Plastic can ammo storage

[Axis II]

do you guys think the 50 cal GI cans hold more than the plastic HF cans? I'm debating getting a few 50cal cans for more room but if Its not much more room ill pass.

 

[WestKentucky]

I avoid the plastic cans. Way to many people I know lost ammo in the flood of 2016 down here that had it stored in plastic ammo cans.
I think they are great for bringing ammoto the range, but not for long term storage.

My back yard has an 80 ft elevation drop from my back door. If my house floods we have bigger issues.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

My back yard has an 80 ft elevation drop from my back door. If my house floods we have bigger issues.

The plastic cans don’t seal as good as the military metal cans, and you can’t stack them as high.

 

[rust collector]

Wait, are those plastic cans just to the right of the GI boxes in the bottom pic?
Agree with you, Gunny that metal seals and remains intact longer than plastic. Plastic works great for a trip to the range or interim storage, but the long term solution is probably spam cans and the next best thing is the GI box. I paid $8 each for the last dozen US made ones I picked up from PSA, and that included shipping. A 50 will hold 1000 7.62x39 if loaded just right, and although you don't want to have to move that weight, they're not going to float away.

 

[George P]

Most folks floors cannot handle that #/sf weight like that. I find the plastic cans to seal just as well and - if caught in a fire - will melt and let the rounds safely cook off as opposed to letting the pressure build and create a lot of bombs with shrapnel.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Wait, are those plastic cans just to the right of the GI boxes in the bottom pic?
Agree with you, Gunny that metal seals and remains intact longer than plastic. Plastic works great for a trip to the range or interim storage, but the long term solution is probably spam cans and the next best thing is the GI box. I paid $8 each for the last dozen US made ones I picked up from PSA, and that included shipping. A 50 will hold 1000 7.62x39 if loaded just right, and although you don't want to have to move that weight, they're not going to float away.

Yes. There where three until yesterday. I gave one to my sister when she came by yesterday, along with 300 rounds of 9mm FMJ and 20 rounds of 12ga Tactical 00 Buck. She’s my sweet little sister.

Most folks floors cannot handle that #/sf weight like that. I find the plastic cans to seal just as well and - if caught in a fire - will melt and let the rounds safely cook off as opposed to letting the pressure build and create a lot of bombs with shrapnel.

Yes, the plastic cans do seal good, but not as good as the metal ones. Have you ever dropped test a full plastic ammo can? They tent to crack.
I guess you have never seen a metal ammo can that went through a fire. The cans do not explode. They will also contain the pieces of the bullets that cook off. You will have more stuff flying around when the ammo cooks off after a plastic can melts.
Now on the plus side the plastic cans are lighter, cost less and don’t rust.

 

[BSA1]

do you guys think the 50 cal GI cans hold more than the plastic HF cans? I'm debating getting a few 50cal cans for more room but if Its not much more room ill pass.

They are useful for storing other items as well as ammo.

10 30 round Magpul AR magazines fit perfectly in a metal GI can. 5 fit lengthwise on the bottom with the other 5 stacked on top. There is some room leftover in length for other items such as extra ammunition and earplugs. Makes it real easy when going to the range and for bug-out especially if you preload the mags.

I want to get some 20 round magazines and experiment with them. 10 magazines might fit crossways ( 5 on the bottom and 5 on top) leaving a lot of spare room. 10 loaded mags (200 rounds) and another spare 200+ rounds (stripper clips sounds space efficient and convenient) makes for a great grab and go can.

I have been thinking of experimenting with lining a can with some foam and putting a small pistol, extra mags and ammunition in. Modify the can so it can be padlocked shut and it will make a very secure, rugged, easily transportable container.

They work well for stuff you don't want getting banged up or wet such as a PACT Timer and optics. Go to youtube and watch Sootch00 videos. He has some great ideas.



One of the reasons I go to gun shows a couple times a year is to buy more cans although I have considerably fewer than gunny. However there is a gun show in March that I hope to acquire several more both 30 and 50 caliber cans. (I have a lot of uses planned for them this year).

 

[WestKentucky]

I'm now up to 30 of the HF and Wal-Mart specials which are identical except for color and label. My coffee table will no longer hold them all. All but 5 have dessicant in them now. Now on to buying more to arrange the surplus fishing lures into...

 

[BSA1]

I forgot to mention that full size handgun magazines without extended base pads such as for the 1911 and 15 round double stack will fit perfectly crossways in a 50 caliber. I have somewhere around 40 magazines stored in one with room for more, probably around 50 total. It sure makes it easier than having them scattered all over the man cave.

 

[George P]

I guess I don't see the need to have that many preloaded where I live

 

[WestKentucky]

I forgot to mention that full size handgun magazines without extended base pads such as for the 1911 and 15 round double stack will fit perfectly crossways in a 50 caliber. I have somewhere around 40 magazines stored in one with room for room, probably around 50 total. It sure makes it easier than having them scattered all over the man cave.

2 of my plastic boxes are devoted to mags. One is full of 223/5.56 AR mags, the other is other mags. Since the only bottomfeeders in my stable are easily distinguishable I just pitched them in together. It's a mix of m9, g42, hp22a, and marlin 62, and 6.8AR. The 6.8 mags are my only black metal AR mags, all my other metal mags are gray.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I guess I don't see the need to have that many preloaded where I live

You never know when the Taliban are going to show up your neighborhood.

 

[BSA1]

To paraphrase Tuco:

"When you have to shoot shoot. Don't load magazines."

 

[boom boom]

I read the description on MTM's plastic ammo boxes, it says water "resistant". If you risk flood or fire, I would suggest the metal over plastic. Range use, plastic is fine.

 

[George P]

You never know when the Taliban are going to show up your neighborhood.

Around here it would JWs and lots of old retired folks working for one cause or another

 

[DavidABQ]

I have some of both and I prefer the MTM 50 cal. plastic cans. Lighter weight, larger handle which is nice when they are loaded up. Downside is quite frankly they are not as durable as the metal ones. They crack when dropped.

 

[Axis II]

So reading this thread on lunch reminded me I wanted to check out the 50cal metal cans at rural king. Every review I found says they are great for the modest price of $10. I picked up a desert tan one cause I figured it would make me tacticool.

For the price I'm very happy and yes I know they are made in china but our local gun shows don't have the mil surp guys like they used to and they want $15+ for used cans. I had 3-4 22lr bricks and maybe 500rds of 50rd packs in 2-3 different plastic HF cans and put every piece in the 50cal Rural king can and it locks up and seals nice. yeah its $10 which is more expensive than the HF cans but now I don't have 3 cans of 22lr I have one can. Wish I knew about these RK cans before spending $13 on 3 HF cans.