leadheads: how do you store your loads?

[JeepGeeek]

I'm looking to load up 1000+ rounds each for several calibers both pistol and rifle:

Being that these will by far and above be lead projectiles, I have to rethinik my storage.

When I was planning this originally with FMJ projectiles, I was going to just load them up, then store in ziplocks.

Will that damage the loads if I go the same route with lead bullets? I'm using Tumble-lube Lee molds, and of course the mold gets all over the projectile. I'm wondering if the cartridge brass rubbing on the exposed lead and lube in baggies as above will cause problems with lube not being where it's needed on the bullets, and causing problems on the shellcasing in the chamber by way of interfering with cartridge/chamber fit. (IE: the instructions specifically say that you should remove all lube as it can cause a problem- what, I have no idea-- but am smart enough to know to take the advice of the experts like Mr. Lee, who's been doing this for many more decades than I have been alive.)

Now- if anyone knows where I can find a lot of those oldschool cartridge boxes with the internal cardboard dividers instead of the plastic dividers in modern boxes, that would help too. Nothing vintage necessarily-- I'm not paying $5 for a cardboard box

 

[Sunray]

"...the mold gets all over the projectile..." The what? Unless I'm very confused, again, the bullet lube goes on after the bullet is cast and sized. Any bullet lube that gets on the case needs to be removed. Lube on the part of the bullet sticking out of the case doesn't matter.
When the bullets are seated, there shouldn't be any part of the lubed bullet sticking out of the case. Storing loaded ammo in plastic bags shouldn't bother them.
"...where I can find..." Midway sells them. 100 boxes with styrofoam trays for 20 rounds of .30-06, for example, runs $40.99. $38.99 for .308 based cartridges. They have 'em for pistol ammo as well. 25 50 round boxes for .45's runs $12.79, on sale. $14.29 regularly. However, the plastic boxes will do as well.

 

[Ifishsum]

Sunray, he meant to say the lube gets all over the projectile - the Lee Liquid Alox is used to tumble lube which lightly coats the entire bullet, not just the base.

JeepGeek, I don't think your bullets would get damaged but the lube could potentially be a problem if you bulk packaged them. It dries pretty hard, but I don't think I'd risk it rubbing onto the cases. As Sunray said, Midway sells all sorts of cartridge boxes. I use the plastic MTM ones that are about $2.50-3.00 each. As to the lube on the nose of the bullet, you could clean it off with mineral spirits once you loaded it into the case, but that would be time consuming and potentially contaminate your load if some crept past the bullet into the case.

 

[Jacka L Ope]

I used to store my ammo in those plastic boxes. But not anymore. These days, I prefer to store them in surplus ammo cans and, for the most part, in bulk:



In the above examples, each bag contains 100 rounds and each can contains an added 40 gram silica gel dessicant unit. Otherwise, ammo is loaded in magazines ready to go.

{late edit} None of the ziploc bags pictured above are sealed. All are unzipped to the open yet sealed storage space that comprise each can. In that manner, the added silica gel units are available to the contents of each and every bag to prevent rust, mildew, corrosion of other spoilage.

Cheers!

 

[qajaq59]

If you have access to one of those vacuum sealers that people use for food I would think that would be an excellent way to store them in groups of 100. They'd be air tight and the bullets wouldn't be moving around spreading lube on the cases.

 

[dmftoy1]

For rifle ammo I store them in MTM or Berrysmfg plastic boxes . . . . . . but I rarely load up more than say 500-600 rounds of rifle ammo. For .45 acp ammo I used to put it all in MTM or Berry's boxes (and still do for 1k of it) but the other 2-3k that I load in a session goes into 30cal ammo cans. As I empty the pretty plastic boxes I transfer the reloading data from the top of the ammo cans to the plastic boxes and refill the plastic ones. I don't think you really need to worry too much about the lead being damaged unless you're carrying it around packed loose in the back of your truck . .and even then . . . The most important part of the lead bullet (accuracy wise) is the part that's contained in the neck of the brass.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[JeepGeeek]

the vac sealer is an excellent idea. I may have to grab one

 

[MaterDei]

Berrysmfg plastic boxes

+1

 

[Griz44]

+1 on the MTM/Berry boxes.
I usually just keep 1500 or so ahead of my anticipated outings. I lube my own cast boolits a couple of days in advance of loading so I don't get lube dryout on long term stored lead. I usually have 1500-2000 cast boolits on the shelf, naked waiting for lube. At present I keep around 10K worth of primers and powder ahead of the curve, and will cast boolits whenever the mood strikes me. I do keep 200-300 pounds of lead on hand and around 5K cases at any given time.

 

[redneck2]

the vac sealer is an excellent idea. I may have to grab one

I've never used one for ammo, but you can cook a bunch of chicken ahead on the barbecue and freeze it. All you have to do is later is microwave it.

 

[JeepGeeek]

well cool-

I can use it to store the bullets, then to store Bambi

 

[Jacka L Ope]

{late edit} None of the ziploc bags pictured above are sealed. All are unzipped to the open yet sealed storage space that comprise each can. In that manner, the added silica gel units are available to the contents of each and every bag to prevent rust, mildew, corrosion of other spoilage.

 

[Floppy_D]

Ziplocs and ammo cans for me, no problems to date.

 

[snuffy]

Here's my solution to storage of ALL of my ammo.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=162428

They're built similar to MTM, but not as rugged. They can shatter if dropped on concrete, but they're cheap enough that tossing one doesn't concern me. I keep several 10 count boxes around to take the output of my progressive during a loading session. Once bought, they are re-cycled for the next batch.

All this concern about moisture is a solution to a non-existent problem. Normal humidity isn't a problem for reloaded ammo IF the neck tension and fit of the primer is good.

 

[scrat]

mtm, berrys boxes, midway boxes. then of course when im at the range and see someone shooting new stuff. i take the holders and the box. Then i reload and put them in the nice new free box.

 

[evan price]

I put my pistol ammo in same-caliber & weight factory ammo boxes with plastic trays. I scrounge them at the range. It's the best and cheapest way to store my pistol ammo. THen I pack the boxes in ammo cans.
No issues with lead bullets deforming but I don't drop 'em off trucks, either.

 

[04JRB]

I use the plastic ammo boxes, some are cabelas brand, some frankfort arsenal. I keep quite a few .223 loaded on hand and the 100count boxes work out well. for range trips I use 50 count boxes and for load development I have some 20 count plastic sleeve boxes.