storing ammo in pvc tube

[JO JO]

been reading about long term ammo storage ideas the pvc tube looks
interesting anyone try/use this idea , seems like it would stay moisture
free with loose ammo and a silica package, not thinking of bearing them
just a neat long term idea,

 

[Reloadron]

I can't see the point of using PVC tubing or pipe when standard ammunition cans in good condition with a gasket work just fine. By the time I fill 4" PVC pipe and seal both ends with glued caps I can load an ammunition can, add desiccant and seal it. I am not saying PVC is a bad idea, I just see ammunition cans as more practical, plus they have a handle.

Ron

 

[latesvak]

I myself sell the PVC pipe and fittings and I don't believe it to be any cheaper the a ammo can. Plus the inside will always smell like primer/ glue.




Latesvak

 

[rcmodel]

And you have to saw the pipe glued cap off to get the ammo out of it.

While running the risk of sawing into the ammo.

Seems like a solution looking for a problem.

Vac seal bags, or desiccant packs if you must.

But I have Korean war era 30-06 ammo in steel GI ammo cans that is as good today as it was then.
And GI ammo isn't packed with desiccant packs either.

If there isn't moisture in a GI ammo can when you snap the lid shut, there never will be.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

If you go PVC, use a screw on/in cap. If you glue a cap on the end with ammo in it the glue will corrode ammo. Noxious stuff.

It's hard to beat ammo cans for ammo storage.

 

[blarby]

But burying GI cans wont work !

Sigh.....

 

[dfsixstring]

I guess I'm not really seeing the point of all of this. What are you trying to achieve with this method of storage?


RST4S
SR9c
LCP

 

[wgaynor]

Sounds like the OP wants to cache his ammo. Without getting into the details of why, I think it's possible but you have some problems to deal with. One is moisture. The pipe needs to be sealed. second is the air inside. With fluctuating temperatures, you can have moisture in the air possibly affecting the ammo. I'd use dessicant packs (or hand warmers).

Integrity of the materials is another issue. If burying deep, you'll have the earth on top and on the sides applying pressure. Add to that mix any object on top of the ground applying pressure can also be problematic.

It is doable, but there are other methods.

Take a shovel, dig a pit (think of a fox hole) and line it with cinder blocks. Use fencing tpost across the top lashed together for the roof. Inside, place your ammo cans with a dessicant pack in them.

Cover the entire structure with dirt or cover.

Open in an emergency. Just don't forget where you bury it.

Google will be your best tool with this project. That's how I found:
http://dont-tread-on.me/?p=12732

 

[W.E.G.]

I bet the ammo can would work just fine if the ammo inside the can were properly packed in heavy-gauge plastic bags. The can would just provide structural support to protect its contents from being crushed.

I would want the ammo in the same sort of bags if it were buried in PVC.

At least the ammo can makes a decent storage container once its been dug up and dried out.
Some goofy PVC tube not so much.

If I find myself in a situation where I need to bury my ammo, I'm moving before I need to bury it.

 

[leadcounsel]

Maybe to bury the brass cased ammo so it's not detected by a metal detector??

But I agree, for normal storage, ammo cans are affordable, stackable, practical, useful, and have handles.

 

[Jeff H]

If you go PVC, use a screw on/in cap.

Best answer if you feel the need to bury the ammo. If you are concerned that the threaded fitting won't be completely air tight, use some teflon tape.

 

[rcmodel]

Ammo buried in a PVC pipe CAN be detected by a metal detector.

The ammo is still metal, regardless of what you bury it in.

rc

 

[JO JO]

no interest in bearing ammo I do have ammo cans with silica packs for the stock, I was reading an article about the pvc with screw cap on one side looked like a different idea, was thinking might be an idea for bulk reloads say 100 + in a tube out the door grab a tube go to range unscrew load up and have fun ? It was an interesting article/idea anyway,

 

[mdi]

One thought; GI ammo cans are getting expensive and harder to find. No one locally (or the next town north or south) has them so the only way I can get them is order on line and hope the ones I buy aren't too rusty. The last one I bought came with about 1/2 cup of water in it...

 

[GCBurner]

I picked up a couple of Winchester brand PVC military-style ammo boxes at Dicks Sporting Goods the other day for around $14 apiece. Much handier than PVC pipe, and they have a carry handle.

 

[Reloadron]

Actually using a GI type ammo can could work and the can buried. The cans could be sprayed or dipped in a variety of spray on rubber coatings. However, I still don't get the point? OK, PVC pipe is plastic and will not be detected by a metal detector. But it would be stuffed with metallic ammunition that is easily detected. Rest assured, if it is down there it can be very easily detected. So back to what's the point?

Ron

 

[blarby]

Well, chapter 1 in the tin-foil hat handbook suggests tilling the area of your "cache" site with nails in a roughly 40' x 40' area extending away from your "cache" to deter wood-be cache-robbers with metal detectors.

PVC is mentioned mainly due to its availability in considerable sizes, many of which would be sufficient to conceal entire assembled rifles, food stashes, and tooling- not just the pertinent ammunition.

In addition, PVC piping is assembled and modified using simple tooling, wheras metal piping requires special tooling, and is subject to extreme corrosion.

 

[Centaur 1]

And you have to saw the pipe glued cap off to get the ammo out of it.

While running the risk of sawing into the ammo.

Seems like a solution looking for a problem.

Vac seal bags, or desiccant packs if you must.

But I have Korean war era 30-06 ammo in steel GI ammo cans that is as good today as it was then.
And GI ammo isn't packed with desiccant packs either.

If there isn't moisture in a GI ammo can when you snap the lid shut, there never will be.

rc

Go with the vacuum seal bags, your ammo will be just as dry as pvc and it take up less room. If you're looking to start storing things long term, a vacuum sealing machine is a must have item. Perishables like rice and flour will last 50 years if sealed in a vacuum bag. I even use mine to protect important documents.

 

[kingmt]

Does anyone read before they post?

 

[shiftyer1]

I can see a use for storing in pvc, not necessarily below ground but in an old leaky shed. Or if one has a hunting camp just to keep an xtra box of rounds or 2 on site.

Have you ever got to camp and forgot ammo? I store in ammo cans but I would be more comfortable using pvc for outdoor storage. If you want a handle throw some paracord inside.......

I live in the country and all my plumbing is pvc so I keep some and fittings on hand. It works good for chicken feeders/waterers and potato guns too

 

[leadcounsel]

Just held a bullet against a magnet. Brass, lead, and copper don't appear to be magnetic. Hence it would be largely undetectible if buried as long as there's no metal core to the bullet.

 

[W.E.G.]

Just held a bullet against a magnet. Brass, lead, and copper don't appear to be magnetic. Hence it would be largely undetectible if buried as long as there's no metal core to the bullet.

Metal detectors are not magnetometers.

Metal detectors search for conductive material.
If the buried material will conduct electricity, the metal detector will find it whether its gold, steel, brass, aluminum, or any other conductive metal.

Some metal detectors have the ability to distinguish the size and type of metal.

 

[italy4nra]

Narrowness of PVC vs can will challenge metal detector. Burying top below four feet and covering with metal junk at two feet foils attempts further.

Warning: pulling PVC pipe out of the ground when buried vertically is a major PITA. They become extremely brittle after even just a few years. Chance of pulling out an intact "can" is very very low single digits without a major archeological dig around the tube to its base. If this matters, avoid the PVC, or invest in fishing tackle ;-)

 

[Jeff H]

Warning: pulling PVC pipe out of the ground when buried vertically is a major PITA. They become extremely brittle after even just a few years. Chance of pulling out an intact "can" is very very low single digits without a major archeological dig around the tube to its base.

That's why it is used for every buried waste and sewer line in the country right? Oh, and a ton of smaller storm lines too .

 

[Walkalong]

We are straying into fantasy land, and it was never really about reloading anyway.

Under normal circumstances, ammo cans are the best thing going for short or long term ammo storage.