Storing ammo in a hot car?

[Lone_Sheep_Dog]

Now that summer is just about here, I have a question. Is it bad to keep ammunition in a car during a hot sunny day? Do the high temps ruin the ammo? I am thinking about doing an experiment with keeping ammo in a hot car for several months and seeing if it still shoots okay.

 

[.38special]

When I lived in the Texas heat my ammo performed just fine after being in my truck for a few days.

 

[stickhauler]

Unless your car gets so hot it bursts into flames, you have no problem.

 

[toivo]

Some rimfire target ammo has a lot of lube on it. In a closed car on a hot summer day, the lube will melt and run "downhill." The ammo will still work fine--it just won't have as much lube on it. You can use a rag to redistribute the lube--after all, you paid good money for it.

 

[WardenWolf]

The Magtech .45 ACP in my Ruger P90 shot just fine after a couple of years in my car in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

[mach 2]

I was under the impression that heating ammo would raise the pressure and the velocity. The History channel ran a piece about Rob Furlong's 1 1/2 mile shot at a Taliban gentleman. Before taking the shot, he let a few .50 cal rounds heat up a bit. That said, I have never heard of pressures being raised to dangerous levels due to heating

Len

 

[Vonderek]

Seems to work fine in 100+ degree deserts.

 

[wishin]

That's why the wars we're currently engaged in are so expensive. All those air conditioned vehicles they use for ammo storage aren't cheap.

 

[Walkalong]

It gets well over 100 degrees in vehicles around these parts, and it has never hurt ammo in pistols left in a car during the day.

Sure, a 120 degree cartridge will have a bit more pressure than one at 70 degrees, but enough to be a problem? Not so far. I shoot on days when the temps are 99 & 100 in the shade. I test all my loads in the middle of the summer to make sure they are safe even in high temps. If I work up a load in the cooler months, it always gets checked in the heat of the summer.

 

[lions]

Whenever someone asks about storing ammo it is always said to keep it in a cool, dry place. I don't keep ammo in my car long enough to worry about it but, can excessive heat degrade gun powder in the long term? How long and how much heat would it take?

 

[Vonderek]

That's why the wars we're currently engaged in are so expensive. All those air conditioned vehicles they use for ammo storage aren't cheap.

?? Please clarify.

 

[kingpin008]

?? Please clarify.

Sarcasm.

He's saying that if ambient air temp was actually an issue when it comes to ammo storage, the military would be keeping all the ammo for the troops in air conditioned rooms, rather than huge steel shipping containers in the middle of the desert.

 

[longdayjake]

I have had my 6.5 grendel ammo blow primers after I left them in my truck. That said, I shot them while they were still hot so that may have had something to do with it. When cool they didn't blow any primers.

 

[Palehorseman]

Here along the Colorado River in AZ, 130 degrees is not unheard, of with 120-125 being common.

My ammo resides for the most part in uncooled garage year round. no problems that aware of.

Now the lube leaking out of the lubricator/sizer is another story.

 

[dakota1911]

I also live in the SW and have not had a problem so far. Now loading mags and shooting can be less fun when it is really hot.

 

[Sheldon J]

Mythbusters did one on hot ammo some time back n it takes about 350 degrees to cook it off, and short term in your car may hit 170 but not on the floor or trunk, after several years it could deteriorate but not on the short.

 

[Stirling XD]

Ammo is fine. It's the canned biscuits that you have to worry about.

 

[leadcounsel]

Covered extensively on THR - ammo is perfectly fine in hot vehicles.

 

[goon]

For long term storage I'd prefer something that stays cooler, but for ammo that you're going to use before it will be OK.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Even on a hot summer day in Phoenix (110+) with the sun shining through the glass and on an exposed area like the dashboard or seat, it is only about 160 degrees. (Out of curiosity I actually once set a thermometer on the dash.) In a closed darkened part of the vehicle (under a seat or in the trunk) it is not that hot. It would take at least several months of constant exposure to the hottest parts of the car to affect anything, not a few hours or days.

 

[Ala Dan]

I can't offer much of an explanation for my actions; but I try not to do
it. I would much rather store ammo in a cool, dry place if at all possible~!

 

[konfederate.kowboy]

honestly one time i had a brick of .22s on my dash that busted open and now some of them are in my heater vents but no problems so far. of course they have only been there for a couple of years now but only time will tell.