adequate for storage in a dry environment but tend to disintegrate over time in a damp one. Won't hurt the ammo any though.
HankB
Member
I use surplus GI ammo cans, and toss in a packet of silica gel.
TallPine
Member
well, i woudn't worry about it until you buy large quantities
i tend to spread it out rather than all in one place. every now and then, i find some ammo that i didn't even know that i had
It is a good idea to put them in a secure place, especially if you have kids around. they get into anything that is laying around that they can.
A locked closet or chest, or filing cabinet is quite adequate.
I was going to make an ammo storage cabinet out of plywood and went to get some and realized I could a kit for less then the plywood would have cost me. All I did was reinforce the shelf supports and add a padlock hasp. It won't keep anyone out who seriously wants in, but it will discourage the casual nosy person.
A locked closet or chest, or filing cabinet is quite adequate.
I was going to make an ammo storage cabinet out of plywood and went to get some and realized I could a kit for less then the plywood would have cost me. All I did was reinforce the shelf supports and add a padlock hasp. It won't keep anyone out who seriously wants in, but it will discourage the casual nosy person.
Another second for the ammo cans. I rough up and then repaint 'em with OD rust-oleum (the ones I get need a new coat of paint anyway, usually) then stencil them with the rough contents: 9 mil, 12 ga., &c.
Ammo cans are cheap, durable, waterproof (until they rust through), tough as nails, and good for all kinds of things like impromptu use as a BGA or a counterweight for something...
Ammo cans are cheap, durable, waterproof (until they rust through), tough as nails, and good for all kinds of things like impromptu use as a BGA or a counterweight for something...
Loonie;
I sell safes, and I'm gonna tell you do not store your ammo in a safe. If for any reason the ammo should ignite, the safe will become a bomb. If you don't like the ammo can idea, get a sheet metal, or plastic, shelved storage cabinet & use that. Most of them have a provision to lock. What's more important, they won't contain the gases of ammo burning & raise the internal pressure into bomb status.
900F
I sell safes, and I'm gonna tell you do not store your ammo in a safe. If for any reason the ammo should ignite, the safe will become a bomb. If you don't like the ammo can idea, get a sheet metal, or plastic, shelved storage cabinet & use that. Most of them have a provision to lock. What's more important, they won't contain the gases of ammo burning & raise the internal pressure into bomb status.
900F
countertop
Member
+1
Why would you worry about sticking <$100 worth of ammo in a safe???
Heck, I blow through that much in a single range session.
JohnBT
Member
how to store ammo?
I have 10 or 12 ammo cans, but most of my ammo is in Rubbermaid storage tubs under the bed. Well, there were a few cases of Wolf .22 that didn't fit, so they're over in the corner with a case of .38 Sp. match wadcutters and a few flats of 28 ga. shells. Oh, and a bunch of 3" 12 ga. Hevi-Shot I got a deal on.
I think I need more tubs and a bigger bed.
John
I have 10 or 12 ammo cans, but most of my ammo is in Rubbermaid storage tubs under the bed. Well, there were a few cases of Wolf .22 that didn't fit, so they're over in the corner with a case of .38 Sp. match wadcutters and a few flats of 28 ga. shells. Oh, and a bunch of 3" 12 ga. Hevi-Shot I got a deal on.
I think I need more tubs and a bigger bed.
John
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I'll agree that surplus ammo cans are the way to go. Easy to carry, stackable, and cheap.
Even if they're a bit rusty, it's easy to rehab them in about fifteen minutes with some sandpaper and a can of Krylon.
Even if they're a bit rusty, it's easy to rehab them in about fifteen minutes with some sandpaper and a can of Krylon.
Silver Bullet
Member
Could you elaborate on this, please ? We’ve had numerous threads here that concluded that ammunition will not “shoot” in a fire unless they’re the single cartridge loaded in a firearm in the barrel position. That is, the unloaded cartridge would just heat up and harmlessly push the bullet out. Since there’s no barrel, there’s no acceleration imparted to the bullet. Once the bullet clears the case, the gases expand in all directions.
I’m guessing you’re saying that if a lot of cartridges heat up simultaneously in a relatively airtight container that the container will eventually explode from all the expanding gasses.
I think my ammo cans are much more airtight than my safe.
What you’re saying kinda bugs me. One of the reasons I have ammo in a safe is to avoid liability if some kids were to find the ammo and do something uncalled for.
odysseus
Member
+1 on surplus ammo cans. Make sure the rubber seal around the lid is good. It's better to have them in manageable containers.
Silver;
How does a bomb work? Explosives are ignited in a sealed container, not so? If you're ammo is stored in a container that may be exposed to conditions that will heat the ammo to ignition temperature, and the container has a blow out panel, or is of light enough construction to rupture easily, there will be a venting of high temperature gasses. However, if the container indeed contains until gas pressure rises to cause catastrophic failure, that would seem to fit most definitions of bomb IMHO.
Ever made a sparkler bomb? Same principle.
900F
How does a bomb work? Explosives are ignited in a sealed container, not so? If you're ammo is stored in a container that may be exposed to conditions that will heat the ammo to ignition temperature, and the container has a blow out panel, or is of light enough construction to rupture easily, there will be a venting of high temperature gasses. However, if the container indeed contains until gas pressure rises to cause catastrophic failure, that would seem to fit most definitions of bomb IMHO.
Ever made a sparkler bomb? Same principle.
900F
Silver Bullet
Member
Sounds like you're confirming what I said in my second paragraph. Are most safes that airtight ? Mine has holes to allow bolting to the floor, and some have holes to allow a goldenrod power cord.
I understand the principle, I just never heard of this happening with ammo in a safe.
Thank you for your reply, though. And I prefer milk with chili.
I understand the principle, I just never heard of this happening with ammo in a safe.
Thank you for your reply, though. And I prefer milk with chili.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
I'm sceptical on the ammo safe becoming a bomb proposition.
Unlike black powder, modern propellants do NOT explode in open air. They burn rapidly, and there is a difference.
Laying aside how ammo would ignite in a closed safe, and continue combustion without a fresh air supply, I'd think that a lot of ammo burning in a room would be just about as catastrophic as that same amount of ammo burning in a safe.
3 possibilities exist:
1) The safe would contain the expanded gases, which would then sublimate out slowly.
2) The expanding gases would find their way out of whatever air channels it could find, in a hot jet.
3) The safe would fail at it's weakest point, and "blow out" there. I doubt that this would become anything like a schrapnel bomb.
Unlike black powder, modern propellants do NOT explode in open air. They burn rapidly, and there is a difference.
Laying aside how ammo would ignite in a closed safe, and continue combustion without a fresh air supply, I'd think that a lot of ammo burning in a room would be just about as catastrophic as that same amount of ammo burning in a safe.
3 possibilities exist:
1) The safe would contain the expanded gases, which would then sublimate out slowly.
2) The expanding gases would find their way out of whatever air channels it could find, in a hot jet.
3) The safe would fail at it's weakest point, and "blow out" there. I doubt that this would become anything like a schrapnel bomb.
aguyindallas
Member
I previously had a Homak locking gun cabinet. Its the cheap, thin steel that has two locks on it. Holds about 8 long guns and has a small shelf at the top. When I upgraded to a regular Residential Security Container (read: Gun Safe), I took my gold old Homak out to the garage.
I simply cut some 1x4 to make legs for inside the safe and cut some plywood to be the shelves. Now, I have a locking ammo container. My climate in the North Texas area is fairly dry, so I dont have too much in the way of moisture to worry about.
Works great and it is about a $100.00 investment that will go a long way.
I simply cut some 1x4 to make legs for inside the safe and cut some plywood to be the shelves. Now, I have a locking ammo container. My climate in the North Texas area is fairly dry, so I dont have too much in the way of moisture to worry about.
Works great and it is about a $100.00 investment that will go a long way.
usp9
Member
What is the difference...
...between a ammo can and a safe? By your definition they are both bombs. I do keep my ammo in a safe for the obvious reasons. They are locked up, away from mischievious hands. A safe isn't as portable or easy to open. I use one of the less expensive, $79 Wal Mart 8 guns safe, that I put shelves in to hold the several thousand rounds I usually have on hand. Works great.
While my safe is not fireproof, should my home catch fire, my guns and ammo will be low on the priority list.
...between a ammo can and a safe? By your definition they are both bombs. I do keep my ammo in a safe for the obvious reasons. They are locked up, away from mischievious hands. A safe isn't as portable or easy to open. I use one of the less expensive, $79 Wal Mart 8 guns safe, that I put shelves in to hold the several thousand rounds I usually have on hand. Works great.
While my safe is not fireproof, should my home catch fire, my guns and ammo will be low on the priority list.
aguyindallas
Member
Cosmoline
Member
Modern centerfire ammo is incredibly durable. I've left unprotected boxes of .38 Special in snow drifts all winter, then found them with their cardboard melted off in the spring, rounds laying on the ground. All of those fired without a hitch. Ammo cans work well, but don't get too worked up about the stuff.
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